If you need to mail a letter or a package and you’re out of stamps – I’ve got a solution...

If you’d rather not wait in line at a busy post office for stamps this season –print your own!

If you’re using the U.S. Postal Service to ship something, you can print your own Priority or Flat Rate shipping label straight off of their website. All you need to do is fill in the shipping information, pay with a credit card, and hit print. Here’s more good news: You can even arrange for the USPS to pick up your package – free of charge. Just go to USPS.com and click “Pay, Print & Ship.”

There’s a new trend in Christmas greetings this year...

Christmas cards should start arriving in the mail any day now – but some families are opting for the new trend of video Christmas cards...  

If you couldn’t get enough of the bragging Christmas letter trend, you’ll love these virtual gems. 

If you need some idea starters for your video Christmas card, there are plenty of them on YouTube. If you happen to be friends with the Brushwood family, you’ll get to watch them all baking cookies together in time lapse, wearing matching aprons. The Slade family invites you into their pool for their Blue Christmas, while the Burns family takes us on a tour of their tree, showing us every ornament, close up. 

Should you be buying gifts for people at work? Let's ask the queen of etiquette...

The holidays can open up some great opportunities to get to know and bond with your coworkers – just try not to get too cozy...

Anna Post, great-great-grandaughter and author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette,” has some tips for handling the holidays at the office:

• Although managers sometimes give their team some gifts, don’t return the favor unless you’re going in on that as a group.

• If a coworker gives you a gift unexpectedly, don’t lie and say you left theirs at home. Just smile and thank them sincerely. 

• Leave your phone in your pocket during the holiday party. It’s not okay to take and post pictures of your coworkers letting their hair down.

Above all else, don’t get drunk. You hear this every year but the repercussions can be a lot longer lasting than the hangover or lamp shade on the head of the old days. There are cameras everywhere now and inappropriate party behavior can do some significant damage to you personally or professionally. 

It’s only natural a cat would want to climb your Christmas tree...

Who could blame a cat for being intrigued by the giant tree you drag into your house...

There are a few effective tricks that will help prevent kitty from undecorating or toppling your Christmas tree:

• Citrus: Cats don’t like it. Peel an orange and tuck the peels into some of the lower branches. You’ll probably have to repeat this in a few days to keep the cat at bay.

• Tin foil: Most cast would rather not walk on it, however, the lure of the tree may be greater than the fear of the foil after a few days.

• Double sided tape: Cats can’t stand to walk on anything sticky. Large strips of double-sided adhesive under your tree should do the trick.

Keep in mind a rambunctious cat may try for a flying leap onto the top of your tree from nearby furniture. If possible, move potential platforms away or put some double sided tape on any launching surfaces.

Hey guys – that beer belly could be making you weak.The risk brewing in your bones...

New research says guys with beer bellies have a higher chance of developing osteoporosis... 

That condition, usually associated with older women, can leave you with weak and fragile bones. The Harvard Medical School study says men who drink a lot of beer and wind up with that classic beer belly had bones twice as weak as men with all-over body fat.  

Which of your children is most likely to grow up to be President of the United States?

If one of your children aspires to be President one day, let’s hope it’s the first born...

A recent study found that first borns have the best shot at that job. Nobel Laureates and NASA Astronauts are also overwhelmingly first borns. 

Your middle child has got some promising potential too. They’re usually very good at negotiating. They excel in the fields of nursing and law enforcement and are typically the most satisfied with their career choice. 

Your adorable, charming baby may not earn as much as the others – but they’ve got the best shot at being a rock star or pro athlete. Last borns will likely thrive in a creative atmosphere and often wind up in the journalism, advertising, design or technical fields. 

So what about that only child? Although they tend to hate criticism, they typically strive to meet your expectations. You may have a bigger impact on their future path than you know.

Could your prescription be putting you and others at risk on the road? Common car crash causing drugs...

You know better than to drink and drive – but what about that prescription drug you, or the driver near you, might be taking...

A recent study took a look at some common prescription drugs and the drivers who take them, as prescribed. The results yielded some concerning connections between certain drugs and the chances of being involved in a car crash. The riskiest drug categories were antidepressants, anti-anxiety and Z-drugs, or sleeping pills. Here are some of the common prescription drugs that could be putting you at risk:

• Antidepressants: Prozak, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro

• Anti-anxiety: Xanax, Klonopin, Vlium and Ativan

• Z-drugs: Ambien and Sonata

If you take any of these drugs, it’s a good idea to discuss this risk with your doctor. The time of day you take your prescription, or

If you’re ready to fill that plate with food, use your hands...

There is a lot of advice out there about portion sizes...

