What are the top selling backpacks for back-to-school?

Backpacks have come a long way in the past few years. 

They take a beating so if you’d like it to last all year long, skip the really cheap varieties. The top selling backpacks are Jansport and LL Bean – and their both pretty good investments. If you’re buying a lesser-known brand, watch for sloppy stitching and loose threads. Exposed fabric edges and zippers without protective flaps will also likely fray and wear out.

A lot of the popular character backpacks tend to be on the cheap side, so look for these important features. The best backpacks have padded straps, a place to tuck in dangling straps and reflective tape or fabric to keep your student visible at dusk and dawn.

No time to diet? You can look better in your bathing suit tomorrow if you do this today.

Would you like to look better in your bathing suit this weekend? 

Elle Magazine has the tips to get bikini-ready in just 24 hours. Starting now:

1. Skip the sodium and avoid processed foods.

2. Avoid alcohol – it’s a bloat producer.

3. Cut the carbs, especially of the white variety.

4. Drink lots of water. It will hydrate your skin and combat water retention.

5. Go raw. Raw veggies and fruits are chock full of H2O and stomach-flattening fiber.

6. Get moving. You want to keep your metabolism moving and your blood flowing.

Try to get a good night’s sleep and work those muscles again before show time. Stand up straight, feel good about all that hard work and let your inner bathing beauty out.

If wine is on your menu this weekend, don't skip the red.

Some people opt for white or rose wine during the summer, but there are some refreshing reds out there too. 

Look for red wines grown in white wine regions. Red wines from Northeast Italy and the Chablis region of France are bright and lively and not as heavy as your favorite winter reds. Sonoma, California reds tend to be on the lighter side as well.

Sangria is another great red option in the summer. If you’d like to make your own, go with a Spanish Garnache variety of red. They are usually lower in tannins and have a fruitier finish.

Should you encourage your child to step on the scale?

Is the bathroom scale a friend or foe? 

That depends. If you have a pre-teen or teen on the pudgy side – you might want to drag the scale out of the closet. A report in the Journal of Adolescent health found that overweight teens, especially boys, who frequently weighed themselves were better at managing their weight and actually shed a few pounds. 

However, if you’ve got a teenage girl in the house, you may want to ditch the bathroom scale. Adolescent girls who frequently self-weigh are more prone to binging or skipping meals.

If you’ve always wanted to be an actor, here’s your chance - to play doctor...

How would you like to play doctor - and get paid for it? 

There's one catch, you're the patient. Medical schools across the country actually pay people to fake it. They need willing actors to portray patients to give medical students a chance to practice their bedside manner and routine checkups. 

You can’t just lie there – you’ll really need to act a bit for your Standardized Patient role. You may have to portray a victim of domestic abuse or someone diagnosed with a terrible disease. Wannabe patients will be screened and trained and, once accepted, can earn anywhere from $25 to $200 per hour, depending on how in-depth the role is. You can find a list of participating medical schools at ASPeducators.org.

 

Is your satisfaction REALLY guaranteed?

If a product or company says “Satisfaction Guaranteed,” is it? 

Not really. In some cases you may get a full refund – but often it means you’ll get an exchange and your satisfaction won’t be guaranteed the second time out. Consumer Reports helps us decode some other pet marketing ploys:

• Going out of business. Really? They may just close, change their name and reopen. And going-out-of-business prices are NOT always lower.

• Free! It’s a powerful word but chances are there’s a catch, like a required purchase or higher fees and shipping.

There is a new crop of power verbs for your resume...

If you’ve got bullet points on your resume – you’ll need to make them count. 

The first word in each one should be a power verb to grab the reader’s attention. While you may have handled, managed or led some impressive stuff, those verbs are run-of-the-mill and a bit tired. Consider these actions instead:

• Chaired

• Controlled

• Executed

To really take ownership of something you created; launched, pioneered and spearheaded are good choices. If you just helped, consider the verbs influenced, overhauled and integrated. Using your thesaurus can AID you in DEFINING your EXPERTISE to CAPITALIZE your ASSETS and POSITION your resume on the PINNACLE of the pile.

Heat stroke is really serious and even deadly. How to spot the symptoms...

