We’re turning the clocks back this weekend. Keep the Advil handy.

Good news: we get an extra hour with Daylight Saving Time. 

Bad news: It might give us a headache. According to Dr. Stewart Tepper at the Cleveland Clinic, the time change can trigger a cycle of headaches for a lot of people. The headaches might even occur every day and last for six to eight weeks. 

Your DST headache could start a few days after the change. They’re more common in men than in women. If you’re prone to headaches, talk to your doctor about using melatonin to regulate your circadian rhythms and possibly prevent the onset of the fall-back headaches. 

Are you phobophobic? The fear of that and other strange things...

If you have a fear about developing a fear - you’re phobophobic. 

Here are some more unusual phobias:

• Omphalophobia- fear of the navel

• Nomophobia- fear of being without mobile phone coverage

• Papaphobia- fear of the pope

• Uranophobia- fear of heaven

• Chrometophobia - the fear of money

• Pognophobia - the fear of beards

• Geliophobia - the fear of laughing

• Cacophobia - the fear of ugliness

Not quite as unusual is coulrophobia, the fear of clowns. Many children and adults alike are uncomfortable with a painted on false expression. Its not unlike maskaphobia, the fear of masks.

Some have a sweet tooth and some like it hot. Food preference personalities...

Do you prefer sweet, salty or spicy. 

Our personalities have a big influence on our food preferences:

• Hot peppers: There’s a reason risk-takers like them. The capsaicin in hot peppers give you a natural adrenaline rush, no parachute required.

• Salty foods: If potato chips are your go-to snack, you’re probably easily frustrated. Salt lovers may have a short fuse in traffic or in line, but they are worthy adversaries and tend to be ambitious.

• Comfort food: If you’ve just got to have carbs, you’re probably the thoughtful, cautious type and not a big fan of risk or change.

• Crunchy foods: Perfectionists love crunchy foods. Apples, carrots, hard pretzels, anything that takes a bit of effort. Crunchy types are usually on time and expect you to be too.

• Tart and sour foods: Watch out, these snackers tend to be judgemental and maybe a bit harsh. Tolerance or preference for extreme flavors like sour lemon is often genetic and often inherited by insensitive types.

• Exotic foods: If you love frogs legs, snails and caviar, you’re the flexible, open-minded type who’s apt to try anything once.

Do black cats freak you out? How they got the bad rap, in a minute…

What did black cats do to deserve the bad luck rap? 

Nothing. Historically, it seems they were the victims of bad luck more than the perpetrators. Way back in 1348, middle agers were convinced that black cats were responsible for helping to spread the Black Death pandemic. Sadly, black cats were killed on sight and practically exterminated. The misguided humans paid dearly for that fatal mistake, as the plague was actually spread by rodents, who flourished with fewer cats on the prowl.

The black cats who did survive still couldn't shake the bad luck rap. As black magic and witchcraft spread across Europe in the 16th century, presumed witches often took in alley cats as companions. Rumor spread that witches could turn themselves into black cats, who were not spared in subsequent witch hunts. 

Halloween is the deadliest night of the year!

Halloween just got scarier. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Halloween is the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians. 

Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA says parents and caregivers need to be extra vigilant. Children are naturally excited and distracted, which puts them at risk. Parents get distracted too and drivers need to take extra precaution. 

Slow down tomorrow night. A pedestrian is more than twice as likely to be killed if they’re hit by a car travelling at 30 miles per hour as compared to 25. Turn the radio down and don’t even consider texting. Trick or treaters need your undivided attention to make it a happy Halloween for everyone.

Do you talk too much? Shut up and read this.

Do people interrupt you a lot? If so, you probably talk too much. 

That’s one of the red flags that suggest you need to listen more. Here are ten more:

• People tell you that you talk too much. They’re not just kidding.

• In a phone conversation, you notice absolute silence. The other person has probably given up. 

• The other person always ends your conversations. Either you’re rampling, they’re bored - or both.