...and you can skip the scales, measuring cups, apps and deck of card comparisons. It turns out we’ve all got a built, personalized portion control tool right in the palm of our hand. Our hands are relative to our body size and they can help us easily determine appropriate portions of food. Measuring your meals by hand is pretty simple. Here are your suggested serving sizes:

• Your palm size determines your protein portions.

• Your fist determines your vegetable portions.

• Your cupped hand determines your carb portions.

• Your thumb determines your fat portions.

Good news if you’re a guy. You can double those portions. The handheld portion chart for men uses both hands, while the average woman is better off using one hand.

How do you find a parking space at the busiest time of the year? Holiday parking strategies...

Chances are you’ll be headed to a crowded mall or shopping center in the next few weeks. So where are you going to park? 

Here are some effective holiday parking strategies for stressed out shoppers:

• Plan ahead. Instead of just hoping for the best, pick a time and a place. Generally speaking, the best times to find a good spot are 8:45 am, for a store that opens at 9, or later on in the afternoon. 4:00 pm is peak pooping-out time for the all-day shoppers limping to their cars. This gives you a jump on the evening dine-and-shoppers who will be hungry for spots at sunset. 

• If you prefer the prime-time hunt, prepare to circle your prey. Stay in close proximity to the entrance you’d like to use and keep your eye on the door. Try to make eye contact with exiting shoppers. Smile and wave if necessary. If you get the nod, you’ve probably scored a spot.

• If there is a parking garage involved, do yourself a favor and head straight for the roof. Not only are you more likely to find a spot, you’re less likely to forget what level you parked on. This strategy works at any time of the year.

The next time you check into a hotel, repeat after me: SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP. What that means...

If you’ll be checking into a hotel any time soon, don’t forget to SLEEP...

It’s the acronym you’ll need to remember to make sure you’re not climbing into bed with something nasty: bedbugs! According to the pest control experts at Orkin, bedbugs may be waiting in bed for you regardless of where you stay. They’ve developed the S.L.E.E.P. protocol reminder to help us avoid taking home any live souvenirs:

• S: SURVEY surfaces for signs of an infestation, such as tiny ink-colored spots on mattress tags and seams and bed skirts.

• L: LIFT and look for all bed bug hiding spots, including underneath the mattress, bed frame, headboard and furniture. Adults are about the size, shape and color of an apple seed when fully grown, and nymphs are about the size of a pinhead and ivory in color.

• E: ELEVATE your luggage on a luggage rack away from the bed and wall, since bed bugs can often hide behind head boards, artwork, picture frames and electrical outlet panels. Luggage can also be placed in a garbage bag or the bathtub.

• E: EXAMINE your belongings carefully while repacking and when you return home. Always keep luggage off the bed and store it in a closet or other area, far away from your bedroom. Keep dirty clothes contained in a sealed bag.

• P: PLACE all your clothing from your luggage immediately in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at the highest setting upon returning home from travel.

These pests may have a nasty reputation in bed – but keep in mind they might prefer your luggage. Bedbugs LOVE the smell body odor. If you plan on shoving those dirty clothes into your suitcase, consider wrapping them in a plastic bag with a bar of hotel soap first.  

Would you put your parents in a pod? A new trend in senior housing...

When the time comes that aging parents or grandparents can no longer live on their own, what can you do?

If you’ve got a back yard, you’ve got an option. With such a huge portion of the enormous Baby Boomer generation facing just that scenario, a Virginia company has come up with a solution in the form of their “Granny Pod.” It’s a 12 x 24 feet pop up abode that they say fits easily into the back yard of a standard American home. 

Technically called the MedCottage, it’s got a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen with available options such as safety lighting and a motorized lift to assist the caregiver. You can even add in a virtual companion for Mom or Dad in their pod which plays music and movies and will even remind them to take their medication. The “Granny Pod” sells for about $85,000 – but you’ll need to put aside another $40,000 or so for delivery and installation.

The price of pear trees is up - but the partridge is a bargain. This year’s 12 days of Christmas gift totals...

If you’re considering buying your true love all of those 12 days of Christmas gifts – it will cost you more this year...

Those 364 items are up 6.1 percent from last year. PNC Wealth Management has the 2012 price tags:

• Partridge, $15; the same as last year. 

• Pear tree, $189.99; up $20 from last year.

• Two turtle doves, $125; no change there.

• Three French hens, $165; $15 more than last year.

• Four calling birds (canaries), $519.96; last year: same.

• Five gold rings, $750; the price of that gold is up $105 from last year.

• Six geese a-laying, $210; last year: $162.

• Seven swans a-swimming, $7,000; last year, they were just $6,300.

• Eight maids a-milking, a mere $58, the same as last year.

• Nine ladies dancing (per performance), $6,294; last year: same.

• 10 lords a-leaping (per performance), $4,767; no more than last year.