Could you be at risk of heat stroke? 

It can happen to anyone – but if you’re over 50, a runner, or a young athlete, you’re especially at risk. Heat stroke is a medical emergency which needs immediate attention. It can damage the brain and other organs and even kill. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Fainting or dizziness

• Throbbing headache

• Lack of sweating 

• Red, hot, and dry skin

• Nausea and vomiting

• Rapid heartbeat

• Rapid, shallow breathing

• Behavioral changes such as confusion or staggering

• Seizures

• Unconsciousness

If you witness anyone experiencing these symptoms in the heat, call 911 and administer first aid until help arrives. Get the person out of the sun, remove clothing and try to get their temperature down with ice, water or fanning. Any delay can be fatal. 

Did you know you can tweet someone a coffee?

If you’re on Twitter and would like to tweet an actual coffee to someone – you can. 

Starbucks can turn a virtual coffee into the real thing for one of your deserving contacts. You have to sign up first at Starbucks.com and link up with your Twitter. Then just type @tweetacoffee to the desired Twitter handle. You can include a short note with it if you like and they can redeem that $5 tweet at any participating Starbucks. 

We can expect more companies to be jumping on the Twitter gift bandwagon. For $5, you can tweet a Coke to a friend – but for now, they’ll have to find a participating Regal Cinema to enjoy it in.

Do you watch TV after work to relax? How that can backfire...

After a hard day at work, you’ve earned some TV or game time. 

That could backfire, according to a new study in the Journal of Communication. Researchers watched participants who watch TV – or play video games after a stressful day at work. The results: Instead of feeling relaxed or rewarded, the gamers and couch potatoes ended up feeling like failures with higher levels of guilt.

While that TV or device time may help you detach from the stresses of work, it also helps you detach from life and the potentially productive post-work hours that can make you feel like you’ve really accomplished something, other than work. 

If you’ll be buying tobacco, alcohol, or plus size clothing - you might want to pay cash for that.

Did you know that the things you purchase can actually help or hurt your consumer wellbeing? 

Thanks to data-tracking analysis, no purchases are secret, unless you pay cash. Pam Dixon, founder of the World Privacy Forum, explains that while our credit rating reflects our financial health, our consumer rating is different and can reflect a lot more. These reports show in great detail what we buy, which can be used by lenders, insurers, employers and other businesses to set terms and conditions as they see fit. Unfortunately, there is no way to check your own consumer rating. However, you can impact your rating with some strategic purchasing. 

Pam says, if you’re buying tobacco or alcohol, pay in cash if you don’t want that to negatively affect your consumer health score. The same goes for purchases of books on addiction or health problems, even if it’s for a friend. Go ahead and use your credit card to buy a book about exercise and fitness. Buying nice clothes increases your score. Buying too many clothes suggests you’re impulsive and undisciplined. If you’re buying plus-size clothing – pay in cash. Plus size purchasers are scored as less healthy.

Hate mosquitoes? There’s an app for that.

Have you downloaded a bug repellent app? 

There are several that claim to repel mosquitoes. The Anti-Mosquito Sonic Repeller emits a high frequency sound which is supposed to keep mosquitoes away. The Mosquito Repellent app from Green Mobile claims to do the same thing. 

There’s just one problem, according to entomologist Dr. Joon Lee. He says while the noise may keep male mosquitoes away, the females can’t hear it and they’re the ones that bite. While some users swear they work, others have given the apps a thumbs down, suggesting the sound may even attract mosquitoes instead of repelling them.

If you’re ever confronted by an aggressive dog – don’t make the wrong move.

That dog may look friendly – but will it bite? 

Professional dog trainer, Victoria Stilwell, says knowing how to spot an aggressive dog is the first line of defense. While growling or snarling are obvious warning signs, some dogs exhibit more subtle signs before they bite, such as a moment of tension or a slight freeze. Victoria has some valuable advice if you encounter a potentially dangerous dog:

• Avoid eye contact 

• Turn your body slowly to the side 

• Cross your arms Completely ignore the dog 

• Be still for a short period then move slowly away

• Try to get to a place where there is a barrier between you and the dog.

