If you'll be celebrating New Year's Eve with alcohol, start drinking now.

Plan on drinking tonight? Start now, with some water! 

If you’re really well hydrated, you’ll feel a lot better the day after. Alternate tonight with water between champagne and keep the water coming tomorrow. Here are some more hangover helpers to stock up on:

* Asparagus:The amino acids and minerals found in there can protect liver cells from toxins and help prevent nausea, fatigue, and headaches.

* Toast With Honey: This high-carb, high-sugar snack can give you a New Year’s morning boost.

* Sports Drinks: The electrolytes elevate blood glucose and sodium levels which speeds rehydration. 

* Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin C and magnesium are two good ones.

* Greasy Breakfast: It’s not great for the long haul, but you’ll get a short-term boost.

* Hair of the Dog: Bad idea. It might help for a few minutes but another drink really will just prolong your recovery.

Toddlers LOVE tablets - but these toys are much better...

Children are plugging in earlier than ever - and experts are concerned. 

They’re a convenient tool to pacify a toddler in an inconvenient spot like the car or in a restaurant - but parents are fooling themselves if they think it’s all educational. According to Dr. Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital, iPads have only been on the market for a little over three years and tablet-related research is still in its infancy. He says the single most important thing in a child’s social and language development is time with parents and caregivers. If time with the tablet comes at the expense of that, that's not good.

Other experts agree and say parents should be wary of any TV show or app that claims to have educational benefits for babies and toddlers. The best toys are still those that require more than a tap and a swipe to make them go. Old favorites like blocks and stuffed animals require a lot more imagination and manipulation to make them come to life.

The position you sleep in can change the way you look - for the worse.

Do you sleep on your side? That could leave you with wrinkles - and worse. 

According to Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, professor of dermatology at St. Louis University, side-sleeping is bad for your skin - and your breasts. She says back-sleeping is the best for beauty sleep because nothing is pushing against your face and the weight of your breasts if fully supported, reducing sagginess. 

If you must sleep on your side, use props. a strategically placed pillow or cushion can provide support and comfort while you sleep. You might also want to consider a satin pillowcase. It’s much friendlier on your skin and hair that a non-slip fabric.

What should you say to a police officer who pulls you over?

Nobody likes to get pulled over - but how you behave and what you say can make the whole ordeal a lot easier. 

Here’s the best pull-over protocol:

* First rule: don't argue. Officer Karen Rittorno says she gets this all the time. “Why are you stopping me? I didn’t do anything.” It’s the officer’s job to ask the questions, not yours.

* Keep it honest: Cops are trained to note the human characteristics of lying, including twitching and looking to the left. The truth can set you free. 

* That’s “Officer” to you: Do NOT use pejoratives like hun, honey, buddy or dude. 

* Be polite. The police don't like being talked over, either.

Cops know that people are nervous when they get pulled over - and they’re on edge too. Staying calm and these few basics will help to put both of you at ease. When those headlights go on, it's best to pull the car to the right, stay in the car, turn the interior lights on if it's dark and put your hands on the steering wheel. Don't make any quick movements, and don't turn to grab your purse or put your hands in your pocket or under your seat to retrieve your license -- until the officer instructs you to. Then, do it slowly. Don't move to open the glove box either, until directed. And do that slowly, too. Let the police shine a light inside the box before you reach in. Many criminals hide guns in glove boxes. If you help to reduce the fear and keep it friendly, you’re much more likely to get off with a warning. 

If you’ve got a dog - you need to winterize his or her paws.

In the winter months, your dog’s paws are really vulnerable to some serious damage. 

Exposure to the elements can result in drying, cracking, trauma, frostbite and chemical burns. Canine King Caesar has some precautions we need to take for our best friends’ feet. He says you’ll need some protective balm for the paws. You can find that in most drug or pet stores. If not, use Vaseline. Some people use cooking spray on the paws that helps prevent snow and ice from packing in between the pads - but your dog may lick that off. You’ll also need to trip any fur or feathering around the paws that pick up snow and ice. 

Apply the balm just before your walk or time outdoors. As soon as your pooch is back inside, wipe the paws with a warm washcloth. This will clear away any snow, ice or dangerous chemicals in salt and de-icers.

If you’re choosing apps for that new smartphone or tablet, try these first...

If you got a new smartphone or tablet for Christmas, Money Magazine found the best apps for you to try:

* Ridiculous Fishing is their top game pick for smartphones.

* Dots - It's like Candy Crush, but better. 

