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Saturday, June 16, 2012

If you like popcorn – I’ve got some REALLY good news...


Guess what? We can now put popcorn back in the “health-food” column... 

That’s the word from a new study that says this high-fiber, low-fat favorite is full of antioxidants. Don’t tell the kids – but 1 serving of popcorn has about double the amount of good-for-us polyphenols as 2 servings of most fruits and vegetables. And those little annoying hulls of the popcorn that end up stuck in your teeth are actually the best part. About 90% of the polyphenols were in there. 

Unfortunately, if you want your popcorn to be health-food – you’ll need to skip cooking it in oil and drenching it in butter and salt. Air popped is the best – and flavoring it with other spices can actually boost the flavor AND nutrition.

Driving while drowsy can be deadly! How to stay awake at the wheel...


Everyone knows drowsy driving is dangerous...

...but according to an AAA survey, one-third of drivers admit they’re doing it. Here are a few of their strategies to stay awake at the wheel – and to avoid OTHER drowsy drivers:

• Avoid driving at times when drowsiness is most common – between midnight and 6:00 am.

• On long trips, stop the car every two hours and walk around for 5 to 10 minutes.

• Appoint your passenger as the drowsy police. Some of us don’t even realize we’re falling into that trance.

• Keep snacks handy that are NOT sugary or fatty. Crunchy vegetables take some chewing effort and can help keep you alert.

If you yawn repeatedly, bob your head or drift off for a second – don’t tempt fate. You’re lucky you didn’t crash already! Pull over in a safe spot immediately.

There’s something at the amusement park more dangerous than the ride...


The speeding rollercoaster and the vertical fall ride at the amusement park are the least of your worries...  

More people actually get hurt on the steps UP to the ride. According to Gary Slade from Amusement Today, guests running down the stairs, ramps and walkways results in a lot of cuts, bruises, scrapes and bloody knees. 

Another hazard – line jumpers! It’s not unusual for altercations and fights to break out over rude or bullish behavior in line. And look out below! Flying cell phones and change from people on the rides have been known to cause some minor injuries.

How many times do kids ask “Are we there yet?” on the average vacation ride?


Are we there yet? 

If your kids don’t ask this more than once on vacation, they’re not normal. A survey by Cambria Suits says the question is asked an average of 9 times, per kid, on a seven-day family vacation. 

If you’ll be traveling with children under the age of 6 – pack a variety of answers for the ride. They’re more likely to ask “Are we there yet?” about 13 times.

If you feel lightheaded when you stand up – it might NOT be nothing...



If you feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up – that could be your body trying to warn you...

According to Dr. Christine DeLong Jones, that dizzy spell usually means your blood pressure suddenly dropped when you stood up. That could be caused by dehydration, or certain medications – but don’t ignore it if it happens often. Dizzy spells when standing should be discussed with your doctor so that he or she could run some tests for orthostatic hypotension, or OH. That condition, if left untreated, could put you at an increased risk for some serious stuff including heart disease and even heart failure.

Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream? Nope...


If you’re opting for frozen yogurt because it’s better for you than ice cream – you’re probably getting duped...  

It’s usually not. Nutrition expert Samantha Heller says most popular frozen yogurt shops offer cups in one size – large. And then they charge by the ounce. Most of us are tempted to pile on the “healthy” toppings which we really need to think of as candy. Even the fruit and nuts are often loaded with sugar and calories.

And don’t be fooled into thinking those probiotics in the frozen yogurt are doing you any favors. The freezing process drastically cuts the amount that actually winds up in the finished product.

Dogs get Lyme disease too. Here are some symptoms...


If you think your dog may have hurt his paw or leg – but you don’t see any wound – it could be Lyme disease... 

That’s usually the first thing you’ll notice about a dog who’s been infected. Typically, they will limp or favor a leg and tend to be less active and more irritable due to pain from inflammation of the joints. 

Lack of appetite is another symptom of Lyme disease in dogs and could be accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea. Young dogs are more susceptible to Lyme disease than older dogs – but all dogs who venture outdoors in the United States and much of Europe are at risk.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

How about a nice relaxing massage – for your nose?


There’s nothing like a nice relaxing shoulder massage to relieve some pain and tension...  

There are some other body parts worth rubbing that most of us take for granted. Try massaging…

• Your nose: Rubbing your nose stimulates your immune system cells and can relieve nasal congestion. Start at the base of each nostril and work your way up and around the outside of your nostrils to the tip of your nose. Repeat for 10 minutes.

• Your hand: Rubbing your hand in the right spot can trigger your production of oxytocin and suppress stress hormones. Pinch and rub the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger for 5 minutes before entering stressful situation.

• Your stomach: Rubbing and kneading your belly can be more effective than over-the-counter medication for an upset stomach. Rub in a circular motion with the palm of your hand. Start at the upper right side of your abdomen and work your way over to the lower left side, and repeat.

Tired of Facebook and Twitter? You might like one of these custom social networks...


There’s a social network out there for just about everyone...  

If Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are a little too mainstream for you, Mashable’s Matt Petronzio has a few niche networks where you might feel right at home:

• If you’re a dog or cat lover – try Dogster or Catster. You can create a profile for your pet, add photos, discuss the latest trends and watch the fur fly.

• If you’ve got a bucket list – check out My Last Wish. It connects people around the world based on what they want to do before they die.

• If you’d like to “friend” the environment – join Wiser. It’s a global village for people who believe in a more just and sustainable world.

• Love beer? Untappd is waiting for you. It’s a mobile social network where friends share their favorite beers and where they’re drinking them.

• If you prefer animated friends – log into ComicSpace. Comic creators and fans come together to share blogs and post original webcomics.

• Your mother might like CafeMom. She'll find cutting-edge articles and other moms who love to talk, give each other advice, watch videos and play games.

• If you’d rather be writing – Book-in-a-Week will help you reach writing goals you’ve set for yourself.

More dads have taken over a household chore lately. Here's what they're doing...


Who does the grocery shopping in your house? 

A new survey says 52% of fathers take credit for that now. That is WAY up over the past few decades. Back in 1995, only 10% of men identified themselves as the primary grocery shopper.

The survey also found that Dad has a different shopping style than Mom. They are less likely to make a list, collect coupons or read circulars – but more likely to plan the meals for the week ahead.

If you’re cooking out this weekend – mix it up a little. Some unusual grillable foods...



While you’re throwing burgers and dogs on the grill – throw on some watermelon too... 

Reader’s Digest has a list of foods that are delicious when grilled:

• Watermelon: Cover 1 inch slices with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill them for about 5 minutes per side until they start to dry out. They’re super savory.

• Romaine lettuce: Grilling the leaves gives them a smoky flavor. Slice the head of lettuce in half, brush with olive oil, add spices, and grill them cut-side down for a minute or two. Finish them off with parmesan and red wine vinegar.

• Avocados: Cut them in half and grill them face-down with the skin on. Scoop out the flesh for delicious guacamole or burger topping.

• Cake: Cut 1 inch slices of angel food or pound cake, butter both sides, then grill until golden.

Who is more likely to nail that interview – a woman or a man?


If you’re interviewing against the opposite gender – let’s hope you’re a woman...  

A recent study found that women are better at handling a stressful interview and out-perform their male competition. The authors of the study explain that it’s the way the different genders handle the pre-interview stress that makes the difference.

Women actually get a bit more stressed out before the interview. They also tend to seek support and advice from friends and colleagues, set up mock interviews and prepare more thoroughly to handle the stress. Men deal with the pre-interview stress differently. They’re more prone to ignore it, watch TV or do things to relieve the stress that will impair performance later. 

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

If you’ll be grilling this weekend – put a pot of coffee on...


Here’s yet ANOTHER thing that coffee is good for: 

The grill! Chris Barns, of Stylist Home, says the acid in coffee can work wonders on burned-on grease or just mildly dirty grill grates. He says to brew a full pot of coffee, pour it into a basin and soak your grill grates in there. Throw your barbecue utensils and oven burners in there while you’re at it. Let those sit for about an hour, give them all a quick scrub and then rinse with warm water. You’ll have shiny, clean grill grates without all the elbow grease or wasting grill fuel trying to burn it off.

If your pet gets lost – you’ll need to take action right away...


When your pet gets lost – don’t panic...

You’ll need to get organized fast to increase the odds of finding them. Here is the lost pet protocol from the folks at Purina:

• Organize a search party. You’ll only need a few people to check a three-block radius. Most pets won’t stray too far from home.

• Designate a caller. It’s natural to walk around calling your pet's name – but it’s not a good idea. It’s confusing for a pet to follow your moving voice. Try not to call their name until you see them – or have one stationary person do the calling.

• Alert the media. Social media can work wonders, especially if you have contacts in the neighborhood. 

• Post LOTS of flyers. People really do look at them. Don’t forget to give one to your mailman and any neighborhood watch people. Laminate flyers you’ll be posting outside and offer a reward if you can.

If you don’t find your pet right away – don’t give up. Keep checking with vets and shelters. There have been some incredible journeys with happy endings.

If you invest in collectibles – don’t expect a big return...


If you’re hanging onto collectible stuff because you like it, fine...  

But here are a few popular items that probably won’t be worth what you paid:



• Hummel figurines: Younger generations have little interest in buying them. Most used Hummels now sell for under $75, and prices will continue to fall as more Hummels reach the market. If your figurine is taller than 12 inches or made before 1949 – you might have something there.

• Precious Moments are worth precious little now. 

• Anything made by the Franklin Mint have little resale value. You’ll probably get the meltdown value any limited edition coins or medals.

• Longaberger baskets were all the rage and sold for as much as $100 in the 90s. Now they’re worth about $20, tops.

• Barbie dolls. Mattel watered the collectible market down by issuing too many. If she’s been in the box since 1959 through the 60s – she’s a keeper.

• Kinkade paintings and prints have very limited resale value. There are piles of them on eBay and most receive no bids.