If you sense an attack is imminent, try not to scream. If possible, find something, even an article of your own clothing, to cover the dog’s head so it cannot see. Blocking a dog’s vision will normally cause it to disengage.

Do you know a young girl or woman with a raspy voice?

If you’ve noticed more adolescent girls and young women with raspy or squeaky voices, blame vocal fry. 

It’s been a gradual trend and some girls don’t realize their speech patterns can permanently damage their vocal chords. Vocal fry is a low creaky vibration caused by fluttering of the vocal chords, typically dragging out that last vowel. Think Kardashiaaaan. Some experts consider it vocal abuse and even a self-inflicted disorder. Vocal fry is somewhat of an epidemic, starting in middle and high school with about 2/3 of college age women speaking it. 

Once out of college, these women may want to consider dropping the vocal fry. A recent Duke University study found that hiring managers were less likely to hire applicants speaking fry as they were perceived as less trustworthy and competent, and in some cases, downright annoying. Vocal fry is habit forming that can fry your vocal chords. It causes muscle strain, swelling and potentially even lesions and other damage.

Move over smart phones, smart cars and smart watches – smart shoes are in town.

If you like to walk, you might love a smart new pair of shoes. 

They’re called Lechal shoes - Bluetooth enabled footwear that are ready to lead the way. The smart shoes sync up with an app on your phone and will actually guide you to your destination by vibrating the coinciding foot at every turn. 

The Lechal shoes look like high-tech water shoes – but the device can be removed and put into a less conspicuous pair. They’ll be available this September for $100 to $150.

If you’re looking for a last-minute summer rental, these celebrity homes are available...

If you’d like to live like the rich and famous for a few days – there is some star-studded real estate for rent – and a few of them aren’t much more per night than a luxury resort:

• Actor Willem Dafoe rents his Rubber House, an architectural gem in Hudson Valley New York, for $500 per night with a three-night miniumum.

• Captain & Tennille now own an impressive home previously owned by Denzel Washington and Jimmy Page in Malibu, California, overlooking Broad and Zuma beaches. $490 per night.

• Harry Houdini’s mansion in the Hollywood Hills, with a magical pool, is popular for large-party rentals for $1,000 per night.

• Orson Welles amazing Hollywood retreat features a lagoon-style pool, dry sauna and game room. The current owner even found the original Rosebud sled from Citizen Cane in the basement. You can see it mounted on the wall, for $895 per night. 

When it comes to sleep, seven is the new eight.

We’ve been told forever that we need eight hours of sleep each night. 

But new research says that number is off a bit. More than one million adult sleepers participated in a six year study with University of California San Diego that found sweet spot for sleep – and seven is the new eight. If you really want the premium scientific sleep, set your alarm for 7.1 hours after you hit the sheets. 

Tempted to take another selfie? Just say no! When to kick the habit...

Selfies may be popular but you might be overdoing it. 

If you’re Ellen at the Oscars with a bunch of celebrities, that’s one thing. If you’re alone in your basement, well that’s kind of sad. There are a few situations where a selfie may be in order: Something really interesting is happening in the background, you and your adorable child are having a great time, you have an impressive injury, or you’re an astronaut. But even those selfies should be used sparingly to avoid looking lonely or self-absorbed. If you think you might be overdoing it, check for these warning signs:

• You are over 15.

• You have more than one selfie per page of profile shots.

• You have any duck-face selfies.

• You have bathroom mirror selfies.

• You use pets and children as another excuse for a selfie.

If you’re really looking great and want to show the world, go ahead and ask someone to take your picture. If it’s just another day, stick to the original selfie – the mirror.

Looking for a good summer read? Bill Gates has some suggestions...

There’s still time to get some good summer reading in. 

Here is a must-read list from an unlikely source – Bill Gates. He started a blog for Summer 2014 reading called GatesNotes. His paper picks include:

• The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. It’s about a ruthless computer genius.

• The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin, where mergers create powerful corporations, wars rage in distant lands and the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

• Business Adventures by John Brooks. It’s Gates’ favorite business book.

• The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert explores the next extinction on Earth we humans are bringing about.

• Stress Test by Tim Geithner is about the trials and tribulations about the former Treasury secretary.