* Vine - Twitter's video-sharing app is among the strangest, most popular apps out there. 

* Hangouts - It’s Google’s answer to cross-platform messaging.

* VSCO cam - It's the best one-stop shop for photo taking, photo editing, photo organizing and photo sharing.

* Snapchat - The self-destructing photo and video sharing app first appeared last year and has really hit its stride.

* Dropbox - If you're using a cloud service, it's probably Dropbox. Might as well have your account on your phone. 

* Kindle - The Kindle app is the best and most flexible way to consume e-books on your phone or tablet, and it’s great for reading other documents including PDFs. 

* Google Search - With it’s voice recognition technology, it's a must-have. 

* Level - It automatically sets up a daily, weekly and monthly budget for you, and keeps you updated on your spending habits.

* Paper - Hands down the best app for drawing, painting and sketching.

How many real friends do you have? How to count them...

Do you have fewer than 10 friends? If so, find a few more. 

A recent study of both men and women found that those with 10 or more friends were better off psychologically. Unfortunately, Facebook friends don’t count. The definition of a true friend for this study was someone you actually meet with, in person, once a month or more. Seeing the same person 10 times doesn’t count either. You need 10 or more different friends. If you’re tempted to count family members, that’s okay, but only if you’re a guy. The study also found that seeing 10 or more family members a month was beneficial for men, but not for women. 

Could you be sued for a bad review?

If you’re tempted to vent about bad business or customer service online, you could wind up even MORE disgruntled. 

Some companies actually go after people who post negative reviews. Defamation is typically the legal charge - and it could cost you a fortune. If they can prove you’ve made any false statements, they can actually win. Posting anonymously doesn’t necessarily protect you. They may still be able to find you through the review site. While some states have protection for online reviewers, you should seriously consider hiring a lawyer if you ever receive a threatening letter from a company you have reviewed. 

Do you wear ankle boots? What that says about your personality...

Our shoes can speak volumes about our personality - and they speak the truth. 

In a Journal of Research in Personality study, participants were able to accurately determine factors such as age, gender and income range just by looking at shoes. 

The participants made some other sole assumptions based on shoes too. Pointy-toed shoes or high heels were more likely to be on the feet of a less emotionally stable person than round-toed or flat-heeled shoes. More masculine-looking shoes were thought to be worn by less agreeable people. Stylish shoes were assumed to be donned by rich, conscientious types. And people rocking ankle boots came across as more aggressive.

Who answers the door when you’re not home? How YOU can...

How would you like to have a doorman who could monitor who’s knocking or prowling around? 

Home security systems have come a long way and you no longer have to be rich and famous to screen your visitors. 

DoorBot is one option. Attach it to your home and and it will broadcast live video of whoever rings your bell right to your phone via the free app. You’ll even be able to communicate with the visitor intercom-style, from anywhere. While celebrities pay a fortune to monitor their gates, DoorBot will keep you covered for just $199. It’s even got night vision so you can see your who’s there in the dark. 

Did you tip your garbage collector for the holidays?

If you tipped your garbage collector for the holiday, you’re a good customer. 

According to a survey by Consumer Reports, 90% of us did NOT do that last year. Of the customers that did, $20 was the average gift. How about your mail carrier? About 13% of us gave them cash, another 8% gave them a gift. House cleaners clean up the most at this time of year. 68% of them get about $50 in cash or gifts. Teachers and hairdressers were next on the gift list. About half of them get something worth around $20 at this time of year.

You’ve been a victim of fraud! Food fraud.

Fraud is everywhere these days - even in our food. 

Food fraud is a growing epidemic and cheap imitation ingredients are sneaking into our favorite food items. According to Dr. Mark Stoeckle, senior research associate at the Rockefeller University, it’s hard for consumers to really know what’s inside. High cost ingredients are especially susceptible to fraud, and are often replaced with less expensive imposters. Here are the top offenders on the food fraud list:

* Olive oil, even extra virgin, can be easily cut with hazelnut oil - which could pose a threat to anyone with nut allergies.

* Milk can contain added sugar, salt and skim powder, none of which is listed on the label. 

* Tea bags are sometimes supplemented with lawn grass.

* Expensive white tuna can be easily switched for cheaper escolar.

* Your favorite fruit juices are usually mostly apple, regardless of what the label says.

* Honey is often diluted with sugar syrup, corn and high fructose corn syrup.