• 11 pipers piping (per performance), $2,562; up from $2,428.

• 12 drummers drumming (per performance), $2,776; last year: $2,630.

Have you checked your backside lately? Why you may have a rash back there...

If you’ve got heated seats in your car – you could be at risk of toasted skin syndrome...

Dermatologists are discovering it on the backsides of more patients at this time of year. In most cases, victims have cranked their seat heaters oh high for a long trip or commute and wind up with a dark red web-like rash on the back of their thighs. The good news is that toasted skin syndrome is not an actual burn. It’s not serious and is considered more of a cosmetic issue. Toasted skin will fade over time but the concern is that an unusual rash may result in unnecessary testing if you’re not aware of the source.

Some toasted skin syndrome rashes have been cropping up on other body parts as well. The lap is at risk from resting your hot laptop there, as are ankles and shins from under-the-desk space heaters.

There’s a new bottle of Pepsi that claims to fight fat. Where to find Pepsi Special...

Wouldn't it be great if soda were good for you? 

That concept is already bubbling up in Japan. They are the first to try the new “healthy” soda called Pepsi Special. It’s a high-fiber version of Pepsi. They claim it’s a fat-blocking soda that will help to reduce cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar and reduce excess body fat. 

If you can’t wait to try the new healthy soda, you’re out of luck state-side. Pepsi Special is not expected to be popping up here any time soon. U.S. nutrition experts say Pepsi Special won’t pass the challenge of FDA standards.

The next time you go to a salad bar – take your own tongs. The dirtiest spots in a restaurant...

Restaurants are public places so it may come as no surprise that they’ve got public germs...

Unfortunately, those germs are on items we can’t avoid. Here are the dirtiest spots you’ll be hard pressed NOT to touch:

1. Your seat

2. The menus

3. Lemon wedges

4. Salt and pepper shakers

5. The table

6. The rim of your glass

7. Bathroom door handles

8. Bathroom faucets

9. Ketchup bottles

10. The salad bar thongs

If that grosses you out, don’t feel bad. You probably picked up even more germs at the gas station. The handles of gas pumps were found to be some of the filthiest things out there.

If you’re looking for a job – start tweeting. How Twitter tops LinkedIn...

Networking is an important tool in a job search – and Twitter is taking the social media lead now...

The experts at Mashable have some tips on how to tweet yourself into the right circles:

• Tweet like an industry expert. Share links that are relevant to your followers, adding commentary to the latest industry news. This shows that you’re keeping up with industry trends and gives potential employers a look into what you read and care about.

• Use hashtags such as #jobs, #recruiting or #advice. You can get more specific by using hashtags which include your desired position, industry, conferences or events.

• Start following people and companies you’d like to work for. Retweet their tweets on occasion or make smart or kind comments.

• Once you’ve established yourself professionally on Twitter, try taking it offline. Send private invitations for face-to-face meetings or telephone chats.

Peppers can be hot – really hot. How they’ll help your sex life...

It’s a well-known fact that oysters are considered to be an aphrodisiac – but peppers would like to get in on the act...

According to nutrition experts, peppers and pepper flakes can be very effective at spicing up your love life. That’s because spicy food gets our blood flowing. The chemical capsaicin in hot peppers stimulates our nerve endings. As a result, we start to sweat, our lips may swell and our heart rates increase, stimulating sex drive. 

If you’d rather go sweet than hot – chocolate is another option. Eating chocolate causes a rise in your serotonin levels, which will leave you feeling more relaxed and ultimately satisfied.

It’s open season on shoppers – and you’re in the cross-hairs. How to avoid those retail traps...

Buy one, get one free! 

It’s bound to make you look – but keep on walking. That’s a classic trap for shoppers and it’s a really effective one. According to Columbia University marketing professor Mark Cohen, those bundle offers are designed to trigger our impulse buying tendencies and it works like a charm. Another bundle offer to beware of is a percentage off if you buy two, or buy one get 1/2 off. These items are often the ones that don’t sell particularly well on their own.

Another classic shopping trap to watch for is disorganized or messy sales racks. They’re an effective lure to get shoppers frustrated and headed for the more organized, expensive racks.

First eggs were bad for us - then they were good for us. Could they really be bad for us again?

Do you like to eat eggs? If so, you could be at higher risk for heart disease...

That’s the latest news from researchers in the great egg debate – but this time, it’s not the eggs’ fault. According to David Katz, director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center, we would be wrong to jump to the conclusion that eggs are to blame for the heart problems. 

The study looked at people who ate eggs on a regular basis – however, it turns out that those egg-lovers tend to eat them with a side of something bad. The sausage, bacon or buttery toast on a regular basis is not doing our hearts any favors. Dr. Katz says that there is no real association between eggs alone and heart disease – as long as we skip the salt, butter and fatty meats on the side.

