Eat your frozen fruits and vegetables. Which ones are as good or even better than fresh...

There are lots of healthy fruits and veggies ripe for the picking - in the frozen food aisle. 

Researchers at the University pitted fresh against frozen and found that some of our favorites are actually even better in frozen form. 

Fresh fruit and vegetables have a long way to travel, especially at this time of year, to make it to your table. Many of them lose their nutritional edge in the journey. Good frozen picks include strawberries, broccoli, green beans, corn, cauliflower and peas. While frozen blueberries and spinach are just fine, those two did have slightly lower vitamin and mineral content than their fresh counterparts.

It’s not too late to get your flu shot - and here’s another reason to get it...

Didn’t get the flu this year? 

You’re not in the clear yet. Flu season is in full swing and this year’s strain is no shrinking violet. According to the CDC, "Anyone aged 6 months and older who has not gotten a flu vaccine yet this season should get one now. This flu has landed more young people in the hospital than usual, similar to that of 2009. Typically, the very young and very old are at most risk but this year’s, a whopping 61% of hospitalizations have been people between the ages of 18 to 64.

Enjoy that cup of coffee - then have another.

Coffee lovers rejoice! 

A new study has found yet another reason we should be drinking it. It looked at the effects of coffee on long-term and short-term memory. Participants were split into groups according to their caffeine intake and then asked to look at some pictures. The following day, those with caffeine in their systems were better able to distinguish images and details they had seen before than the decaf group. 

If you’re a coffee drinker, have another cup. The study also found that two cups improved memory more than one. After that, there wasn’t much difference.

You can significantly speed up your smartphone charging time with these tips...

If you need to charge your smartphone in a hurry, turn it off. 

This can really give you more juice in less time because, even when charging, your phone is using battery if it’s on. Here are some more charging tips:

* If you don’t want to turn it off completely, put your phone in “Airplane Mode.” Your phone won’t keep searching for Wi-Fi and cellular signals.

* Lock your screen and resist looking at your phone while it’s charging. Every peek slows it down. 

* Use a Wall Charger: Phones charge fastest from a power outlet than through a USB port.

* Take the cover off: Phones heat up when they’re charging and covers lock that heat in. Extreme temperatures kill batteries.

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?

The bad news is, most people delivering good and bad news prefer to lead with the good news. 

A recent study looked at the benefits of good news/bad news order, and found that when given the choice, most news receivers would actually prefer the bad news first. However, those doling out the news tend to find it more difficult to open a meeting or a heart to heart on a sour note. The study tested out both delivery styles and found, in most cases, it’s more effective to lead with the bad.

This is especially true the bad news is about something nothing can be done about, let’s say the death of a pet or the loss of a job. It’s best to just get that out of the way and follow with some kind of good news or reassuring words. If the bad news is something that requires action or change, saving that for last will have a bigger impact.

If you’re a manager responsible for delivering news to your team, resist the bad news sandwich. Softening the bad news with good news on either side may make people feel better, but your intended message may get lost, leaving the team confused or less motivated. 

If you’d like to live longer, you might want to move.

The average life expectancy here in the U.S. is now 78.6. 

While that’s not bad, we’re way down on the global list, at number 26. The OECD, or Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, surveyed the 34 nations who are members and determined which countries are in the longevity lead. Here are the top 5:

5. Spain: The average there is 82.4, and their among the lowest in rates of cancer and heart disease.

4. Iceland: They’re also at 82.4 and men live longer there than anywhere else, to age 80. They don’t smoke or drink much and have the fewest cases of diabetes.

3. Japan. Overall life expectancy there is 82.7. Their 4% obesity rate is the lowest on the list and Japanese women live longer than the other countries.

2. Italy: Also at 82.7, they beat Japan because their elderly are considered in better health. 

1. Switzerland takes the gold in longevity at 82.8. They also have the lowest stroke and cancer rates of all 34 nations in the study.

If you wear a tie, be sure to choose the right one for the occasion.

Some men put a lot of thought into the tie they wear, while other’s get it all wrong. 

Style expert Jacqui Stafford is going to choose your tie, by occasion:

* For a routine work day: You can really add some personality here without getting silly. Jacqui likes subtle prints that are fun that can only be seen when you look closely.

* For an important presentation: Skip the everyday stripe and go for a bold print such as paisley or a vibrant color which shows confidence. Jacqui also prefers the wider European knot, like the Prince Albert.