Your best protection against food fraud is to buy whole products whenever possible. While you may not be able to milk your own cow, press your own olive oil or harvest real honey from your hive, some foods are relatively easy to make yourself. Buy a whole lemon instead of lemon juice and loose tea instead of bags. 

If you like potato chips, we’ve got the best and worst picks...

Potato chips are a favorite indulgence of snackers. 

If you can’t eat just one, The Daily Meal has found the best and worst, by the handful:

* Ruffles: More ridges, more calories. It’s the worst chip offender on the list. Ruffles only allows chip lovers to snack on 12 chips per 160-calorie serving. They're the #2 selling chip in America.

* Lays: The most popular chip. Though the calories are the same, Lay’s chips give you three more chips per serving at 160 calories per serving - 15 chips.

* Kettle Brand: Their calorie-to-chip ratio is better, but “kettle cooked” does not account for a healthier chip. 150 calories per serving 13 chips.

* Wise: Slightly better, Wise chips come in at 150 calories per 16 chips. These greasy little chips don’t beat out many of it’s partners by much. 

* Pringles: Duck face with them as much as you like, but you may want to refrain from eating too many of them. At 150 calories per 16 chips, once you "pop" a small can, you’ll eat all 20. A regular can has 80. That’s 750 calories for the 3rd most popular chip on the market. 

Sick of shopping yet? How it could actually be making you healthier...

Most of us just got healthier this month - by shopping. 

Researchers are convinced it’s good for us. Shopping releases endorphins, boosts immunity and can even help us live longer. All that running around can really add up. One study found that women walk an average of 180 miles per year while shopping - the equivalent of seven marathons. 

Another study found shopping builds confidence and self esteem. It can challenge creative thinking and decision making, while giving our brains a much needed break from everyday tasks at work and at home.

If one piece of bread is moldy, should you toss the whole loaf?.

Moldy bread or cottage cheese might be easy to spot - but what about the mold we didn’t see? 

A lot of food has hidden mold in there and some of it could be dangerous. For some people, eating mold could trigger asthma and allergies. Some mold could even be deadly, like the species found in peanuts. If you wind up with a bag of peanuts that smell or taste foul, throw it away! 

If you’re tempted to just cut off the moldy part and eat the rest, it’s not a good idea with soft or liquid foods. Molds have long, threadlike structures that grow rapidly. You won’t get it all. If you find mold on one slice of bread, toss the whole loaf. The same goes for dairy products like sour cream, cottage cheese and yogurt. 

Cheese is a different story. Some of them are supposed to be moldy and are protected by their culture. As long as they’re refrigerated and sealed, that mold is fine. For cheese like cheddar and other hard foods, it’s okay to cut off a moldy patch and enjoy the rest. Just take care that the knife doesn’t touch the mold.

Which of your bills do you pay first?

Does your car loan bill go to the top of the stack? 

It does for most Americans. According to a study by TransUnion, car loans, overall, have the fewest delinquency rates. So which bill ends up on the bottom? The mortgage payment. The credit card bill is most often on top of that one. 

According to Ted Jenkin, a certified financial planner, most of us have our bill-paying priorities all wrong. He says, after food and medical care, we should be paying in this order: Housing, utilities and then transportation. And while you could lose your wheels if you don’t pay for them, you could go to jail for not paying priorities like alimony, child support and taxes. 

If you’d like to look younger, do these three things.

If you’d like to look ten years younger, smile, sit up straight and fix your hair. 

In a study where participants were asked to guess the age of photographs, subjects were estimated at about ten years younger when their expression was a natural, wide smile. When the expression was neutral, the estimated age was most accurate. If they looked fearful, sad or mad, they looked a lot older.

Posture had a big impact on age perception as well. Those who slouched looked older, and shaved years off their look when they sat up straight. After facial expression and posture, the next most aging factors was hair and eyebrows. Frizzy or damaged hair and unruly or thinning eyebrows can add years to your appearance. Get a handle on those and you’ll look significantly younger. 

Here is your 2014 New Year's resolution...

Your New Year’s resolution for 2014 should be… plan a trip. 

It can be anywhere, with anyone. According to the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, travel is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Their study found that Women who vacationed only every six years had a significantly higher risk of developing a heart attack or coronary death compared with women who vacationed at least twice a year. Men who did not take an annual vacation were shown to have a 20% higher risk of death and about a 30% greater risk of death from heart disease.

The researchers also say that the benefits of travel are immediate. After just one or two days, you’ll likely experience a significant drop in stress. The sooner you start planning your trip, the better. Just looking forward to your trip triggers the health benefits. 