Another annual list is out. The most dangerous toys of 2012...

If your child has a Morphbot on their list for Santa this year – cross that off! 

It’s on the Most Dangerous Toys of 2012 list. Here are this year’s top offenders and their risks:

• Dora Backpack: high phthalate levels

• Dora Tunes Guitar: excessively loud

• FunKeys: excessively loud

• Snake Eggs: ingestion hazard

• Morphbot: high lead levels

• Just Like Home Super Play Food Sets: choking hazard

• Pullback Dragster Cars: choking hazard

• Explore and Learn Helicopter: strangulation hazard

• N-Force Vendetta Double Sword: impact injuries

• Power Rangers Super Samurai Shogun Helmet: puncture wound, impact injuries hazard

If you’ve still got Thanksgiving leftovers in your fridge – you may be pushing your luck...

Is there any Thanksgiving turkey still sitting in your fridge?

If so, toss it – you’ve passed the 4 day max for meat. The same goes for that stuffing, green bean casserole and the mashed potatoes. Good news for the cranberry sauce – that’s got about 10 more days of shelf life. If you just can’t part with that pie – you’re in luck. That lasts a week when refrigerated, or a year when frozen.

You might want to consider some stolen goods for gift-giving this year. Where to find the loot...

If you’re looking for a really special gift this year – don’t rule out something stolen...

At PropertyRoom.com, thousands of unclaimed stolen goods from across the country are up for bidding – and there’s bound to be something for everyone on there. Here are the most common stolen, or recovered items for sale:

• Bicycles

• Power Tools

• Gold Jewelry

• Laptops

• Cell Phones

• Hunting Equipment including crossbows and knives 

• Small Electronics and Apple Products

• Decorative Weapons 

• Lawn Mowers

• Small Boats

For the hard-to-shop for on your list, the Property Room also has an array of some unusual gifts:

• Peter Max orginal

• Rare 1895 U.S. $5 Gold Liberty Half Eagle coin

• Fender guitar

• Prosthetic leg

• Coffin - brand new, not used

If you’d like to get more out of your workout – there is one color that could do the trick...

Before you start that exercise routine – find something green...

New research suggests it can do wonders for your workout. Scientists put some colors to the challenge with a group of guys riding stationary bicycles in front of a projection screen. When the screen was green, those guys felt LESS fatigued and experienced more endurance than when other colors were displayed. 

The scientists explained the positive green energy phenomenon. As humans, we’re hardwired to perceive green as good. We associate it with lush greenery, abundant food and water nearby. While exercising outdoors is optimal, pulling some of those elements indoors with the color green may help to enhance your routine and your results.

Why not make sitting in the car a little more enjoyable? How to drive – feng shui style...

Driving can be stressful. We may as well go with the yin and yang of things and make the most of it...

Catherine Hilker, certified feng shui consultant, says most Americans are out-of-balance in their cars. We’re impatient with busy schedules, drive too fast and are easily distracted by gadgets. We are a yang culture. This means most of us need to get some yin into our cars to balance things out. Here’s how:

• Clear away clutter. Get rid of the empty water bottles, food wrappers, newspapers and other junk. Vacuum the carpets and seats and keep windows clean and unobstructed.

• Add touches of the right color to your car’s interior environment. Spread a blanket or scarf of the appropriate yin colors across your seat. Very dark colors help you slow down, earth tones keep you feeling grounded and stable and blue is soothing and calming. 

• Carry a meaningful icon or symbol. Choose an object that represents safety, tranquility, courtesy or good fortune. It can be visible or tucked away in your glove box.

If you felt bummed out after Thanksgiving, blame the sweet potatoes. Foods that make you sad...

Comfort food may make you feel better for a while...

...but some of them can actually make you sad in the long run. Drew Ramsey, author of “The Happiness Diet,” says some of our favorite foods actually have some depressing effects on us. Here’s the list:

• Sweet Potatoes: Candied or marshmallow casserole sweet potatoes start the suffering process for your brain and mood minutes after eating them. The high sugar levels do a number on our brain and nerve function. Naked sweet potatoes are fine. 

• Holiday Ham: Hams from factory farms are injected with sugar, salt and fillers that may leave you feeling full – with a migraine and swollen ankles.

• Margarine: It’s a fake food and our bodies don’t know how to deal with that. It can throw our insulin levels off and trigger a bad mood.

• Potato Chips: They may taste good – but the more you eat the more you’re blocking up your pleasure sensors with fatty acids.

• Bagels: They’re packed with refined carbs that crash energy and can kill a good mood. 

Is it too early to buy your Christmas tree?

If you’re waiting until this weekend or later to buy your Christmas tree – don’t...