• Silence makes you uncomfortable. If you feel the need to fill dead air, you talk too much.

• You love details and can’t skip ahead in a story. Get to the point.

• Your listeners fidget, look away, or interrupt you - and you keep on talking. You’re talking torture.

• If talkative types make you angry or you feel that you have to constantly fight for your time, you’ve met your match.

• Do people simply nod their head and offer "Yeahs" and "Uh-huhs" without wanting you to elaborate any further? They’re exhausted.

• If you feel the need to challenge every idea or offer a better solution, you’re probably driving people crazy.

• If your conversations are less like a tennis game and more like batting practice, you talk too much. 

The side effects in those TV drug ads can be scary. Here are some they forgot to mention...

If the increased risk of stroke, confusion, sweating, diarrhea, body hair, thoughts of suicide or death aren’t enough to scare you in TV drug ads, here are some they left out:

• Compulsive shopping: A drug used to treat Parkinson’s and restless leg syndrome can result in the strong urge to use your legs, especially at night. It can also reduce your impulse control which can lead to excessive eating, sex, gambling or shopping.

• Sleep texting: Some sleep medications can increase the odds you’ll eat, text, make calls, have sex or even drive in your sleep. However, you may not be sure if any of that is happening, as they can also trigger hallucinations and lapses in memory.

• Spontaneous combustion: A popular gel used for low testosterone is highly flammable - and guys using it need to be extra careful around any open flames.

• Brown eyes: The drug that helps you grow longer, fuller eyelashes can also turn your eyes to a dark shade of brown.

Do you chew your ice? Stop it!

A lot of people just can’t help chewing on ice. 

According to Dr. Tatiana Barton, a dentist in Stamford, Connecticut, chewing ice can do some serious damage. Over time, chewing on ice can create multiple tiny fractures you may not even be aware of. One more ice chip, or other seemingly harmless chew, could result in a serious break and require major restoration to repair. 

Chewing on ice can also result in damaged enamel and sensitivity. Some people have a real compulsion to chomp on chips and it can be difficult to break the ice chewing habit. 

You may be ready for Halloween - but what about your pet?

Your pet may look adorable wearing that saddle or cape for Halloween...

...but you’ll need to take some precautions. Be sure the costume doesn’t impair movement, hearing, sight or the ability to eat or drink.

You’ll need to be careful with candy too, not just chocolate. Candy, gum and baked goods often have xylitol in there. Even a small amount can trigger seizures in dogs. Remember that a lot of dogs are naturally attracted to those crinkly wrappers. Don’t leave those lying around.

Finally, Halloween is scary to pets. Strangers dressed in weird costumes, doorbells and unusual noises and activity can really be hard on a dog. If your pet is sensitive, have a heart and create a safe room. Don’t try to force them to participate in something they can’t understand.

If you’ve got an interview - get there early. What to do while you’re waiting...

You’ll want to arrive a few minutes early for that job interview. 

Not just to be prudent, but to check out the environment. Here are some things you’ll want pay close attention to while you’re waiting:

• The greeting. Is there a reception area - or are you just standing there? You might want to think twice about a company that has no greeting protocol.

• The receptionist. Is he or she expecting you and friendly - or bored and dismissive? Ask how long they’ve been with the company. If it’s a long time, that’s a good sign.

• Technology. Check out the desktops and equipment around the office. It might be hard or frustrating to do a good job in a place with antiquated technology. 

• Physical layout. Are employees boxed in? Is anyone at a standing desk? The layout can indicate whether the company takes it’s employees well being into account.

• Walls. Do you see a mission statement or employee recognition? Company pride and appreciation beyond the front door is a good sign.

• Employee dynamics. Pay attention to how they treat each other. Are they wearing headphones and glued to their screens, or interacting and smiling. 

If the setup is such that you can’t really see inside, ask to use the bathroom. This can get you past the reception area which is often a bit staged.

Give that baby a bottle - and a smartphone?