Want to be sure your gift arrives on time? Check the shipping deadlines here...

It’s not too late to send your gifts and cards in time for Christmas. 

Here are some shipping options to guarantee delivery:

* If you’re sending letters and cards within the U.S., tomorrow is the last day to do that.

* USPS priority mail packages need to go out by Saturday, the 21st. 

* If you go with Express Mail within the U.S., you have until Monday, the 23rd.

* UPS can get it there in time if you choose Next Day Air or Second Day Air.

* FedEx has same day service available on the 25th. 

Don't buy that makeup or toothpaste until you read this...

Most of us smear, lather and spray mysterious ingredients right onto our bodies every day. 

The list of chemicals and compounds used in personal hygiene products and cosmetics are often long and misleading. Now there’s an app that helps take some of the mystery out of those labels and helps you choose safer products. It’s called Skin Deep and it was developed by EWG, the Environmental Working Group. It's free, and it's fascinating. 

Once installed, just scan the bar code of the product with your phone and Skin Deep will let you know what you’re about to put onto - and into your body. With thousands of products and ingredients in the database, the app will display potential concerns including cancer, allergy and hormonal risk and rate that product on a safety scale. Check your makeup, sunscreen, toothpaste, shampoo and more. Skin Deep will even provide you with safer alternatives if your product is toxic.

Plan to finish your shopping in the “As Seen On TV” aisle?

When all else fails, head for the “As Seen On TV” aisle. 

Consumer Reports has rated those last minute gifts to save you some time and money:

* Lint Lizard: It’s almost like a magic wand! it sucked up an additional 15 to 52 grams of lint from different ductwork. 

* Ninja Master Prep Professional: This all-in-one kitchen appliance really can chop, blend, grate and more.

* Ooma: This Internet phone device a standout among VolP phone services and is reliable with good voice quality. Setup is easy and you’ll get free domestic calls and dirt-cheap international rates.

* Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair: It worked fast to push lots of hair into the chamber behind the brushes. Other devices required constant stopping and replacement of sheets, and no single sheet collected much hair

* Flex Seal: It may keep that boat afloat, but it took three coats of Flex Seal to plug pipe holes, and larger holes blew out under water pressure. 

* Pocket Hose: It works great, for a while. While they’re lightweight and easy to store, they’re also easy to crack, split and tear.

* Schticky and Sticky Buddy silicone rollers: They work, but you might want to schtick to other methods. Removing lint and hair from the rollers takes more work than the commercial suggests.

Could you be sued for trying to save someone’s life?

If you know CPR or the Heimlich maneuver - use it. 

While some people are afraid of legal repercussions in the event of a life-saving maneuver gone wrong, you’ll have the Good Samaritan law on your side in most states. The wording varies from state to state, but it generally goes something like this: Any person who, in good faith, renders emergency medical care or assistance to an injured person at the scene of an accident or other emergency shall not be liable in civil damages in the course of such care or assistance.

In the event of an emergency, don’t fall victim to “crowd mentality.” This is the assumption that someone else will step in and save the day. Even better, get yourself certified and stay current with lifesaving skills that change from time to time. You’ll be glad someone else did if YOU’RE that emergency.

Have you exercised your love muscle today?

If you’d like to live longer, exercise your love muscle. 

A lot of us take love for granted but there is scientific evidence that it can significantly improve your overall health and longevity. People who experience loving moments every day tend to have better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system. Barbara L. Fredrickson, author of “Love 2.0,” says we should all be exercising our love every day. It only takes a few minutes - and you can flex your love with your partner, your boss or even a perfect stranger. 

Start with a little more eye contact, a warm smile and some pleasantries. At the end of your day, set aside a little time to focus on the encounters you experienced. Did you feel connected to anyone? Do you care what happens to them? Could you feel more connected and compassionate tomorrow? Conjuring up warm feelings and positive thoughts will improve your capacity for love and your overall wellbeing. 

Got a sore throat? These homemade remedies really work...

The next time you get a sore throat, you’ve got some real relief right at home. 

According to naturopathic physician Carrie Runde, these home remedies can be very effective at reducing sore throat pain and inflammation - and could even speed recovery: 

* Carrot therapy: You’ll need 2 large carrots, a handkerchief, plastic wrap and a scarf. Grate the carrots, fold those into a handkerchief and secure loosely to your neck with some plastic wrap and a scarf. Relax for 40 minutes. Those carrots will help to clean your lymph glands of toxins and soothe that sore throat.