According to forestry expert Steve Nix, choosing your tree a bit earlier will pay off in a fresher tree that will ultimately last longer. The majority of trees have been cut in mid-November. Those trees sit around in lots, crowded, manhandled and deprived of water. Now is your chance to save that tree from further trauma. 

As soon as you get your tree home, you’ll want to cut 4 inches from the base of the trunk and get it into water ASAP. If you’re ready to take your tree into your house this early, you’ll need to choose a cool spot away from drafts. It may look pretty next to the fireplace but it will dry out a lot faster there.

Adding milk to your tea cancels out health benefits – so what about your coffee?

In case you missed it, scientific research revealed that adding milk to your tea cancels out the cardiovascular benefits we get by drinking it straight up...

So what about coffee? Good news if you like it light and creamy. The researchers put milk in their coffee to the test and determined that it does NOT interfere with the health benefits. That’s because the hardy antioxidants in coffee don’t react to the proteins in the milk. The healthy compounds in both black and green tea are more finicky – and adding milk shuts them down and prevents our bodies from absorbing them.

Are you ready to rumble? Five things NOT to say at the Thanksgiving table...

Thanksgiving – a time for reflection, family and rubbing your relatives the wrong way...

Psycholgist Dr. Nicole Joseph has a list of five things NOT to discuss at the Thanksgiving table.

1. Always/never statements: “You never respect my decisions, Mom.” These statements can be inflammatory and can spark more conflict. Don’t re-hash the past; save it for another day.

2. Avoid the big three: politics, money, and religion. Just don’t expect everyone else to do the same. This was a big election year and you can only control yourself and your own reactions. Prepare to let controversial statements slide. 

3. Embarrassing stories about others: Although this may seem like fun to some family members, others may not be as appreciative. If there is a new significant other at the table, now is not the time to bring up family fiascos or single anyone out.

4. Negative family gossip: Sometimes people inadvertently stray onto the topic of family gossip and rumors. This is your cue to change the subject to something more positive and less personal. 

5. Discussion of eating or drinking habits: Thanksgiving is often a day of excess. Go with the flow. This is not the day to comment on others’ food choices or weight. If a family member has a known drinking problem, be prepared with a safety plan for yourself and an excuse to call it a night if things get uncomfortable. 

When is the last time your boss paid you a compliment. Some professional advice for the big cheese...

If you’re the boss – you may want to consider handing out some compliments today...

A new study from the University of Tokyo reveals that employees who receive some positive feedback get fired up to succeed. 

For the study, adults were divided into three groups and asked to perform the same task as fast and accurate as possible. Once completed, the first group received praise and compliments individually. The second group had to watch OTHERS receive compliments. The third group was on its own and had to self-evaluate. When asked to perform the test again, guess what? The group who had been praised individually significantly outperformed the other two. 

The researchers explained that the brain perceives that compliment as a mental paycheck. The study also suggests that those paying the compliments may benefit as well as long as the praise is sincere. Most people tend to work harder when they feel valued and that pays off for everyone in a team environment.

Dry winter air does a number on our skin – and our sinuses. How to fix that...

Now that the cold weather is setting in, most of us are drying up...

Less humidity outside and dry heat blasting inside can actually leave us more prone to catching a cold. That's because, like our skin, our sinuses get dehydrated and can’t fend off germs the way they should. According to Jordan Josephson, author of “Sinus Relief Now,” hydrating our sinuses can help to prevent a lot of winter ailments. 

Chances are, you’re missing some great opportunities to moisturize your sinuses several times a day. Start in the shower. Make a point of really breathing in that hot steam thoroughly. Don’t just drink that hot coffee or tea, inhale some of the steam. A hot, wet washcloth over face is another relaxing, hydrating method you can do any time of day. It’s also important not to crank up the heat in your home to high. Temperatures over 72 degrees will dry up your skin and sinuses, leaving the vulnerable.

Does counting sheep really help you fall asleep?

Counting sheep may be synonymous with sleep – but does that method really help? 

A group of researchers at Oxford University decided to put the sheep technique to the sleep test and they fell flat. Participants who tried counting sheep took almost twice as long to fall asleep. It turns out that counting sheep is too monotonous and becomes a chore instead of a snore.

There is a method that you can use to snooze. Try counting waves instead. The sleepers in the study who visualized a calming beach scene had the most success falling asleep.

If you need to be social and sharp at a holiday gathering, have some eggnog...

There is one holiday treat that can actually improve your memory and social skills – eggnog! 

Sure, it’s packed with calories but the choline in eggnog will go straight to your head. Choline, a nutrient found in eggs, stimulates your brain cells and can improve memory and mental sharpness. Eggnog also has vitamins A, B-12, C and D, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

If you feel guilty about the three-to-four hundred calories you drank in that eggnog – you could always work it off. You’ll need to walk for 95 minutes, jog for 39 minutes or swim for a half hour – per glass.