What do you buy a prince for his 1st birthday?

Now that little Prince George has opened his 1st birthday presents, let’s see what he got:

• A crocodile. A REAL, live crocodile. Its name is George too and it already has its own Facebook page – George the Royal Crocodile.

• Meerkats from the Dudley and West Midlands Zoological Society.

• A bull from the Samburu people of Kenya. It will be king of the royal herd they plan to start.

• His own currency. The official Prince George coin is sterling silver and is already sold out. 

• A field of flowers from Grandpa Charles’ friend, Count Tibor Kálnoky.

• A surfboard from the mayor of Australia's Manly Beach.

• a precious stone globe with a cross from the Pope

• A baby bomber jacket to wear from his friends at Stevenson Campus Air Hangar in Canada. Let’s hope someone got him a bib.

Looking for a great new workout? Try the good old hula-hoop.

You may have hula-hooped for fun as a kid – but now you’ve got an even better reason to give it a whirl. 

Hooping can provide an excellent cardio workout and also has meditative benefits once you get back into the swing of it. You’ll need a new hoop. That kid-sized version won’t do now that you’re taller. Hula-hoops have come a long way and are now available in a variety of styles. From simple, inexpensive light-weight practice hoops to high tech lighted hoops that will inspire you to hoop at night put on a show.

Hopping can burn up to 600 calories an hour. The whirling rhythm and rocking back and forth stimulates the heartbeat and can do wonders for coordination and balance too.

Big Heads and New Jobs

Big Head

Do you have a big head? Why that could be really good news, in a minute…

If you’ve got a big head – look at the bright side. You may be limited in the hat department but you’ve probably got better memory than the rest of us. Studies on skull circumference found that larger heads give the brain cells a little more breathing room which can keep the memory banks open.

The study also looked at Alzheimer’s patients and found that those with larger heads performed better on memory and cognition tests.

Looking for a great new workout? Try the good old hula-hoop. 

You may have hula-hooped for fun as a kid – but now you’ve got an even better reason to give it a whirl. Hooping can provide an excellent cardio workout and also has meditative benefits once you get back into the swing of it. You’ll need a new hoop. That kid-sized version won’t do now that you’re taller. Hula-hoops have come a long way and are now available in a variety of styles. From simple, inexpensive light-weight practice hoops to high tech lighted hoops that will inspire you to hoop at night put on a show.

Hopping can burn up to 600 calories an hour. The whirling rhythm and rocking back and forth stimulates the heartbeat and can do wonders for coordination and balance too.

New Job Strategy

If you’re starting a new job – show up early and stay late. 

First impressions can be lasting – especially if you’re starting a new job. Salary.com has some great strategies to start you off on the right foot:

• Show up early and stay late. This not only shows you’re taking your new job seriously, it gives you a valuable peek at your coworkers and the environment before and after business as usual.

• No complaining. There will be plenty of time for that. Start off with a positive attitude and leave the griping to the more experienced colleagues.

• You’ll have questions –so go ahead and ask. If there are a lot, you may want to keep a running list and have one Q & A session instead of 20.

• Bite your tongue. While you may be the smartest one in the room, you don’t want to come off as a know-it-all right out of the gate. Pace yourself Einstein. 

Have you got a knot in your back?

Most of us have experienced a knot in the back.

 It’s usually in the shoulder blade area and relief is just a bounce away. Massage therapist Donald O. Miles says a tennis ball can do wonders to untie that knot. You’ll need a sock too. Sling the tennis ball sock over your shoulder and stand against a wall. Line it up with your sore spot and lean into it for as long as you can. It may be just a few seconds at first. Repeat throughout the day and you can gradually work the knot out.

Between your tennis ball massage sessions, it’s a good idea to alternate cold and hot packs to your knot at 15 minute intervals. It’s also important to get up and move, even if you don’t feel like it. Walk around, shrug and roll your shoulders and gently stretch the arms and neck.

Could you be allergic to your iPad?

iPad allergy – it’s a real thing. 

Kids are most susceptible and it’s the nickel in there that starts them itching. Sensitivity to nickel is not uncommon and children tend to be more sensitive to it. For about 16% of us, using an iPad without a case can trigger an itchy skin rash. It’s the same component that has set off a rash of rashes for Fitbit users.