* Washcloth hydrotherapy: Lay a cool, washcloth over your throat and chest and relax for 30 minutes. It cools that burning throat from the outside. You’re body heat will warm the cloth and increase healing blood flow to the area.

* Bone broth soup: Chicken soup is good. Chicken soup made from the bones is even better. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory.

If you can’t wait for Santa, start following him here...

Wonder what Santa Claus is doing right now? 

Just follow him on Twitter. He’s tweeting up a storm @Santa. He’s a pretty funny guy and even chimes in about Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves from time to time. He’s also busy providing Norad with timely updates. At NoradSanta.com you can watch the countdown and explore the South Pole while you’re waiting. Don’t forget to friend Santa Claus on Facebook. He’s posting several times an hour with photos of his workshop, sleigh and more.

https://twitter.com/santa 
http://www.noradsanta.org 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Claus/583655165015783

The next time you go to Japan, don’t leave a tip. Rude behavior abroad...

If you’re traveling to a foreign country, don’t be rude. 

Here are some common mistakes Americans travelers make from Reader’s Digest: 

* Don't tip in Japan. Service at restaurants and hotels will likely be exceptional in Japan, but tipping isn't done; and it could be seen as degrading.

* Don't smile at strangers in Russia. They'll see it as an intimate gesture, indicating a genuine affinity toward another person. If you don't know them, they might consider you insincere.

* Don't use your left hand in India. The left hand is thought of as unclean in Indian culture, so always use your right hand to greet someone, exchange money, or pick up merchandise.

* Don't eat everything on your plate in China. That suggests your host didn't provide enough food or a filling meal. Don’t forget to burp as a compliment to the chef. 

* Don't honk in Norway. It's only used in an emergency and could cause drivers to panic.

* Don't forget to say hello in France. "Bonjour madame, monsieur" should be the first words out of your mouth, otherwise you're subtly showing you feel the person is beneath you.

* Don't talk with your hands in your pockets in Germany. It's considered rude. It's also customary to keep your hands on the table while eating, rather than resting them in your lap.

Is your night light red, white or blue? Why it matters...

Take a good look at your bedroom tonight. Hopefully, you’ll see nothing. 

Most of us have some sort of light in there, from a clock, a gadget, a night light or from the hallway - and that’s no good. Researchers used hamsters for a recent night light study because of their physiological similarities to us. One group of hamsters got to sleep in full darkness. The other groups had to sleep exposed to dim light, either red, white or blue. The hamsters’ behavior was observed the next day. The dark room sleepers were happy hamsters, enjoying their tasks which included some swimming. The red light hamsters had a pretty good day too. The blue and white light hamsters did not fare as well. They showed signs of depression, spent the least time swimming and were generally cranky hamsters. 

If you need a night light or illuminated clock in your room, your best bet is to go with one which glows red - especially if you have a hamster.

Scientists put anti-bacterial soaps to the test. The results...

If you think anti-bacterial soaps do a better job - the FDA disagrees. 

They recently announced that their studies found no evidence that common anti-bacterial soaps prevent the spread of germs - and may even pose a health risk to consumers. They have proposed new rules and regulations that would require the makers of these products to prove their germ-killing claims. The concern is that the chemicals used to kill bacteria could actually result in bacterial resistance or hormonal effects. The new proposed rule applies to liquid and bar versions of anti-bacterial soap and not to hand sanitizers and wipes that are alcohol based.

More studies are slated to look at the potential health hazards of other anti-bacterial products such as kitchen knives, toys, pacifiers and toothpaste which contain the same chemicals.

If you get clothes for Christmas, you might want to return them right away.

Giving someone clothes for Christmas? Include the receipt! 

The best day of the year to buy clothes just happens to be December 26th. While you might cringe at the thought of fighting the crowds, you may be able to return and re-buy that pair of pajamas or great sweater for a fraction of the price on that day. Plan your returns early if you want a good selection. Many department store racks will be picked clean by December 27th.

You’ll never guess who invented hot cocoa and marshmallows.

It wasn’t an Eskimo or even the Swiss who invented hot cocoa - we have the Mayans to thank for that. 

Cocoa beverages were an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD and the Mayans later perfected a spicy sipping chocolate, usually served cold. It was a far cry from the sweet Swiss Miss variety of today. The Mayan beverage was medicinal and made from a cocoa paste mixed with water, cornmeal and chili peppers.