When is the last time you played a harmonica? Why it’s good for you...

Bob Dylan’s lungs are probably in pretty good shape...

That’s because playing the harmonica is like bodybuilding for the lungs. Pulmonologist MeiLan Han says harmonica playing strengthens the respiratory muscles and can boost your breathing power significantly. Some hospitals are even using harmonica therapy to treat patients with lung problems such as COPD.

Playing the harmonica encourages deep breathing and will instantly boost your intake of oxygen. They’re portable, inexpensive and one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play. Sound-proof booth sold separately.

Pain relievers could be bad for your ears...

If you take pain relievers such as ibuprofen more than twice a week, you could wind up with hearing loss...

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital say women under the age of 50 are particularly at risk. They say the same elements in ibuprofen that help block the pain may also reduce blood flow to the cochlea in the inner ear and impair its function.

Pain relievers containing acetaminophen also posed a hearing loss risk but it was slightly less than ibuprofen. They tested aspirin on the ears too and found no hearing loss risk there.

Women have a fascinating cycle – in their shopping preferences. What and when they buy...

Women tempted to splurge on something delicious or sexy may want to check the calendar...

New research suggests there’s a cycle to some feminine purchasing urges. Gad Saad is a researcher in Evolutionary Behavioural Sciences and Darwinian Consumption. He decided to study 59 women in their child-bearing years and their shopping cycles. Here are the findings: 

During their most fertile time of the month, the women spent more money on clothes, spent more time on their appearance and ate less overall.

During their non-fertile phase, the women spent more money on food, felt hungrier and were likely to crave high-calorie treats.

If you’d like to do something good for your brain – wear your watch upside-down. How it helps...

If you’re memory isn’t what it used to be – there are a few things you can do from time to time to give it a jolt...

Cynthia Green, author of “30 Days to Total Brain Health,” says our brain is a muscle and we need to flex it from time to time to keep it sharp. Here are a few tricks that are proven to improve both memory and thinking skills:

• Wear your watch upside down. This type of subtle change forces your brain to practice neurobics, activities that engage your attention and involve using one or more of your senses in a new way.

• Rework a word. Write down a multisyllable word, such as “resolution,” “sufficient” or “Thanksgiving.” Then see how many other words you can come up with, using the letters of the original word. This forces you to see familiar things in new ways. 

• Juggle. Some of the best mental activities also have a physical component. Juggling increased the brain’s white matter, the stuff that transmits information to different areas of the brain. Try juggling with scarves. They’re easier for beginners.

There are some beautiful winter vegetables appearing in the produce aisle. Why you need to buy some...

A colorful, seasonal bounty has arrived on the produce shelves – winter squash! 

They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are so interesting and colorful that more people tend to decorate with them than cook and eat them. Winter squash is healthy and super versatile. Different varieties can add great flavor and texture to your Thanksgiving meal and beyond. Just about any type of squash can be roasted. Just peel them, chop into cubes and pop them into the oven for about a half hour. Squash can also be grilled or baked and seasoned to your liking. Butter and brown sugar make them sweet and savory while oil, herbs and spices give them a rustic, hearty twist.

All varieties of winter squash are rich in nutrients including fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, calcium, magnesium and iron. You might even want to serve up your squash in its skin as a festive, disposable bowl.

If you rather not fight the crowds on Black Friday, wait until Tuesday the 27th. The lightest shopping days left...

For those of you resting up for the midnight madness of Black Friday – good luck with that...

For the rest of us, mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 27th. That is expected to be one of the lightest shopping days between now and Christmas. The experts at ShopperTrak, who analyze foot traffic, have revealed the best days to get our shopping done faster. They say the Monday through Thursday following Thanksgiving weekend are the best bet, with Tuesday expected to be the off-peak peak.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to shop next week, shoot for December 3rd through the 6th or the 10th and 11th. After that, you’re on your own, with everyone else. 

Talk to the hand! You won’t believe this new gadget...

Talk to the hand! Really – that’s what some of us might be doing once we get our hands into the latest smartphone accessory...

They’re called Hi-Call gloves and they work in sync with your smartphone and double as a Bluetooth earpiece. To imagine how they work, make a pretend telephone with your hand by extending your thumb and pinky finger. The smartgloves have a speaker in the thumb and a microphone in the pinky pocket. A few buttons on the wrist give you access to your phone’s functions and calling features while it stays warm and dry in your pocket.

If you’d like to talk to the hand, Hi-Call gloves cost about $60, come in black or grey – and seem to be on backorder online at Hi-Fun.com.

