You may look good in those tight jeans – but they could be doing some damage...

If those jeans fit like a glove – they’re probably hurting you....

According to Dr. Karen Boyle, of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, tight jeans are to blame for a serious affliction. It’s a condition called meralgia, which manifests as tingling, numbness or pain in the upper legs. Tight jeans compress sensitive nerves in the hip, groin and thigh area – and if you wear them often, that damage could be permanent. Low-rise jeans can really strike a nerve if their tight. 

If you really like that skin-tight look, skip the heavy, constricting denim and opt for denim or other fabrics with lycra that give them their stretch.

All medications have some side effects - even the ones that seem harmless..

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Some of those TV commercials for medications are downright scary... 

But according to Robert Stephen Gold, author of “Are Your Meds Making You Sick?” some seemingly harmless over-the-counter remedies have some risks too:

• Antacid: Up to 10% of patients who frequently use calcium-based antacids experience side effects such as nausea, abdominal and lower back pain or impaired thinking. Follow the instructions on the label.

• Diuretics or water pills: High doses are estimated to cause hearing loss in up to 100,000 patients a year. Talk to your doctor if you notice any change in your hearing. The dose or medication can be changed.

• Serotonin for depression: Too much serotonin can result in muscle twitches, loss of coordination and heavy sweating. Make sure all of your medications are reviewed before starting any serotonin treatment, including herbal supplements.

• Mineral oil: It’s been around forever – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks. Don’t swallow it when you’re lying down or have been drinking alcohol. Mineral oil calms the cough reflex and can be aspirated into the lungs.

Location, location...

...Walkability?

Everyone knows location is THE single most important aspect when buying a home. But walkability is moving up on that list. According to Real Estate expert Brendon DeSimone, walkability is becoming a key factor in the search process for house-hunters. There are even websites and apps that help people figure out how walkable their future home will be. Zillow, a leading online real-estate database, now offers a Walk Score for most homes. 

With the high cost and inconvenience of commuting, many homeowners are now putting high value on the ability to walk to a store, school, work or public transportation. Experts say investing in a home or property with a good walkability factor now will make it even more desirable over the next few decades.

Some of the encouraging things we say to our kids could be doing more harm than good....

Sooner or later, most parents will say something to their child they probably shouldn’t... 

Amy McCready, author of “If I Have to Tell You One More Time” and psychotherapist Jenn Berman have a list of phrases to avoid: 

1. "I know you can try harder." Any comment that makes it seem as though you’re not satisfied with her efforts can not only be discouraging to your child, it can also do the opposite of motivating her to try harder.

2. "Are you sure you need that second cupcake?" Talk like that might foster a negative body image. If you’re worried about what your child eats, use actions, not words. Stock your kitchen with healthy foods instead of junk and emphasize family physical activity like after-dinner walks. 

3. "Why can’t you be more like your sister/brother?" Siblings and rivalry go hand in hand—and anything you say that sets up comparisons only fuels that natural flame.

4. "Don’t worry—the first day of school will be fine." When you tell your child not to worry, you’re dismissing her feelings. The same goes for “Don’t cry” and “Don’t be angry.” Instead, say, “I can see you’re worried. Can you tell me what you’re most concerned about, so we can talk about it?” 

5. "I wish you didn’t hang out with Jack; I don’t like that kid." Yeah, a lot of parents don’t like “that kid,” for whatever reason - but the moment you tell your child that ‘that kid’ is not your favorite, he becomes more appealing. 

If you wear heels – your need to do these exercises...

High heels can make your legs look great while they’re on...

...but they can also shrink your calves and thicken your Achilles tendon. L.A. Pilates instructor Thalia Thomas says those high heels can wind up weakening your lower back, knees and ankles too. These basic stretches can strengthen your legs and improve your high-heel prowess:

• Plié in First Position: If you ever took ballet class – you already know this one. Heels together, toes apart – bend down, knees outward – and hold for 5 counts. Back up and hold for 5 counts – then repeat 20 times.

• Calf and Achilles Stretch: Lunge forward while holding onto a wall or counter. Straighten the back leg and touch the heel to the floor. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 times. This will stretch the calf muscle, which gets very short and tight from wearing heels. 

• Tennis Ball Stretch: Curl your toes over the ball. Roll the tennis ball along the ball of your foot to stretch the foot. Hold the stretch for 5 seconds. Switch sides and repeat.

If your refrigerator smells – it’ll take more than a box of baking soda to fix that...

Refrigerators can get pretty smelling in the summer – especially if you’ve had to deal with a power outage...  

After you purge the offending food – you’ll need to attack the stink with the right tools. Here’s what to do:

• Unplug the fridge and get everything out.

• Remove shelves, crispers and ice trays. Wash them thoroughly with hot water and detergent. Then rinse with a sanitizing solution - 1 tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

• Wash the interior of the refrigerator and freezer, including the door and gasket, with hot water and baking soda. Rinse again with the sanitizing solution.

• Leave the door open for about 15 minutes to allow free air circulation.

• If you smell or suspect mildew, wipe the inside of the fridge or freezer with equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar provides acid, which destroys mildew.

Things are looking up for short people...

Short people might live longer! 