Signs of nickel allergy include rash or bumps on the skin, itching, redness or dry patches that may resemble a burn. If you or your child experience these symptoms after using an iPad or another device, you’ll need a Smart Case which provides overall coverage.

If back-to-school shopping is in your future – don’t forget your student ID.

For back-to-school shopping, you’ll need a list – and a student ID. 

Consumer Reports has a list of great deals all students and parents need to know about:

• For apparel, head to Banana Republic and J. Crew, where a college student ID will get you a 15% discount. Teachers are eligible too. Eastern Mountain Sports also offers 15 to 20 percent discounts.

• Apple offers education pricing online for college students or high school graduates anticipating the first semester. Parents buying for college students are also welcomed to use the discount. You can save up to $200 on a new Mac and up to $30 on a new iPad.

If you’re in the market for a back-to-school car, Chevrolet is offering college and graduate students discounts on any qualifying new Chevy. If a car is not in your budget, take mass transit. Greyhound offers students a 20% discount and Amtrak students are eligible for a 10% discount.

When is the last time you had your feet measured?

If you’ve been a size 9 shoe for years – go ahead and re-measure your feet. 

Our feet continue to change throughout our lives. Over time, tendons and ligaments lose some elasticity and don't hold the bones and joints together as well. Feet and ankles also tend to swell more with age. Dr. Rock Positano, of the Hospital for Special Surgery, says a lot of people continue squeezing into the wrong size shoe. Mechanically, when the shoe isn’t fitting correctly, it can cause the foot to work twice as hard. Wearing the wrong size can result in foot, leg, hip and back pain. 

In the old days, shoe stores measured each customer with a Brannock Device – every time. Those can be hard to find now, especially if you’re buying shoes on the fly, in a discount store or online. If you find a better shoe store, go ahead and have your foot measured, even if you don’t ultimately buy the shoes there. Do this near the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. If you’re like most people, one foot may be a half size bigger than the other. Go ahead and buy your shoes at the larger size and adjust the fit with insoles.

Size DOES matter – when it comes to eggs.

The next time you buy eggs – go with size Large...

...especially if you’ll be cooking with them. Most recipes call for large eggs and there really is a difference. Using a different size egg for cooking can alter the consistency. The variable is only about a quarter of an ounce between sizes – but that really adds up if you skip up or down a few sizes. The difference between a small and jumbo egg is a full ounce, almost double.

If you’ve gotten yourself into some poison ivy, get some of these home remedies...

Poison ivy is the pits. 

If you find a patch of the itchy rash developing on your skin, put these home remedies to work to keep it from spreading and help you cope with the itch:

• Apply some rubbing alcohol ASAP. It helps prevent the itchy elements from spreading and fully penetrating the skin.

• Lemon juice can also be effective at removing the toxic oils from the skin shortly after contact.

• A baking soda and water paste applied to the affected area can help draw some of the toxins to the surface of the skin. Apply the paste with gauze pads to any oozing blisters for 10 minutes, four times a day.

• Cucumber slices applied to itchy spots can help with inflammation and relieve some of the itch. Chill them first for extra "ahhh."

• Gently rubbing the rash with a banana peel can help cool and tame the itch temporarily. Watermelon rinds can help too.

The oils you cook with can affect your breathing. The good and bad choices...

Cooking with oil? Your choice could affect the way you breathe. 

New research found that certain cooking oils can increase lung inflammation and interfere with easy breathing – especially if you have asthma or compromised lung function. That’s because some types of oil decrease allergic reaction, while others can encourage it a bit.

You’ll breathe easier by using olive, sunflower and safflower oils. Problematic oils include soy, corn and canola oils.

If you’re in the mood for a little shopping today, try one of these stores...

Most retail stores have a standard markdown day of the week. 

ShopSmart Magazine has the best days for the best deals at some of our favorite stores:

• Marshalls and T.J. Maxx tend to do most of their markdowns on a Wednesday. Aim for later in the day or even wait until Thursday for the best price.

• Target marks down their clothes by department: Kids on Mondays, Women on Tuesdays and Mens clothing on Wednesday.