* For a job interview: Avoid the joke or novelty tie at all costs. Choose a tie with a twist that will help you stand out. A subtle or unusual pattern, or interesting fabric, can speak volumes. It may even wind up being a talking point during the interview. 

* For a networking event: Go for bold colors or an unusual print to garner compliments and break the ice.

* For a formal event: Nothing looks better on a man for a formal event than a traditional black tie against a crisp white shirt. A black and white polka dot print is another classic option. 

* For an office holiday party: Santa and reindeer ties are a bit much. Try a rich color or jewel tone to look festive, with class.

* For a television or video appearance: Skip the striped tie. It has a strobing effect on TV. Choose something bright which stands out without distracting the viewer.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you might be doing it wrong. DIY don'ts...

Attention homeowners: If you’re tempted to do that yourself - you could do some real damage. 

David E. ­MacLellan, a homebuilder and author of “The Home Book,” has a list of the most common, costly mistakes homeowners make on do-it-yourself projects:

* Overloading upper kitchen cabinets. Filling those top cabinets with stacks of heavy dinnerwear can cause the cabinets to sag or even come crashing down. It’s important to store heavier items below or spread them out to lighten the load.

* Hanging a ceiling fan from a light mounting box. Ceiling fans typically need more support than can be provided by a ­mounting box designed for a light. Fans not only weigh more than the average light fixture, they also vibrate adding a lot of strain on the mounting. Add a new mounting box for the fan, they cost about $10.

* Attaching a trellis or fence. Some homeowners bolt or nail trellis structures to their home's siding. Bad idea. Siding isn’t always strong enough and that could come crashing down damaging the siding and anyone underneath it. The same goes for fences. Attaching them to your house creates a pathway for termites and mold.

* Overloading upper floors. Heavy items such as pool tables, waterbeds, large aquariums, pianos and ­weight-lifting equipment can overload floor systems—even when those floor systems are built to code. The same goes for the first floor if there is a basement underneath. Heavy items should be downstairs, near a wall. Keep your eye out for any movement or cracking in nearby floors or walls. 

* Walking on tile roofs. Roofing tiles are brittle and can crack under the weight of a single person and result in some real damage. Leave roof-walking to the professionals. 

Before you invest in one of those “As Seen on TV” exercise videos, let’s find out if they work...

If you’re determined to get fit and are tempted to invest in an “As Seen on TV” personal fitness coach, choose carefully. 

They're not cheap and it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. Thankfully, Consumer Reports put some of the DVDs to the fitness test  so I wouldn't have to.  Here are their findings:

* P90X: Price $120 plus $20 shipping and handling. If you can follow This 90-day plan faithfully, you will probably see results. But it’s only for people who are already very fit because the routines are intense and take about an hour a day. You’ll also need dumbbells, exercise bands, and a pull-up bar, which do not come with the basic system. The diet is also a bit complicated.

* Insanity: Price $125 plus $25 shipping and handling. This is a high-intensity interval routine using your own body weight. It’s a good fitness option but you must be very fit. You’ll be working “crazy” hard for about 45 minutes, six days a week. It also requires a mainly whole-foods diet. 

* Brazil Butt Lift: Price $60 plus $13 shipping and handling. You don’t need to be extremely fit to start. If you don’t mind doing lots of squats and lunges and you like the idea of dancing your way to fitness, this may be good for you. 

* Zumba Fitness Exhilarate: Price $60 plus $8.50 shipping and handling. It claims “Anybody can do it” and you’ll “Lose a dress or pant size in 10 days!” Yes to the first part, not so fast on the second. Zumba is okay for beginners and advanced exercisers, but it may take practice to master the moves. You’ll be on your own with the “healthy foods” diet.

If you want to improve your brain - forget memory. What to work on instead...

Most of us associate memory with the wellbeing of our brains...

...but according to Sandra Bond Chapman, author of “Make Your Brain Smarter,” memory has little to do with brain fitness. She says the best way to maintain or improve your brainpower is to give it a workout - tailored to your age:

* Age 45 and younger: Don’t get distracted. Your memory skills may be at an all-time high but your brain is not great at choosing which facts to remember. Checking gadgets and multitasking are actually robbing you of developing long-term brainpower. 

* Age 46 to 65: Stop multitasking. While you may start forgetting names in your mid 40s, you’re actually better at sorting through and weighing tasks than the younger bunch. To tap into that brainpower, narrow your focus to the task at hand and don’t get hung up on mild memory loss.