Meanwhile, around the same time, Egyptians were busy inventing the marshmallow. That was medicinal too, made from pounding the gummy root of the mallow plant, harvested from swamps. Before marshmallow found it’s way into hot cocoa, it was used to soothe sore throats and as a sticky ointment for wounds.

There is one place in your house NOT to put a plant. The hot spot they hate...

If you’d like your houseplants to be happy - do NOT put them near your WiFi router. 

In a recent study, the growth and health of plant seeds placed near a wireless router were compared with some grown away from the WiFi. The results: after just 12 days, the WiFi seeds had either not grown at all or were completely dead, while the seeds in the WiFi free zone were doing just fine and had blossomed into healthy plants.

No fancy labs or scientists were required for this study, which earned top honors in a regional science competition for five 9th grade girls in Denmark. Science experts were so impressed that they plan to recreate the experiment in a controlled scientific environment.

Did you miss Black Friday and Cyber Monday? No problem. Why shopping on Tuesday is better anyway...

If you still have some online shopping to do, consider waiting until Tuesday. 

Tuesdays are often the best day to shop online - at any time of year. For some reason, most online retailers post discounts and new items on Tuesdays. Those specials usually kick in during the overnight so you may want to stay up extra late Monday night or get up early on Tuesday for the best selection.

If you’ll be shopping in person, consider taking a long lunch on Monday. According to Market Watch, December 16th is slated to be the sanest shopping day between now and Christmas.

Some foods don’t mix with some medications. Dangerous combos...

You may already know that you shouldn’t drink grapefruit juice...

...if you’re taking some commonly prescribed medicines that fight infections, reduce cholesterol, treat high blood pressure and heart problems. The don’t mix list is pretty long and it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are some other foods to be careful with when you take medication:

* Bananas: Don’t mix those with diuretics or ACE inhibitors used to treat low blood pressure. Too much potassium can result in irregular heartbeat and palpitations.

* Kale: Don’t eat it with blood thinners like warfarin. The vitamin K can reduce it’s anti-clotting effects. Be careful with other greens like broccoli, cabbage, spinach and brussels sprouts too.

* Milk: Don’t drink that with tetracycline antibiotics. Milk and other dairy can prevent you from absorbing the drug.

* Salami: Skip that if you’re taking medication for a bacterial infection. Aged, smoked and fermented foods could cause your blood pressure to spike.Don’t mix with:

* Walnuts: Don’t mix them with thyroid drugs. They interfere with absortion.

* Alcohol: You really do need to heed those warnings on the bottle. Just a few drinks mixed with acetaminophen, Tylenol, can damage your liver. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can magnify side effects or cause serious problems like internal bleeding, breathing and heart problems. 

Most people can cure a case of the hiccups by holding their breath - this way...

Got the hiccups? Hold your breath - and keep holding it. 

According to Dr. Luc Morris, surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, there’s a trick to holding your breath that can significantly improve your chances for success at curing the hiccups. First, take in as much air as you can and hold it for ten seconds. Then, don’t exhale. Take in a little more air - you can do it. Just five more seconds. One last tiny gasp and another five seconds. Now, exhale and breathe normally. Your hiccups should be gone. 

Hiccups are caused by spasms in the diaphragm and this 20 second three breath exercise relaxes the diaphragm and interrupts the annoying rhythm of the spasms. 

Can’t think of a gift? I bet they don’t have one of these yet...

If you need a gift idea for the person who has almost everything - how about a HAPIfork? 

Everyone needs to eat and this Bluetooth-Enabled Smart Fork will help keep the hard-to-shop-for healthy. It's an electronic fork that lights up and vibrates if you’re eating too fast. Once you’re finished eating, you can check your eating stats including how many bites you took per minute. 

Once you become aware of how fast you’re forking, HAPIfork creator Jacques Lépine says you’re less likely to experience indigestion and gastric reflux - and more likely to lose weight. The HAPIfork costs $99 and also comes with an online coaching program to help you curb bad eating behavior. Merry munching!

If you’ve been experiencing mysterious headaches, it could be your phone.

Feeling car sick lately? If you’ve got an iPhone, that could be the problem. 

Users were warned that the new iOS 7 software and it’s parallax effect could feel weird - and for some, it’s a real problem. Headaches and nausea are the primary complaints. People who are sensitive to motion sickness, 3D movies or Imax films are most likely to feel iSick from their iPhone or iPad. The subtle 3D effect can throw your vision and inner ear balance mechanism slightly out of sync, resulting in - blech! 