• Friday and Saturday nights are all right for Kohl’s. They’re open to 11 pm and prices are slashed up to 80%.

Are you just aging - or could you have diabetes?

More of us are at risk of developing diabetes than ever before. 

Our risk goes up after age 45 – and according to the American Diabetes Association, about 8 million of us have it and don’t even know it. Unfortunately, many people chalk up symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes to aging and let it go undiagnosed. Some red flags worth mentioning to your doctor include:

• Hearing loss or blurred vision. Diabetes harms the blood vessels in the ears and eyes. It can make focusing more difficult and result in hearing loss.

• Low energy and irritability. Diabetes deprives the body of fuel which can leave you feeling tired, hungry and cranky.

• Frequent urination and extreme thirst. Without treatment, diabetics can get very thirsty and overwhelm the kidneys.

• Tingling hands and feet. If you experience numbness, dry and itchy skin or find wounds take longer to heal, you could have diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes can be gradual and very subtle, so it’s important to pay attention. It can make a big difference if you can catch it early, delay or event prevent it.

That fire pit can keep bugs at bay – if you burn some of this...

If you enjoy sitting around the fire pit on a summer night – throw some sage on there. 

It smells great and bugs hate it. Another popular herb, lemon balm, is a natural repellent too. It’s super-easy to grow or you can buy it in bunches. Citronella is another plant that bugs hate. 

Some varieties of wood in your fire will do the trick too. Try some bark from a cedar tree, or toss some BBQ chunks of hickory or mesquite into your pit or chiminea. Just be sure to soak them in water first.

This daily email can improve your life.

If email is part of your daily routine – put a few to work for you. 

Shawn Achor, author of “The Happiness Advantage,” says you can improve your own quality with a daily email. Every morning, send a friend, family member or colleague an email thanking or praising them for something. Not only does this help you start the day on a positive note, it helps you do a little soul searching and to cement important relationships. 

At the end of the week, consider sending another email – to your boss. Sum up your accomplishments in a short, easy-to-read format. This professional courtesy keeps them in the loop without having to ask and is positive reinforcement for both of you.

Exercise is good. Too much exercise – not good at all.

No offense marathon runners – but you look old. 

Too much of a good thing, even exercise, can take a toll on your body and your looks. Cosmetic physician Dr. Van Park says one marathon Tough Mudder or triathlon every now and then is okay, but long term excessive exercise will hasten ageing. Just look at the faces of regular marathon runners.

Hard-core exercise puts the body under extreme stress which releases cortisol. Over time, those high levels can make you look old inside and out. Even jogging and heavy weight lifting can stress joints and damage delicate protective cartilage.

If you’re looking for love, find someone who reads.

If you’d like to fall in love with someone who is nicer and smarter and deeper than the average person, check the library. 

Studies have found people who enjoy deep reading, or who read fiction on a regular basis, are better at understanding other people and more able to appreciate different perspectives and points of view. 

Deep reading, as opposed to the superficial reading we do on the web or in newspapers and magazines, exposes us to insight and behavior of different genders, ages and walks of life. Once we put the book down, we tend to take those experiences with us into real life. 

Stuck for an idea or solution to something? How to get unstuck...

If you’ve been trying to figure something out for more than 15 minutes, stop trying. 

Our problem-solving skills plummet after that amount of time. According to Dr. Ron Friedman, author of “The Best Place to Work,” when we first encounter a problem, certain solution burst to mind. If none of those will do, our focus starts to narrow in and reevaluate the choices. That’s when we’re likely to lose sight of the big picture. 

Dr. Friedman says after 15 minutes, switch tasks. Once we let go of that problem and focus our attention elsewhere, our perspective expands and incubation begins. That’s our non-conscious thinking. The antidote or solution could present itself when we least expect it, like in shower or while performing another mundane task.

If you’ve got an iPhone, here are some handy features...

Do you have an iPhone? Try shaking it. 

If you’ve made a mistake while typing, that shake gives you the option to “undo” your last action. Here are some other handy features some iPhone users don’t know they have:

• Siri can read your emails to you. Just say “Read my email,” sit back, and enjoy. You can also ask Siri to find an email by name of sender. The same goes for text messages.