* Age 66 and older: Don’t slip into autopilot. A bored brain is a lame brain. Take on challenges greater than a crossword puzzle, such as learning new technology or honing a second language. The brain expands and develops new pathways when it's pushed to explore unfamiliar areas.

Did anything change for you in 2013? Don’t forget to tell the IRS.

If you moved, got married or had a baby in 2013, be sure to tell the IRS. 

Here are some important steps to take before you file your taxes. 

* Many new brides remember to change their name on their license, stationery or Facebook, but forget to notify Social Security. You won’t be able to e-file your tax return with your new name if it doesn’t match the Social Security Record. 

* If you moved, be sure you’ve notified anyone who will be sending you tax-related material. That includes employers, lenders, investments, clients and your state tax agency. Also, be sure to update your drivers license or voter registration to prove your new residence.

* If you had a new baby, congratulations. Be sure you applied for their Social Security number which can take months to be issued.

If 2013 was just another year, it’s still a good idea to get organized now. Grab a folder and designate it for 2014 tax-related mail as it trickles in. 

Brush your teeth and put your Smart PJs on. High tech bedtime...

If your child’s bedtime routine could use a little pizzaz - Smart PJs are here. 

Just curl up with your favorite bedtime stories - and a smartphone or tablet and let the PJs work their magic. Smart PJs are storytelling pajamas. They’re covered in polka dots - 47 of them. Each dot has a hidden QR code you scan with your device. Once you do, the corresponding “Once upon a time” will launch. 

Instead of mom or dad’s lame voice, your child will be treated to professional voice actors reading the classics such as Cinderella, The Gingerbread Man, Old Mother Hubbard and Humpty Dumpty. They can follow along on their gadget, no turning pages required. Smart PJs come in pink or blue and cost about $30. You can learn more about them at SmartPJs.com.

Are your feeling extra itchy lately? How to make it stop...

It’s the most itchy time of the year. 

Dry winter air, exposure to the elements and long, hot showers take a toll on your skin and can leave you chronically itchy. As great as that hot shower feels, it literally melts away the protective oils in your skin, leaving it thirsty for moisture. Your back takes the brunt of that hot water. It’s also the hardest spot to reach to remove dead skin or to thoroughly moisturize.

To reduce your winter itch, try to resist the hot shower. A warm bath is much kinder and soothing to your skin. It’s also a good idea to avoid using soap on areas that don’t really need it. Soap removes even more of the protective oils and adds to the itch. Body washes with petrolatum are a good option for soothing dry skin, helping to trap in water as you clean.

The next time you get a toothache - don’t ignore it! How it could turn deadly...

Death by toothache? It may sound extreme - but it’s possible. 

Having a toothache is not only miserable, it could be putting you at some serious risk. According to Doctor of Dental Surgery Samuel O. Dorn, even mild or moderate pain can quickly turn into a potentially dangerous condition, known as an abscess. Though the pain may be merely annoying in the beginning, within a day or so, it can turn into the intense, throbbing pain or sharp, shooting pain that is the telltale sign of an abscess.

Red flags of a dental abscess may include sensitivity to eating, hot and cold, persistent bad breath, a swollen face, jaw and/or neck glands and a fever. Dr. Dorn says once the pain kicks in, people who have dental abscesses will often describe it as the worst they've ever experienced. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, get help immediately. An abscess will not go away on its own, and it can cause death when the infection spreads to the brain or heart or when swelling cuts off the airway. The infection can spread as quickly as overnight, or take years to spread. Your dentist can diagnose an abscess in just a few minutes and treat it accordingly.

Move over Acai berry, there’s a new superberry in town.

Eat your Buffaloberries! 

It’s not a new kid’s cereal and there’s no buffalo in there. Buffaloberry is being touted as the new superfruit and packs a powerful nutritional punch according to the Journal of Food Science. These tiny, red berries are native to North and South Dakota. They’re slightly sour and a great source of lycopene - a valuable antioxidant. Buffaloberries are also a good source of other phenolic antioxidants, a compound that is believed to slow cellular aging. 

Buffaloberries grow on a shrub which is found on many Indian reservations. It’s a hardy shrub and can grow in super-dry environments with poor soil quality. Native Americans have been eating the berries for ages, and once they go mainstream, Buffaloberries could provide a significant economic boost for those areas. You can expect to be seeing more Buffaloberry products in a variety of forms. They are well suited for dried snacks and have a desirable texture and taste for wine makers.