Every baby needs a blanky, a cuddly toy - and a mobile device? 

New research says 38% of children under 2 have used one. According to the study by Common Sense Media, that’s up from just 10% in 2011. So is it such a bad thing? Yes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Their recommendation is that parents should ban all screen time, including mobile devices, for children under 2. While tablets can be good educational tools for toddlers, overuse or using them as virtual babysitters can cause real developmental harm.

Paging Dr. Manners! Some are just plain rude.

If that new doctor comes across as a bit rude, it’s not just you. 

According to a new study from Johns Hopkins University, young doctors in their first year out of medical school don’t typically take the time to introduce themselves or engage in eye-to-eye contact with patients. Other criteria used to rate the doctors’ etiquette included explaining their role, touching patients, sitting down and asking open ended questions such as “how are you?” The researchers found that over the course of three weeks, interns performed all five behaviors just 4% of the time.

What’s for dinner tonight? Start with these apps.

Wouldn’t it be great if you had help planning and shopping for dinner every night? 

If you’ve got a smartphone, here are some great apps that will do just that:

• Ziplist: Using your computer or your phone, this app will sync recipes, shopping lists and grocery lists. You can even share lists to let someone else pick up the ingredients on the way home.

• Whole Foods Market Recipes: With over 3,000 recipes, this app lets you search by ingredients, course or special diet. It will also deliver in-store specials, sales and events. 

• Foodgawker: This interactive app is a great idea starter and shares the most popular dishes complete with photos and links to lists on your computer or phone.

• Food on the Table: This app delivers weekly specials at your favorite stores, makes recommendations and generates an itemized shopping list. 

• AllRecipes Dinner Spinner: Put your meal planning in the hands of fate. This app has a Vegas-style wheel to spin when you’re at a loss for dinner ideas. You’ll get ingredients, directions and the option to create, save and share your own recipe box. 

• Ness: If you’d rather make reservations for dinner, this app is for you. Ness finds the popular spots in your area, keeps track of your favorites and even gives you a peek inside with photos and menus.

Do you have a sickening secret?

Don’t tell anyone - but secrets can make you sick. 

There is a lot of scientific evidence showing that people with serious secrets often suffer from aches and pains and other ailments. According to Anita E. Kelly, doctor of psychology at Notre Dame, those who withhold a lot show more anxiety and depression. She says secretive people tend to get sick because secrets raise stress levels which can leave us prone to illness. 

While revealing secrets may have significant health benefits, it’s important to have a secret plan. Serious secrets can have serious fallout and put relationships at risk. If you’ve got a burning secret that’s making you sick, it’s a good idea to seek professional guidance in revealing that secret in order to balance potential benefits and risk. Just taking that first step with a third party may even lighten the load.

Should you exercise when you’re sick?

Some people can’t stand to skip their exercise routines - even if their sick. So is it safe?

 That depends. According to Dr. David C. Nieman, director of the Human Performance Lab at Appalachian State University, exercise can boost immunity. When active people get sick with a cold, their symptoms are less severe. Exercises like walking while they're sick can cut their sick times by as much as half. However, if you’ve got something worse, skip the exercise. Dr. Nieman says it could make the illness more severe and prolonged. 

• Rest if it's below the neck. If you have symptoms from the neck up — a stuffy nose or sore throat — it's probably just a rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. But when you start to feel achy, or develop a fever, swollen glands, or chest congestion, it's time to lay off the exercise completely. 

• Slow down. You should still take it easy, even if you're just suffering from a runny nose. Pushing it too hard can make matters worse. 

• Get back up to speed gradually. The flu can keep you out of the exercise loop for a week or more, so don't hit the ground running as soon as you feel better. After a symptom-free week of moderate exercise, start easing back into your routine until you're back to where you were before you got sick.

Are you allergic to Halloween? Spooky allergy triggers...

If you or your child has allergies, Halloween can be extra scary. 

