Energy Drink Alert

If you’ve got kids – you NEED to warn them...

If you’ve got a kid over the age of 5 – chances are they’re curious about those energy drinks. You NEED to convince them they’re no good – and can cause major health problems for kids, teens and even young adults. They’ve got large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants – and the American Association of Poison Control Centers has seen a huge spike in caffeine overdose – especially in kids under 19.

Even more at risk are young people with ADHD, or on any kind of medication. Mixing these drinks with other drugs or alcohol can be deadly.

Source: Steven Lipshultz, pediatric cardiologist

Breaking Hearts

The days right after Valentine’s Day are the most popular – in the breakup department.

According to Facebook statistics – relationship status changes start going WAY up in the “single” department two days after Valentine’s Day. They continue to spike up through mid-March – and then drop back down to normal. The next big spike is on April Fool’s day – but those breakups are most likely either a really bad joke – or really poor timing.

Bomb Sniffing Plant

We might be seeing some AMAZING new plants around airports and malls soon...

Bomb sniffing dogs could have some competition soon - bomb sniffing PLANTS! Chances are we’ll see them blooming in airports, malls and embassies within the next few years. Researchers at Colorado State University have been successful at manipulating a breed of plant which actually changes color from green to white when it detects pollutants or even trace amounts of specific hazards in the air. Right now – it takes a few hours for the leaves to change colors – but scientists are confident they can speed that process up – maybe even to a few seconds!

Source: Professor June Medford, Lead Scientist

Bad Breath

You might have bad breath – and not even know it!

90 million Americans have bad breath – and a lot of them don’t even know it! That’s because our brains get acclimated to our own personal scent. There is a way to find out if you’re one of the breath offenders. Check your tongue. If it’s pink – you’re good. If it’s white – take action! Go ahead and pop a sugarless mint – but keep in mind that’s a temporary fix. You need to address the bacteria. It’s important to stay hydrated and avoid sugar – it actually helps the bacteria breed in your mouth.

Obviously you’ll want to avoid stinky foods – but there are some foods that actually help FIGHT bad breath. Green tea has antibacterial properties and crisp fruits and vegetables like celery or apples can really help.

Source: Dr. Harold Kats, California Breath Clinic

Akward Silence

It happens to the best of us – and can feel like an eternity – awkward silence.

Bernardo Carducci, of the Shyness Research Institute, says don’t panic – you can put that silence to good use. Think of it as an opportunity for transition – but read the silence AND the other person first:

• If you’d BOTH like to keep it going – go ahead and throw something out there. Don’t worry about making the transition smooth – just pick a topic.

• If you think THEY’RE ready to bail – give them an out and excuse yourself – your phone or the restroom can come in handy there.

• If YOU’RE ready to bail – seize the silence and wrap it up with a “Nice talking to you.”

Wetting the Appetite

Raw oysters and champagne – it doesn’t get much more romantic that that...

...those are considered the most powerful aphrodisiac items on the menu. But if you’re not big on raw oysters – there are plenty more exotic choices:


• Figs - This sexy fruit has long been considered an arousing stimulant – Just ask Adam and Eve or Cleopatra.

• Bananas – Beyond the obvious, bananas have minerals that boost libido.

• Avocados – They were once banned by Catholic Priests in Spain because they were so obscenely sexual.

• Asparagus - An English herbalist from the 17th century, Nicholas Culpepper, wrote that asparagus "stirs up lust in man and woman."

Cheap Chocolate

Before you grab a big heart full of cheap chocolate on your way home – consider your options:

• There’s the everyday American stuff which has got more milk and sugar.

• Then there’s the more exotic Swiss chocolate level - like Godiva – which has more premium ingredients and better texture.

• And then there are Belgian chocolates – in a class of their own.

The price goes up like crazy with each level – but if you’re looking to please a chocolate lover – Belgian is the way to go. Most Belgian chocolate is still hand made with original equipment using the actual cocoa beans. Other chocolate companies usually receive their chocolate in solid form which is reheated and re-cooled – and that takes a toll on the quality and flavor of chocolate.

Stupid Cupid

If you’re single or dateless on Valentine’s Day – embrace that!