• Not sure what time that text came in? Drag the text bubble to the left to find out.

• If you’re using the camera for an action shot, hold down the capture button. It will take multiple photos so you can choose the best one.

• Swipe up from the bottom on your home screen. You have instant access to your flashlight, calculator, camera, music and settings there.

Does the left side of your face look older than the right?

Take a good look in the mirror. Do you see more fine lines, wrinkles or damage on the left side of your face? 

It’s possible, especially if you drive a lot. Researchers at the University of Washington studied cancer cases tracked by the U.S. government. They found that when melanoma affected one side of a person’s body, it was on the left side—the driver’s side—52 percent of the time. Truck drivers are especially prone to this kind of damage.

Tinted glass helps a little, but if you drive a lot, you really should be sure to apply sunscreen to your face, neck and left arm before you hit the road. 

Are you a hypnic jerk? What that is...

Have you ever drifted off to sleep only to be jolted awake by an involuntary spasm? 

That’s called a hypnic jerk and it actually serves a purpose. Some scientists believe this automatic reaction dates back through evolution to when humans often slept in trees, which is why we may even experience the sensation of falling just prior to the spasm. That hypnic jerk would signal our tree-sleeping ancestors to reposition themselves and prevent a fall as they drifted off. 

Another theory is that the brain can sometimes confuse sleep with death, activating some of the body's emergency "stay alive" mechanisms. That helps explain why hypnic jerks often wake up in a state of panic. 

Was your doctor dropped from your insurance plan? What you can do about that...

With recent changes in healthcare plans, many patients found their doctor’s name missing from their list of network physicians. 

According to Consumer Reports’ Medical Advisor Dr. Orly Avitzur, you may have a say in who you see. She says many of jer patients have elected to continue to see her even though she’s not in their network anymore. In most cases, Dr. Avitzur gives them a substantial discount from her regular fees. 

If you like your doctor, and want to keep your doctor, it’s worth the conversation. You can also file an appeal with your insurance company if switching doctor’s presents a hardship for you, especially if you’re undergoing treatment for a chronic condition.

If your phone is going to the beach with you – take one of these along...

Water, sand and sun are all fun – unless you’re a phone. 

Most people want to have their phone handy as they play or relax in the elements but that phone will need some protection. There are several waterproof cases on the market for your smartphone, but a zip lock baggie will work in a pinch. It will keep the sand, moisture and lotion off of your phone and you will still be able to use it, through the baggie. 

Heat is another hazard for your phone. Letting it overheat in the sun can kill your battery and do some real damage. Try to find a shady spot for your phone and close any apps you’re not using to keep it cool.

Don’t judge a book by its cover – but what about people? Why you can go ahead and judge a little...

The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” isn't always good advice. 

As a matter of fact, our good and bad judgment serves a purpose. While it’s not always spot on, our instinct can often point us in the right direction or give us pause when something’s not right.

The cover of a book may be deceiving but studies have found that the cover of most people will give you some sense of who they are. One study even found that women could successfully determine which men would make good fathers just by looking at them. It's not rocket science... generally speaking, nice people tend to look nice while nasty people tend to look nasty. 

Don’t spray the sunscreen! What the FDA is looking at...

Kids need sunscreen – but skip the spray variety for now. 

According to Consumer Reports, the FDA is looking into the potential risks of spray sunscreen, especially for children. It’s easy for children to inhale those tiny toxic particles when spraying near the face or in a breeze. Adults should opt for the lotion variety too.

It’s also harder to effectively apply enough spray sunscreen. If it’s the only product you have, you should spray it into your hand and then rub it on. Never spray sunscreen directly onto the face.

Is your child dependent on their cell phone? Why that’s cause for alarm...

Some people seem downright addicted to their cell phones – and that can be a big problem. 

Joel Edwards, executive director of Morningside Recovery, says for people with addiction issues, the smartphone is the tool that helps exacerbate that addiction or it’s a tool they use not to deal with that addiction. That phone is a perfect storm of sorts, fueling bad habits with the three As: accessibility, affordability and anonymity.