Here are some triggers to beware of:

• Food: Nut, dairy and egg allergies can be life threatening for some people - and a lot of these ingredients may be disguised in some Halloween treats. It’s important to know that fun-size candy bars may have slightly different ingredients than their full-size counterparts and often don’t list them all on their tiny wrapper.

• Costumes: If they’ve been packed away, they may be crawling with dust mites or mildew. Be sure to wash old or used costumes before wearing. Costume accessories such as magic wands, swords and buckles often contain nickel, another common trigger that can cause an itchy rash.

• Makeup: Cheap Halloween makeup can contain any number of allergy triggers. It’s best to go with quality makeup and test it on the inside of the arm before smearing it all over the face. 

• Pumpkins: While pumpkin allergies are rare, pumpkin patches or aging pumpkins can be full of mold that could trigger a reaction.

• Spooky fog: A fog machine can add a lot of atmosphere to a Halloween party - but it can also trigger asthma attacks for little ghosts and goblins.

Are you the oldest, the middle, or the baby in your family. How that affects your health...

Birth order can have a big impact on your personality...

...and recent studies have found the same may be true for your health. Here are the findings:

• Firstborns tend to have more food allergies and hay fever. That’s because they are exposed to less immune-building germs than their younger siblings.

• The middle child has the healthiest gums. They have their big brother or sister to thank for that. Because their exposed to the older sibling’s germs, they’re better equipped to fight oral bacteria.

• The youngest child is most prone to addiction. They go through puberty three months earlier, on average, than their siblings which can increase risk-taking behavior. 

Hopefully you won’t get the flu. What to eat if you do.

If you wind up getting the flu this season, you’ll need to know how to feed it. 

Here are some selections for your flu diet:

• Popsicles: They really do help soothe the throat and keep you hydrated. You’ve got the flu - you deserve the best. Splurge on the real fruit or gourmet variety so you’re getting some nutrients with it. 

• Turkey sandwich: You may not feel like eating it - but the lean protein and comfort-food effect will help you fight the flu.

• Vegetable juice: Go ahead and have a V8. You won’t feel like eating your fruits and veggies while you’re sick - but drinking them will deliver the goods.

• Chicken soup: it helps with healing and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Hot chicken soup can even help to ease congestion and body aches.

• Garlic: It has immune-stimulating properties and can also help with congestion.

• Ginger: Another anti-inflammatory, ginger tea, ginger ale, or grated ginger are all good options for some natural relief of flu symptoms.

• Bananas: Whole, sliced or in a smoothie, bananas can help combat nausea and other digestional unpleasantries while delivering a much needed dose of potassium and vitamins B and C. 

Menthol cigarettes may soon be a thing of the past.

All cigarettes are bad - but are menthols worse? 

Yes, according to the FDA, who is now considering regulating or possibly even banning the minty cancer sticks. That’s because they believe that menthol may make it easier to become addicted to smoking and harder to quit. All cigarettes have a bit of menthol in there for flavoring but menthol cigarettes have ten times more. 

Experts say that the cooling sensation felt in the mouth, throat and lungs by menthol smokers enhances their physical rush and leads to stronger cravings. Menthol in cigarettes can also slow respiration and increase breath-holding time, increasing exposure to the toxins.

The next time someone takes your picture - turn to the right! Why you're guaranteed to look better...

Which side of your face is the good side? 

The left. Even if you prefer your right side, others are naturally attracted to your left, according to research from Wake Forest University. They had volunteers rate faces of strangers and the left side was overwhelmingly preferred - even when photos were reversed. Most of us exhibit slightly more emotion in the left side of the face when posing for a photo. That’s because the right side of the brain which controls emotion, has a bigger influence on the left side of the body.

The left best side theory is nothing new. Artists have been preferring that pose in portraits for centuries. The next time someone wants to capture you on film, or on canvas, turn to the right - and smile.

Do you have a designated office Jerk? How to deal with them...

Do you work with a jerk? 