There’s a reason so many elderly people seem shorter than the rest of us – they probably started out that way. According to researcher Thomas T. Samaras, height, or lack-there-of, and longevity have been studied for years – and now there is more evidence that there’s a connection. The World Health Organization says Japanese women have the longest life span – and they also happen to be the shortest on average.

Does smearing honey on a burn or wound really help?

You may have heard that smearing honey on a burn or wound will kill bacteria and help them heal faster...

Save your honey. According to microbiologist Sarah E. Maddocks, it doesn’t help. The honey most of us have in your kitchen hasn’t been sterilized and won’t do anything to protect or heal. 

There is something behind the honey treatment theory though. Medical-grade honey can reduce the risk of infection and destroy bacteria. That healing honey is called manuka honey and can be found in pharmacies and in some health food stores.

Got Hormones?

While good old cow’s milk may be good for us – there are some varieties on the market we should be avoiding... 

According to Suzanne Havala Hobbs, author of “Living Dairy-Free for Dummies,” cow’s milk sold in the U.S. is often produced from cows injected with the synthetic hormone rBGH. Cow’s injected with that hormone produce more milk – but there could be a significant down-side. Hobbs says that hormone may be linked to cancer and antibiotic resistance in humans – and has already been banned in Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the European Union. 

Although it is not banned here, several companies, including General Mills - in their Yoplait yogurt products - as well as Wal-Mart's house brands don't use dairy products containing rBGH.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell which milk has the hormone here. Dr. Hobbs says our best bet is to buy organic milk or to look for phrases on the labeling such as “no artificial hormones.”

If you’re trying to lose weight – have some dessert for breakfast!

How about some cake and ice cream for breakfast? 

There’s some new research out there that says dessert for breakfast can actually help us lose weight. The study consisted of two groups of overweight and obese men and women. One group had some bacon, eggs and coffee for breakfast – while the other group enjoyed a high-protein, high-carb breakfast with dessert! That group not only lost an average of 15 MORE pounds than the small breakfast group – they also kept the weight off for longer.

The “diet” desserts for breakfast included chocolate cookies, cake, ice cream, mousse or doughnuts. The author of the study explains, when we eat high-carb sweets before 9 am, hunger and cravings are more effectively curbed for the rest of the day.  

How old are the happiest adults?

A lot of us have not entered the happiest stretch of life yet...  

According to a new Pew Research Center study – our 60s are something to really look forward to. Their statistics found that we are the happiest from ages 60 to 69. That’s because older adults are better able to avoid stressful situations and experience fewer negative emotions. People in their 60s also tend to spend less time dwelling on the negative aspects of everyday situations.

The least happy age group in the poll was a bit of a surprise. People in their 20s were really bummed out –and reported high levels of stress, worries and sadness.

If you consider weeding the garden a chore – you’re doing it wrong...

Weeding the garden can be daunting and back-breaking – if you’re doing it wrong... 

According to wellness and fitness expert Rachel Hazuga, pulling up weeds can be a productive, satisfying workout and very effective feel-good therapy. Most of us need to change our approach a bit to get the most out of weeding: 

• Before weeding, so some stretching exercises to warm up.

• As you weed, change your body position frequently and alternate between sitting and kneeling. Also, be sure to pull weeds with BOTH hands – not just your dominant one.

• Take a break every 20 minutes. Walk, stretch, breath and enjoy the area you just finished.

It’s easy to forget that weeding is a workout – especially if it’s hot outside. Be sure to stay well-hydrated – and know when to call it a day. When you start to feel fatigued your risk of post-weeding aches and pains increases.

If you’re working on a nice tan this summer – eat some cherries...

If you’re spending a lot of time in the summer sun – your skin could be taking a beating...  

Here are some foods that help protect and even repair some of the damage: 

• Tart cherries are packed with melatonin which protects against UV rays - and antioxidants that help stimulate new skin-cell growth.

• Crimini mushrooms are packed with skin protecting selenium.

• Green tea fights inflammation in the skin and helps prevent wrinkles.

• Pomegranate seeds are also high in antioxidants and reduce UVB damage.

• Salmon and other fatty fish provide your damaged skin with some healing omega 3 fatty acids.

How well stocked is your medicine cabinet?

A well organized medicine cabinet should have several non-medicine items in there... 

Here are the 10 essential items you need:

• Adhesive bandages 

• Nail clippers

• Antiseptics: hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol

• Muscle cream like Icy Hot or Bengay

• Tweezers

• Sterile gauze and medical tape

• Fungal Medicine 

• Dental floss

• Calibrated measuring spoon

• Thermometer

As far as your medications are concerned – you might want to keep those OUT of your medicine cabinet if it’s in the bathroom. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can deteriorate and lose potency when stored in humid spots. They’d be better off in a cool, dark and dry spot in another room.

If you’re still searching for Mr. or Miss right – get a dog....

Are you still searching for your soul mate? 

The right kind of dog could make you more desirable to the opposite sex. Kloof, a mobile app for pet owners, surveyed men and women to determine which breeds they’d be attracted to. 

Men found women with beagles, poodles and Chihuahuas to be the most attractive. Women couldn’t resist men with French bulldogs, Siberian Huskies and German shepherds.

Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers seem to have the most mass appeal. Both men and women placed them in their top 5.