Valentine’s Day is not JUST for couples – it’s for all of us! According to psychologist Laura S. Brown, single men and women should be enjoying it too. Here are her suggestions:

• Remember that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday. Think of all the money you’re saving on candy, flowers and gifts.

• If you are single and don’t want to be – Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to work on a productive strategy. Define exactly what kind of relationship you’d like - and commit to taking some steps to make that more likely.

• If you are single and loving it – Valentine’s Day is a nice time to reach out to another single friend who might be feeling lonely. If there’s a couple you really admire – it’s a great day to let them know it.

Make Me Blush

Blushing is uniquely human!

We’re the only animals that do it – blush. There are different types of blushing - blushing from embarrassment is part of our natural fight-or-flight response. When we get that surge of adrenaline - our breathing, heart rate and blood flow increase. It’s actually a very useful response. Not only do our cheeks get red – but our pupils dilate so we can take in as much visual information as possible. If you did need to fight or take flight in the midst of that akward moment – your senses are ready to rumble.

Crush blushing is a little different. If you REALLY like someone – and are physically attracted to them – your body temperature goes up – along with your sex drive and blood flow to the face.

Don't Walk It Off!

The next time you sprain your ankle – DON’T walk it off!

If you hobble around – or try to “walk off” a sprained ankle – you could be doing some long term damage. Dr. Andrew Rubman says most of us – and even some doctors – don’t take a sprain seriously enough. The R.I.C.E. method is the way to go – rest, ice, compression and elevation – and the rest part is critical. We’re supposed to avoid putting ANY weight on that ankle until it improves – even if it means using crutches for a couple of days.

Research shows about one half of ankle sprains don’t heal completely – and that could lead to a lifetime of recurrent sprains and lingering pain.

Table for Two

Did you know good food tastes better in a quiet restaurant?

Romantic lighting and a quiet atmosphere can really enhance a meal. It’s not just the ambiance – you’ll actually TASTE better. Noise and lighting draws our attention away from subtle taste sensations. In one study – people actually used more salt on their meal with those distractions - the same food tasted more bland than it did in the subdued setting.

Source: Ellen Poliakoff, Ph.D., Food Quality and Preference

To Your Health!

If you’re planning on sipping some wine this weekend – that’s good news for your life span!

Drink to your life span! Just keep it moderate. A new study has found some really good news for moderate drinkers – on average they live about 10 years longer! The study found that people who drink in moderation tend to have other healthy lifestyle habits too - and healthier, happier social lives than those who drink too much or not at all.

In case you’re wondering what moderate is – it’s about one 4 ounce serving a day for adult women – and two 4 ounce servings for men.

Troubleshooting the Obvious

If your computer won’t go on – check the plug!

Troubleshooting computer problems can be super frustrating – but there are some really easy fixes that people overlook:

• Computer won’t turn on? Check the plug – not just in the wall – but the end that goes into your computer. If that doesn’t work – test the outlet with another device.

• If your computer slows WAY down – check the other computers in your house. If someone else is downloading, watching streaming video or video chatting – your speed will come back when they’re done.

• If the CD/DVD tray won’t open – straighten a paper clip and slide it into the small hole on or near the tray – that should pop it out enough for you to gently pull it the rest of the way without doing any damage.

Source: Joshua Gulick, Smart Computing

Parting Your Hair

There’s a trick that makes us look younger – and it doesn’t cost a thing!

Just part your hair on the side. According to hairstylist Daria Wright, parting your hair in the middle just draws attention to the fine lines in the forehead. Don’t go too far to the side – or you’ll end up with that comb-over look – not good. The sweet spot for the perfect side part is about 2 inches above your temple.

Land Line 911

If you’re ever need help in an emergency – is it better to call on a land line or on a cell phone?

If you need to call 911 – use a land line if you have access to one. Land lines give emergency services all the information immediately on call center screens with the exact address. Pinpointing cell phone locations isn’t quite as precise – that information is generated via GPS or from the nearest cell tower. A weak cell phone signal can also cost you precious time. A slight percentage of cell callers experience trouble getting through to 911 on the first try – but nearly ALL land line calls go right through.

Source: Consumer Reports