Office jerks can ruin moral and somebody NEEDS to speak up. Julie Jansen, author of “You Want Me to Work With Who?” says most toxic coworkers aren’t even aware that they’re the jerk. They’re often surprised, or even shocked, when someone makes them aware of their bad behavior. But few people step up to do that. In a survey of more than 900 people, including bosses, 75% admitted to complaining about the jerk to their coworkers but would not consider confronting the offender. Could YOU be the office jerk? The most common characteristics include rude, abrasive or inappropriate behavior, complaining, dramatic, lazy, loud, disruptive, and the worst offense of all - backstabbing.

If you’re ready to confront the office jerk, you’ll probably need some support. Most human resource departments have office jerk protocol to follow, but it’s best to start with your immediate supervisor. Discuss the bad behavior to determine whether it can be handled within the department. If you’re discouraged from reporting the problem, or expected to just deal with it, it may be time to move on to a friendlier environment.

Chewing gum can improve your test scores - IF you do it right.

You may have heard that chewing gum can improve your test scores. 

That’s true, if you know how to chew. Researchers split 224 undergraduates from St. Lawrence University into three groups and put gum to the test. One group chewed before and during the test. The next group chewed for five minutes before the test and the third group had to rough it without any gum. The pre-test chewers out-performed the other two groups. It seems that chewing gum before the test did boost performance, but only for about 20 minutes.

Chewing gum can literally warm up the brain, by increasing blood flow to the head. Those who chewed gum through the entire test didn’t get the benefits because all that chewing gets tiresome and can actually sap brainpower after a few minutes.

Do attractive people have higher or lower IQs?

Beauty AND brains? It seems there may be a connection. 

There have been a lot of studies on physical attractiveness and IQ ratio - and more often than not, the attractive people are a tad smarter, as a group. Experts say it’s all about genetic quality. According to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, healthier, happier people tend to be more attractive and more intelligent, and chances are their parents were too. They also tend to attract each other. Because both intelligence and physical attractiveness are highly heritable, their children are much more likely to inherit both beauty and brains.

Does your dog miss you when you’re not there?

What is your dog doing right now? 

If you’re not home, he’s probably a little sad. Animal psychologists set out to determine whether or not our dogs really miss us when we leave and the answer was yes. They used an MRI to monitor emotional responses in several dogs. The results showed some clear evidence that dogs experience love, empathy and even longing for their best friends. 

They also carefully monitored dogs and their reactions when their humans came home. The owners got a much bigger reception after being away for two hours than when they returned after 30 minutes, proving dogs have a better sense of time than previously thought. They did not find a big difference between two and four hour absences. 

Do you compete with a smartphone for your partner’s attention? There’s an app for that.

If you’re tired of being in a relationship with your partner AND their cell phone...

...there are some apps specifically designed for relationships that can help you fight fire with fire:

• Kahnoodle: This app gives your partner reminders and points every time they do something thoughtful for you. Earn enough points and you can cash them in at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.

• Avocado: This one lets you share calendars, grocery lists and upcoming dates so you’re always in sync with your partner. It lets you send hugs and kisses too.

• BetterHalf: Get instant suggestions for restaurants and movies. This app keeps track of your favorite spots and will send date invites as well.

• Couple: Create a timeline of your romantic relationship and send each other pictures, messages or apologies. It’s got a video chat feature too.

• 69 Places: Spice up the relationship with a change of scenery and suggestions of unusual locales to “get cozy” in.

What will you be handing out on Halloween? The best and worst treats...

Do you like candy corn? 

They may be charming and scream Halloween, but ironically, they’re also number one on the worst candy list. Here are the other treats that may stay in the bowl:

• Pixie Stix

• Hard candy

• Now and Later

• Mary Janes

• Smarties

• Crows

• Whoppers

• Good & Plenty

• Raisins

If you’d rather dole out some of the top treats, they are:

• Snickers

• m&ms

• Skittles

• Starburst

• Nerds

• Twix

• Pop Rocks

• Twix

• Kit Kats

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Listen… your gut is trying to tell you something.