There is a setting to reduce motion which may help a bit, but there is no way of getting rid of the parallax effect completely on iOS 7.

Have you yelled at your kids today? How that approach could backfire, big time...

If you’ve never yelled at your kids, give yourself a gold star. 

For the rest of us, we need to be really careful about yelling, criticizing and insults. A recent study found that children who grow up exposed to that are at high risk for developing some serious anxiety and depression. Even children with loving, kind parents who went off the deep end from time to time showed symptoms.

According to Byron Egeland, professor of child development at University of Minnesota, parental verbal aggression toward a kid is very damaging, as much so as physical abuse in some cases. Trying to make up for bad parenting with over-the-top good parenting doesn’t help and won’t erase negative or traumatic talk. All children will need verbal discipline from time to time - but parents need to take a deep breath first and deliver that in a firm tone without the volume or the insults.

You can lose weight in just one minute.

Want to lose weight? Pick up the pace, for just one minute. 

A recent study found that every minute of intense activity, such as running up a flight of stairs, can have a significant impact on your BMI. Here’s what they found:

For a typical 5-foot, 5-inch woman, each daily minute of higher-intensity activity had the equivalent calorie offset of 0.41 pounds for one short bouts. If she did that minute 10 times in the course of her day, she would weigh four pounds less in seven days.

For men, each minute of higher-intensity activity per day had the equivalent calorie offset of 0.27 pounds for short bouts. Each extra minute per day would result in a 2% drop in his likelihood of being obese.

Can drinking tequila really stave off dementia and colon disease?

Have you heard? Drinking tequila can help protect you from dementia and colon disease.

If that sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is. While Mexican researchers did discover that the agave plant, which tequila comes from, contains high levels of colon-friendly inulin, any health benefits from the plant are lost once it’s fermented to make alcohol.

Some studies have found that moderate alcohol consumption can help stave off dementia in older people - but sadly, tequila is no magic bullet. It’s likely the social interaction that moderate drinkers enjoy that provide the real benefit. 

Are you going to need batteries with that? Which brand to buy...

If batteries are not included - don’t waste your money on a pack of duds. 

Consumer Reports put AA batteries to the test and found a significant difference. Lithium batteries performed much better than the alkaline, especially in cameras, which can drain a charge quickly. However, alkaline cost a lot less and can work just fine for low-drain devices like flashlights and remotes. 

The best performing lithium was the Energizer and the longest lasting alkaline was the Duracell. In some cases, those big-name brands lived almost twice as long as the bargain brand. 

Don't toss those cranberries just yet.

You might be sick of turkey and stuffing by now - but reconsider those cranberries. 

Those little gems are a true super-fruit. In the antioxidant category, cranberries outrank just about every other fruit and vegetable, including spinach, broccoli, strawberries and apples. They’re also rich in vitamin C and fiber and really low in calories for a fruit. They’re good for your immune system, your cognitive function and can even ward off tooth decay, gum disease, stomach ulcers, and food-borne illnesses. 

Fresh cranberries are in season from September through November but will last up to two months if stored in a tightly-sealed plastic bag. Just be sure to remove any softies from the bunch because they’ll cause the other’s to turn. Cranberries pack the most nutritional punch when eaten whole, if you can stand the pucker. If not, try tossing some into muffins, pies or even soups and stews. 

If you’d like to live longer, learn to like nuts.

Do you like nuts? If not, you should. 

A recent study of Americans by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, found that people who like nuts - and eat them on a regular basis - live longer. That’s likely because nuts are dense in nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals. Nut consumption has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, respiratory disease and cancer. 

What if you don’t like nuts? The no-nuts group in the study were 7% more likely to die than the nutty bunch during the course of the 30 year study. 

We all need a good night’s sleep - but how much is too much?

Eight hours of sleep is good. Any more than that, not so good. 

Researchers from the University of California discovered that those who regularly sleep 9 to 10 hours a night often have issues, including trouble falling asleep, difficulty waking up, daytime fatigue and even depression. 

Sleeping less than 7 hours a night puts us at risk as well. Several studies have linked shorter sleep to shorter life spans. Most experts agree, the sweet spot for sleep is between 7 and 8 hours a night.

If you think hookahs are harmless, think again.

If you’ve got a teen or college age student - pay attention. 