What’s that creepy thing under a turkey’s chin called?

How well do you know your bird anatomy? 

It’s that time of year again to talk turkey and test our knowledge:

• That iconic flap of skin hanging off the turkey’s chin is called the wattle. It turns bright red when the turkey is stressed out or courting.

• That wrinkly thing hanging over the turkey’s beak is called the snood. That also turns bright red in unison with the wattle.

• Nice caruncle! That’s the brightly colored growth on the throat region.

• A baby turkey is called a chick, poult or a jake if it’s a boy.

Male turkeys are called toms or gobblers and females are called hens. You’ll probably be eating a hen for Thanksgiving unless you’ve got a really big oven. Females have more meat on them and grow faster than males – but males can grow up to 35 pounds. Gobbler meat is used more often for deli products and turkey burgers.  

How does Facebook decide which friends to feature on your wall? Some tested theories...

If you’ve ever wondered why some of your Facebook friends tend to get top billing in the featured friends boxes more than others, there are a lot of theories out there...

Kite Media Works put some of them to the test and determined which factors come into play. They include:

• Profile views. Yes, they’ve been stalking, I mean checking up on you. 

• You have tagged each other in photos, past or present.

• Wall posts, likes and comments, either way. 

• Photos viewed. They’ve viewed your pictures and/or you’ve viewed theirs.

• Friends who are currently or were recently online.

• Recent chats together.

• Private messages exchanged.

• At least one designated “Close Friend” and “Family Member” gets featured status.

Facebook does change their top secret friend algorithm on a regular basis to prevent us from cracking a particular code. But if you pay close attention to your interactions, or lack of, with your featured friends, you may be able to determine what’s keeping them on top.

Pay attention! There are certain sounds that have the power to heal. What to listen for...

You’ve heard that music can soothe the savage beast – but did you know a purring can heal broken bones? 

A recent study of sounds has shed some light on some specific healing powers. Here are a few to listen for:

• A purring cat can heal broken bones, because they purr at the optimal frequency for bone stimulation. That purr can actually help strengthen bones and speed the healing of fractures. Studies are underway to see if purring can help to prevent osteoporosis.

• The sound of a harp can help with heart problems. Vibrations from harp music have been found to reduce blood pressure, calm the nervous system, and normalize irregular heartbeats. Some operating rooms even play harp music during delicate heart surgeries.

• Waterfalls work for soothing pain. Patients with chronic pain exposed to sounds of rushing water experienced a significant drop in stress hormones and less discomfort. 

• Ocean waves wash away sadness and stress. It’s the ultimate form of white noise and induces serenity. Students who listened to ocean sounds had less anxiety and less depression.

Whether you’re online shopping now, or waiting for Cyber Monday, there are some precautions you need to take...

If you’re getting a jump on your shopping online...

...here are a few rules to follow to protect yourself, from the security experts at Webroot:

DON'T use your debit card. Debit cards don't always carry the same kind of purchase protection or identity theft security as your credit cards, putting you at greater risk of being hacked. 

DO check out virtual credit cards. A lot of banks offer these temporary cards that allow you to set limits and expiration dates.

DON'T shop in public. Because most public spots don't encrypt your information, the passwords and credit card numbers you enter while connected are all the more exposed.

DO use a secure network for your purchase. It’s okay to get some virtual window shopping done on a public network – just save the actual purchasing until you’re home on your own trusted connection.

It’s time to start thinking about your Thanksgiving wine. Which varieties work best...

Which wine do you plan to serve with that turkey? 

There are no set rules, as there are several varieties that will really compliment your Thanksgiving meal. Here are some great picks from wine expert Stacy Slinkard:

If you like white wine, Riesling is a nice choice. Its apple tones pair well with salty dishes. Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with herbal undertones and tastes great with turkey and mashed potatoes. If you’ll be cooking with a lot of garlic and onions – go with a Pinot Grigio.

If red wine’s your thing, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are traditional favorites. Syrah compliments dark turkey meat with peppery notes. And don’t forget a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau. It’s typically light and fruity and the latest crop is unveiled each year just in time for Thanksgiving. The 2012 vintage is getting pretty good reviews.

Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us early this year. When to buy your turkey...

If the turkey is on you this Thanksgiving – you might want to buy it this weekend...

According to the National Turkey Federation, you’ll need you’ll need 24 hours of refrigerator thaw time for every four and a half pounds of bird. If you’re going with frozen, you’ll need to start thawing a 16 pound turkey on Sunday to cook it Thursday morning. Keep the bird in the original wrapper and leave it breast-side down in a shallow roasting pan in the fridge. That will keep the breast meat juicy.