We all experience a gut instinct or reaction from time to time. 

That’s because we have a built-in ability to make split-second decisions and it’s based on experience. While it may be hard to determine what causes that gut reaction, it was likely triggered by a learned experience. It could be something very subtle like a smell, a facial expression or a tone of voice that registers immediately in an attempt to guide us in the right direction.

Some people have better gut instincts than others. It’s a good idea to test yours with something small like a game or puzzle. Getting to know your gut instinct will help you fine tune it and more effectively use it for the big stuff.

Does pushing the “door close” button on an elevator do any good?

If you’re tempted to push that “door-close” button on the elevator - don’t bother. 

More often than not, it won’t make any difference. In most elevators, that button is either non-functioning or will only work in an emergency. Even if it is functional, it won’t close right away, so repeatedly pushing it is really pointless.

In older elevators, when that button malfunctions, it probably won’t get fixed as it doesn’t interfere with operation. In modern elevators, the operator in charge has the option to override that function - and usually takes advantage of that, especially for busy elevators. If your “close door” button works, consider yourself lucky - and two seconds richer.

Pumpkin is good for lots of things - even your sex life.

Does the smell of pumpkin get you in the mood? 

According to Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, author of “Scentsational Sex,” the aroma of pumpkin is a bit of an aphrodisiac, especially when it’s combined with lavender. In his study, both men and women had an arousing reaction to that combo.

Pumpkin seeds are on the aphrodisiac list too. Their zinc content is credited with the ability to enhance fertility and sex drive.

Do you suffer from Sunday night syndrome?

If you have trouble getting to sleep on Sunday nights, you’re not alone. 

It’s called Sunday night syndrome. According to Dr. Kenneth Sassower, neurologist in the Sleep Disorders Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, most of us disrupt our natural body clocks over the weekend, making it harder to fall asleep on Sunday nights and harder to get up Monday morning.

Studies have also found that Sunday nights tend to be the least happy night of the week. That’s due to either overdoing it on the weekend, or feeling down because the weekend wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Planning something fun to do on Monday night can be an effective remedy, giving you something to look forward to on Sad Sunday.

If you’re going to a Halloween party dressed as Walter White, you’re not alone.

Think that Miley Cyrus costume is original? 

Think again. It’s on the list of most popular costumes this year and foam fingers are flying off the shelves. Robin Thicke's striped suit is on there too. You’ll probably see a lot of beards on the street too. Duck Dynasty accessories are big this year. What does the Fox say? Trick or Treat. That video has people scrambling for fox faces. Yellow jumpsuits are in big demand too. Walter and Jessie make for a good bad duo. Walter White’s underpants and boots will do if you’re going solo.

You’ll probably have that pet dog for at least 15 years. So what about that goldfish?

If you decide to commit to a pet dog - you’re probably in for 15 to 20 years. 

Here are some other lifespans to consider before taking on a pet:

* Goldfish: While some might not make it past the first few days, there is one on record at 45 years.

* Birds: A canary lives about 25 years. A cockatiel, 35 years. An Amazon Parrot is a big commitment, 104 years.

* Hamsters hang around for about 4 years. Gerbils live about 5 years, Guinea pigs, 8 years.

* Turtles: You’re better off with the painted variety. They live about 11 years. If you’re tempted to adopt a Galapagos Land Tortoise, you’re in for 193 years. 

What color is your front door? What that says about who's inside...

Is your front door black? 

That suggests you’re a traditionalist who likes elegance, order and control. Here are some other front door choices that let us peek inside your personality, from Home Goods:

* Green: Relationships are extremely important to you. You feel loved, safe, and secure.

* Blue: You need peace and value truth; being well grounded, you are not easily swayed by others.

* Turquoise: You crave emotional balance in your life, while pursuing big hopes and dreams.

* Yellow: You tend to look at life with a positive attitude and you’re probably a morning person.

* White: You like to keep things simple and organized.