Addictive behavior with cell phones goes beyond substance abuse. It can lure users into the world of behavioral addictions such as gaming, gambling and pornography. Children and teens who may be dealing with depression or anxiety can become dependent on their cell phone as a way of coping, which can make the problem worse and interfere with their developing important social skills.

Which shoulder do you carry your purse on? Why it matters...

If you’re right handed – carry your purse in your left hand or on your left shoulder. 

You may need that dominant hand to fend off an attacker. Gabrielle Rubin, founder of the Female Awareness self-defense course has some other important tips that every woman should think about:

1. Stay off the phone. It may feel safer to call someone on your way home, but resist the urge. Talking on the phone leaves you distracted, without peripheral vision and with only one hand free in case of an attack. 

2. Keep your bag on your less dominant shoulder. You don’t need your strong arm to grip your purse—you need it to fight off your attacker. 

3. Don’t advertise your purchases. Fancy bags, jewelry and accessories can attract the wrong kind of attention. The same goes for shopping bags. 

4. Learn how to exude confidence. Treat the sidewalk like your own personal runway. Keep your head high and your posture straight, have a good pace in your walk—owning it on the street says to an attacker that you're not someone to best messed with.

5. Use your "lion's roar." Your voice is your best weapon. If your voice has some intensity, volume, and attitude, you can use it before an attacker lays a finger on you, and it gets others involved in your defense. 

Can’t wait for vacation? Neither can your burglars.

You’ll need to do more than lock the doors when you leave on vacation – you’ll need a burglar’s mindset. 

Before you leave, walk around your home and think like a burglar. Where would you hide? How could you get in without being noticed? Can you see any expensive items through the windows? Chances are, you’ll have a little work to do. 

Trim back any bushes, especially near windows and doors. Draw the necessary curtains to obstruct the view into your house. Burglars will think twice before entering a house they can’t see into. Motion censored lights are a big deterrent, as are lights and radios on timers. If you’ll be away for more than a week, be sure to suspend the mail and have someone mow the lawn.

If your doctor offers you a free sample - ask for this instead...

If your doctor is giving away drugs for free, you might want to decline that offer. 

While it may seem like that starter pack is saving you money, it could cost you more in the long run. Pharmaceutical companies spend big bucks to compete in the marketplace and that often includes pushing the free samples. In many cases, that drug may be more expensive than a generic alternative if you wind up taking it long term. 

Also, newly-approved drugs are less likely to have the established track record that the older competition may have. Be sure to discuss all of your options and current medications with your doctor before you commit to trying a newer drug.

Boston cream, jelly or glazed? What your favorite doughnut says about your personality...

Are you more glazed – or jelly filled? 

The Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation has taken a peak at your personality according to your favorite doughnut:

• Jelly-filled: You’re a leader and tend to be at the head of the pack. Jelly doughnuts appeal to confident people with strong personalities.

• Powdered: You’re a fun-loving free spirit. That sugary dusting suggests you’re eternally a kid-at-heart.

• Boston Cream: You’re sensitive and empathetic. You know when a friend is in need and are ready to show up with some serious comfort food.

• Glazed: You’re an optimist with plenty of energy. Just like your doughnut, you shine with a positive outlook.

• Plain: You’re an idealist and maybe even a little stubborn. You’ve got high moral standards and a no-frills approach to life.

• Sprinkles: You’re an intellectual. While you may like bling on your doughnut, you’re not really the flashy type.

• Crullers: You’re deep – and multidimensional. Cruller lovers tend to be confident, complex and maybe even hard to figure out.

If you’re taking a family vacation – pack a board game.

Put down the Candy Crush and Farm Heroes – and pick up a board game. 

Family vacation is a great time to find a game everyone can play and here are some great choices:

• For little ones, Candyland and Hi Ho Cheery-O are still fun and lets parents share a bit of their own childhood with their tots.

• For ages 7 and up, Bananagrams, Yahtzee Jr. and Monopoly are good choices. They’re not too challenging and the adults won’t be bored.

• For teens, Scrabble, Clue and Sorry are some classics, while 7 Wonders, Pandemic and Code 777 are newer fun for the whole family. Ticket to Ride is another good pick for your Journey. It’s easy to learn and fun for all ages.