If you’re going with fresh turkey instead, aim to buy that on Tuesday. If you have any turkey questions along the way, call the Butterball hotline. They primed to talk turkey and field more than 100,000 calls each year, regardless of what brand your bird is. 1-800-BUTTER B or 1-800-288-8372.

There’s one important question most of us are afraid to ask our doctor. We’ll ask it anyway...

“Have you washed your hands?” 

That is the first question we should be asking our doctors and nurses – and most of us are afraid to. A recent study found that far too many patients say they’d be embarrassed to remind their doctor to wash their hands. Don’t be shy, go ahead and speak up – it could save a life.

Physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers may even appreciate the reminder. The healthcare industry has raised the bar internally where good hand hygiene is concerned. Medical workers are encouraged to remind each other - and it’s working. Since the launch of a national Clean Your Hands campaign in 2004, the amount of soap and alcoholic hand rub bought by NHS trusts has almost tripled. It’s reported that thousands of deaths and infections have been prevented, thanks to the new hand-washing standards – and plenty of reminders.   

If something happens to you – what happens to your pet? The tragic scenario...

Is your pet in your will? 

Most people assume a friend or family member would step in to care for your best friend in the event of your untimely demise – but don’t count on it. In the eyes of the court, your pet is considered property. According to attorney Rachel Hirschfeld, author of “Petriarch,” there is a very real chance your beloved pet will be euthanized after your death without proper planning. She says designating a home for your pet in your will may not be enough, as it can take months or years to settle your estate. 

A better option for your pet is to construct a freestanding pet trust – but those can be pricey. There is a less expensive option out there called a PPA, or Pet Protection Agreement. You won’t need an attorney but you’ll need to designate pet guardians and have the document signed and notarized. You can find a PPA online at LegalZoom.com.

Is it possible to get the flu from the flu shot?

If getting the flu is your excuse for not getting the flu shot – it’s a lame one...

A lot of people are under the impression that the shot itself could give them the flu. It’s not true! According to Dr. Dennis Cunningham, an infectious disease specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, it’s impossible to get or spread the flu from the injection. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine. The virus on it has been killed. While it is enough to trigger your immune system to start making antibodies, you can’t get an actual infection.

If you feel funky after your flu vaccination – it’s not your imagination. Some people do experience side effects such as low-grade fever, body aches and soreness at the injection site. Those may seem like mild flu-like symptoms but rest assured; they will pass and leave you better protected from the real deal.

If you think you’d feel someone picking your pocket – you’re wrong...

“I would feel it if someone tried to take my things.” 

America’s Favorite Pickpocket and Entertainer Gene Turner, says he’s heard that a million times. Yet he only gets caught in his act about one in a thousand times. It only takes one second and a brief distraction for a pickpocket to rob you blind – and they’ve got a lot of tricks up their sleeves. Here are Gene’s tips to avoid being part of the act:

• If you see a pickpocket warning sign in a public place – DON’T check for your valuables. Professional pickpockets often hang around those signs hoping you’ll show him exactly which pockets to pick. 

• Someone yelling out “Pickpocket!” in a crowd is likely the pickpocket himself warning you, while watching where you reach. 

• Flashing your money will get you more attention than you want. Pickpockets will notice where you stash the cash and one bump later, you’ll be left with an empty pocket. 

• Don't carry valuables in a backpack or fanny pack. Anyone can reach into those without you seeing or feeling it. 

• Split your cash up into several pockets. 

• Leave your bags in front of you, not at your side. When they are at your side, you can be distracted in one direction as your bag disappears in the other. 

• Avoid putting your wallet in the back pockets. A good pickpocket can get it and some will use a razorblade to slit the bottom of the pocket so the wallet will fall into their waiting hands. Rubber bands around a wallet also make it harder to slip away.

• Carry your purse in front of you and don’t hang it on the back of your chair at restaurants. Keep it between your feet. 

Texting is easier than ever these days. How NOT to overdo it...

Remember when texting was all thumbs and laborious on a number pad? 

Smartphones have made texting easier than ever and some people are overdoing it. Here is a refresher course in text etiquette:

• Keep it brief. A text message should be two to three sentences tops. Anything longer deserves an email or phone call.

• Don’t keep texting until you get a reply. If the recipient’s phone is off, they’ll be bombarded when they turn it back on. Repeated one-sided texting is just rude.

• Don’t end a relationship with a text message. Sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly common. If your relationships aren’t worthy of face-to-face closure, you need to reevaluate your choices.

• Use proper grammar and punctuation. There are a few common abbreviations that are commonplace now but cryptic messages lacking punctuation are a chore for the reader.

• Think before attaching. Multiple pictures, files or links may clog up the recipient’s inbox and prevent them from receiving other messages.

• Avoid texting if you’re about to be unavailable – or at least let the other person know when you will be.