* Red: You like to get noticed and experience life to it’s fullest.

* Orange: You are a social butterfly and you love to entertain.

* Purple or brown: You have a deep need for emotional security and don't mind showing it.

You can buy some pretty unusual things on Amazon.

If you’ve always wanted to sleep on Nicolas Cage, you’re in luck. 

Nicolas Cage pillowcases are available for sale on Amazon for about $15. Here are some other oddities for sale:

* Daddy Saddle: Strap it on Daddy’s back and let the little tyke rodeo begin.

* Freud Action Figure: Just in case Barbie and Ken are having a bad week.

* Unicorn meat: It comes in a can and has “magic in every bite.”

* Live lady bugs: 1,500 for just $12.

* Bag of Bones: Contains approximately 10 pounds of assorted 4th quality bones. This bag contains life-size skull, humerus, hand, hip bone and tail bone.

Quicksand is pretty scary stuff - and it’s not just in the jungle.

Quicksand is the stuff that nightmares are made of - but it’s not quite like you see in the movies. 

Quicksand can actually occur anywhere there’s sand and water, like a sandy bank along a lake, stream, river or ocean. The good news is, most quicksand is not that deep, usually just a few feet. While you don’t actually get “sucked” into quicksand, the natural instinct to struggle will cause you to dig yourself in deeper.

It really is hard to free yourself from quicksand, especially if you’re alone. You’re best bet is to relax. Moving slowly, remove anything weighing you down. If possible, slip your feet out of your shoes. Take deep breaths, lean back and take frequent breaks from trying to free yourself. If you’re in a tidal zone, skip the breaks and yell a lot. 

What are you doing for lunch today? Breaking successful, in a moment…

Most successful people have something in common - they take lunch. 

Eating at your desk or skipping it all together can backfire and make you less productive. Not only do super-successful people take their lunch, they tend to make the most of it. A successful lunch break usually has at least one of these elements:

* Go outside: A change in scenery and eating “off-site” triggers a fresh start when you return.

* Don’t over-eat: Avoid slipping into an afternoon food-coma. Choose something healthy and don’t wolf it down.

* Meet a friend or colleague: Lunch is a good time to socialize, network and connect.

* Listen to music: If your lunch is a short, solo break, try having it with a side of music. The mental distraction can reduce stress and increase productivity.

What’s more expensive than gasoline, champagne and Chanel No. 5? Printer ink.

Are you wasting precious printer ink? 

If you turn your printer off - you probably are. The price of printer ink ranges from $13 to $75 an ounce - and a lot of it never even makes it to the page. A significant portion of ink evaporates, is considered residual, or is used to maintain the health of the print head. You can conserve ink by changing some of your printer habits:

* Leave the power on. There is a maintenance cycle that is triggered every time you turn it on or off which can guzzle ink on some models.

* Print in Draft mode. This reduces the amount of ink used in printing.

* Avoid printing large photos, especially in high-quality mode. They use tons of ink.

* Don’t change cartridges unless you must. Some people switch out their expensive cartridge with a bargain brand for big jobs - but that triggers an initialization cycle that wastes more than you’ll save.

Do you buy beef that’s already tenderized? Why it matters...

Has the beef you’re buying already been tenderized? 

The Federal Safety Inspection Service, or FSIS, says it really should be labelled as such. They want to slap “mechanically tenderized” on beef products on meats which have been through the tenderization process. Commercially, needles and blades are used to make the meat more appealing, and some have been injected with a marinade or solution. 

Safety experts are concerned that meat which has been penetrated by needles or blades have potentially had bacteria injected well below the surface where it’s harder to kill. These meats should be cooked at specified temperatures and times and labelling would help give consumers the heads-up. 

If you’re getting your flu shot, there’s something you can do to boost it’s protection.

If you’re scheduling your flu shot, schedule something to do after you get it. 