Hookah smoking is growing rapidly in popularity among this age group and very few users know the facts. Hookah fans often believe it’s benign compared with other types of smoking, and according to Joseph Caruso, professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati, “that is a load of BS.” His own son even swore off hookah smoking after learning the findings of his father’s recent study: 

Hookah smokers use a special tobacco mixture called shisha, sold online and in stores. They’re laced with chemical flavors such as chocolate, mint or cherry, to make them taste better. When tested, these tobaccos also contained toxic metals, including high levels of lead. Tobaccos from the Middle East, which are the most popular for hookahs, have twice the levels of metals as U.S. tobaccos. You don’t have to inhale to be at risk, and the hookah water does NOT filter them out as many would like to believe.

There are also possible contaminants from the metals and ceramics in the pipe itself - and the charcoal used to heat the tobacco. Don’t forget the highly addictive nicotine. Like all tobacco, hookah tobacco has that too. If you’re still tempted, consider the oral herpes and other germs all over that shared hookah pipe before you take a hit. 

Some of our favorite seasonal spices are loaded with health benefits.

Certain spices just seem to suit the season - and a few of our winter favorites have some significant health benefits:

* Cinnamon is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s got iron, calcium and manganese and is loaded with antioxidants too. It can help to lower bad cholesterol and even relieve congestion.

* Cloves rank the highest on the antioxidant spice scale. They can relieve symptoms of asthma and arthritis and even boost creativity and mental focus.

* Ginger is a wonder spice with super healthy compounds. It helps protect our organs and tissues and can sooth several seasonal woes.

* Nutmeg has antibacterial properties. Just a pinch can help stave off indigestion, gas, insomnia and anxiety. 

If you’ve got a Christmas tree - and a cat, here's some advice...

Your cat will really appreciate you dragging a whole tree into the house for his or her enjoyment ...

...but you might want to take some of the Christmas tree appeal away. Here are some tips to protect both your cat and the tree:

* An artificial tree might be the way to go if you have a young cat. They’re natural explorers and pine needles can do some real damage to a curious kitty. 

* Put foil around the base of the tree to discourage scratching and climbing. Most cats hate the texture of that. You’ll want to cover the tree water with a layer of foil too, as that can be toxic. 

* A corner is the best location for a cat-proof tree. Move furniture far enough away to prevent your cat from plotting a strategic pounce. 

* Orange peels really are a great repellant - cats don’t like them. Citrus air fresheners or extract work well too.

* No tinsel! Cats love to play with shimmery string. Ingesting it can cause serious damage and even death.

If you could use some cheering up, act like a fool.

The next time you’re feeling sad, jump up and down and wave your arms. 

According to meta-analysis by researchers from University of Munich, “happy” body movements can have a bigger impact on mood than anti-depressants. They measured the moods of participants before and after specific posturing and actions and found the movements could actually change state-of-mind in just moments and in some cases, last for hours. Negative posturing can be just as powerful as positive. Those who were asked to slump as if they were depressed actually started to feel less happy.

This is a great time of year to stock up on certain groceries.

December is notorious for sales - and the grocery store is no exception. 

Here are some items we all use that tend to cost less between Thanksgiving and Christmas:

* Butter: The price hovers around $4 a box for most of the year but can drop to $1.99 during the holidays. Stock up - it’s freezable.

* Sugar: This staple takes a $1 to $2 price cut in December, especially brown sugar and powdered sugar.

* Crackers: Look for sales on snack crackers and saltines; prices usually bottom out between 75 cents and $1 a box.

* Frozen vegetables: During the holidays, they can drop to as low as 50 cents a bag. 

* Bacon: It usually sells for $2.50 to $6, but it may fall to $1.50 a pack around this time. It freezes like a champ, so buy in bulk. 

* Poultry and pork: Turkey, chicken and ham drop to about .40 cents a pound the week after a holiday.

* Storage supplies: Many plastic bags, wraps, parchment papers, foils and reusable containers are about half price right now.

* Birthday cake mixes: Both everyday and seasonal flavors go on deep sales throughout the holidays. This is the time to buy white, yellow, and chocolate mixes. 

* Canned goods: Chicken broth, soups, green beans, fruit, and pumpkin can be used year round. Look for deals of half off—or more—on anything used in holiday feasts.

When is the last time your pillow saw the sun?

If your pillow isn’t what it used to be - it could probably use some fresh air and sun. 

Just 30 minutes in a sunny spot will not only freshen your pillows but will fluff them up a bit. That direct exposure to sunlight helps to evaporate moisture that accumulates inside the pillow. Do this once a month to keep your pillows fluffy and fresh - especially if your pillows are down. It’s also a good idea to fluff your pillows every morning to let them breathe a bit during the day.