A study from Iowa State University found that staying active after getting the vaccine can actually double the protection, especially for older or overweight people. Go shopping, clean the house or go for a LONG walk. You’ll need a full 90 minutes of physical activity to get the full post-shot benefits.

How about some ghost hunting this weekend? How to catch them - on film.

Do you believe in ghosts? 

If a picture of one would help convince you, paranormal researcher Stephen Wagner has some tips on how to capture one on film. First, you’ll need to go where the ghosts are. While a cemetery may seem like a logical haunt, Stephen doesn’t believe they hang out there much. He says you’re better off in a house or building, especially if a ghost presence has been reported there. It doesn’t have to be dark either. Stephen says most of the best ghost appearances in photos were actually taken in daylight. 

Many ghost hunters recommend you ask permission. Say something like “Is anyone here? I invite you to show yourself in my pictures.” Some ghosts just can’t resist. Don’t waste your time on photographing empty spaces or closets. Ghosts like people and tend to follow us around. Ask a friend to pose with potential ghosts and you might both get lucky. When reviewing your photos, look for these ghostly elements:

* Orbs - these are the most common captures. It usually looks like a white ball, however it can also be a different color. 

* Thick mist - some ghosts prefer to appear in the form of a fog, that wouldn’t normally appear in the photo.

* Human forms - these are known as apparitions and are actual bodies or body parts of ghosts. It takes a lot of energy for a ghost to appear like that so consider yourself lucky if you capture one.

If you’re lazy when it comes to Halloween costumes, here are some simple ones...

Can’t decide what to be for Halloween? 

Real Simple Magazine has some real simple costumes:

* The ceiling fan: You’ll need some pom poms and a t-shirt or sign that says “GO CEILING!”

* The Iron Chef: Find an apron, grab your iron, and you’re good to go.

* Buccaneer: You’ll need two dollar bills. Now attach one to each ear.

* Self Portrait: All you’ll need is a large empty picture frame for this one.

* Cereal Killer: You’ll need a knife - and a box of cereal.

Is it true that a Munchkin met his tragic end during the Wizard of Oz?

If you’re disturbed by the scene in the Wizard of Oz where a Munchkin reportedly hung himself as Dorothy and her pals skipped merrily down the Yellow Brick Road, relax. 

That’s just an urban legend. What you’re really seeing in the distance is a large, exotic bird they borrowed from the Los Angeles Zoo. Another Wizard of Oz myth is the Pink Floyd connection. All members of Pink Floyd have repeatedly denied syncing the album to the movie. It was just a coincidence.

True in the Wizard of Oz: Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West, really did receive 2nd and 3rd degree burns when disappearing in that cloud of smoke. She was out for six weeks. Several of those flying monkeys were also hospitalized for injuries.

Do you talk to yourself - out loud? Let’s see if you’re nuts...

Is talking to yourself crazy? You’d be crazy not to! 

There has been a lot of research on people who talk to themselves, out loud, and it can actually help us succeed. Young children do it all the time. Talking to themselves helps them stay on task, especially when it involves multiple steps. The same trick works for us. Talking yourself down the aisle in the grocery store or while navigating an unfamiliar route enhances focus and helps ensure you don’t miss a step. Our brains work better with verbal cues, and giving yourself directives or asking questions aloud can actually help you complete the task or find solutions more efficiently.

Do you have invisible words on your resume? Why that trick might backfire...

If you want to be sure your resume makes it past the data robots and into hiring hands, you’ll need to include the right keywords. 

If you’re tempted to cut and paste the job description and include it on your resume in “invisible” white font, it’s an old trick and it might just backfire. Recruiters and hiring managers often highlight all the text and change the font color, revealing any hidden messages you might have included. This trick makes you look desperate and maybe even deceitful and you run the risk of becoming persona non grata – for all the company’s jobs. 

You’ll need to include the right keywords the old fashioned way. Take the time to work them into your experience and stick to the ones that you’ve earned the right to use. If you can’t resist the hidden message, make it count. You could get creative here and give the hiring eyes something positive to ponder.