Decking the Halls - With Mold?

If you’re decking the halls – skip the mold!

Ahhh – there’s nothing like taking in the aroma of a freshly cut Christmas tree – but after a few weeks the mold count starts to skyrocket! Researchers at the American College of Allergy put evergreens to the test – and found that mold counts hovered around the normal range for about two weeks. After day 14 – up they went – as much as 8 times higher!

Allergist Kathleen May explains, mold is Mother Nature’s cleanup crew – it starts to grow rapidly on the needles, branches and trunk as soon as a cut tree starts to decay. If you start to experience a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or fatigue when you’re near that tree – it’s time to drag it out of there.

Holiday Excess

If you overindulged this weekend – don’t beat yourself up. Help is on the way...

It’s easy to overdo it at this time of year – and when you do, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damages...





After the fact:

• Avoid alcohol and minimize sugar and salt.

• Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Take a few brisk 30 minute walks.

• Drink 4 cups of green tea a day.

There are also a few tricks to AVOID overdoing it:

• Don’t go to parties hungry.

• Have a glass of water or seltzer BEFORE you leave home.

• Slow down. Eat and drink slowly and keep tabs on what you’re consuming. Fill your glass or plate half way – more trips to the buffet or the bar make overindulging less convenient.

Skip the Warranty

If you’re buying a big ticket item – chances are you can skip the warranty...

Stuff breaks – but not as often as we think. Skip the warranty on a new microwave – it usually costs as much as buying a new one. That cell phone warranty is usually a waste too. Consider the monthly protection fee, and the deductible you’ll have to pay to get a new one – it usually adds up to about the amount of a replacement phone.

Most TVs come with a one year warranty. When you buy that extended warranty, they actually overlap – you’re doubling up on protection for that first year. For high end items or appliances with parts that are hard to find – extended warranties are a good idea.

Good Patient

Are you a good patient for your doctor? There are some good reasons NOT to be...

Good patients obey their doctors order’s – but doctors make mistakes too. A lot of people look at doctors as authority figures – and they may be the expert - but it’s important that we pay attention to our gut instincts too. If a diagnosis or treatment doesn’t sound right – keep asking questions until you understand what’s going on. Get a second opinion if you’re still not sure.

It’s crucial to pay special attention to hospital procedures too – even if they’re routine. Don’t assume everyone knows what they’re doing – it’s perfectly fine to ask them to check and double check anything concerning your care.

Dangerous Decaf

If you opt for decaf coffee because it’s better for you – you might want to rethink that...

People who drink decaf coffee because it’s better for them could be mistaken. A scientific study found the chemicals used to decaffeinate coffee could actually be bad for joints and leave us prone to rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers say we should really check the label – and look for phrases like “Swiss water process,” “sparkling water process” or “chemical free.” That means the caffeine was taken out using water instead of harsher chemical solvents.

Source: University of Alabama

The Bragging Christmas Letter

As you open those Christmas cards – beware of the bragging holiday update!

Most of us have gotten them at one point or another – or maybe even sent one. The bragging Christmas letter. You know the one – with the perfect smiling family picture from some exotic location – filling you in on all the wonderful achievements you’ve missed. Are they TRYING make you feel envious, or just plain bad?  Psychologist David Elkind says people who write those boasting recaps are usually writing them for themselves more than for the recipient – for some of them it boils down to a competition they get caught up in every year - and boasting about the good stuff makes them feel better about the bad stuff they left out.

Most people enjoy seeing a picture of how the kids have grown – a new baby or a new house – but actually get a negative vibe from greetings that come across as self-indulgent or competitive – and all about them. The favorites are scenic cards with a brief personal “thinking of you” note.

Attention Older Drivers!

If you or someone you know is driving over the age of 65 – there are some NEW rules of the road...

The older we get – the less safe we are on the road. Most drivers over 65 have a decrease in vision, perception and reaction – and an increase in fragility. Even if these drivers don’t like to admit it – there are some new rules of the road for them:

• Consider invoking the UPS rule – take rights whenever possible and avoid routes that include a lot of left hand turns.

• Stay right on the highway too – you won’t need to change lanes to exit as much and you’re less likely to be tailgated.

• Put the seat back as far as you comfortably can. It reduces the risk of airbag injury.

• Tilt your wheel toward your chest instead of your head. That lessens airbag impact too.

It might be time to take a refresher driving class if you get honked at frequently or have been in an accident recently. Some insurance companies offer a discount for drivers who pass a refresher course.

Source: Richard A. Marottoli, author of “Enhancement of Driver Performance Among Older Drivers”

Olive Oil

The next time you buy olive oil – get the SMALLER bottle!

Olive oil is really good for us – but the bottle you choose can actually decrease it’s heart-healthy power. It’s best to go with the smaller bottles – that limits the oxygen that gets in there each time you pour it. Olive oil in the dark green bottles is better too. Clear glass lets too much UV light in which also deteriorates those healthy compounds.

It’s best to store your olive oil in a cabinet at room temperature – and check the dates on the bottle. Olive oil starts losing its punch six months after the olives are picked, pressed and packaged.

Source: Connie Diekman, R.D.

Shorten Your Sick Time

If you’re feeling under the weather – take a really hot bath.

The next time you get clobbered with a bug – clobber it back with a hot, steamy bath! Jordan S. Josephson, of the New York Nasal and Sinus Center, explains why it works. Viruses are heat-sensitive – and raising our core temperature helps to kill them off. The steam will also help to open up and drain your sinuses – reducing the risk of a secondary sinus infection. If you soak in a hot, steamy bath for 20 minutes each day that you’re sick – you’ll shorten the overall duration of whatever virus is bugging you.

Warming Layers

If you dress in layers to stay warm – don’t put cotton on first!

Dressing in layers is the best approach to staying warm – and that first layer is the most important one. Cotton is the most common fabric for underwear – but it’s the worst choice for your first layer because it absorbs moisture and traps it against your body. That first layer should be a close-fitting natural fiber – like silk, cashmere or thin wool. Those fabrics actually wick any moisture away from the body and to the outer layers where it can evaporate. Silk and cashmere are definitely pricier than cotton – but could make for a great gift idea for someone you’d like to keep warm.

Source: Randy Gerke, Enviro-Tech International

Mile High Germs

We already know public bathrooms are crawling with germs – but which ones are the germiest?

Airplane bathrooms are the germiest of all public bathrooms. That’s because there’s usually only one toilet for every 50 people – AND it’s harder to wash your hands in there than in the average bathroom. But wait – it gets even worse! That volcanic flush SPEWS particles into the air – coating the floor and walls of that tiny space.

If you’ve just got to go up there – use the paper toilet covers. Then – armed with a paper towel – close the lid before you flush. Wash your hands thoroughly and use another paper towel on the doorknob to get out.

Source: Dr. Germ, a.k.a. Charles Gerba PhD

Office Party Don'ts

If you’ve got an office party to attend – I’ll tell you what NOT to do while you’re there...

If you can’t wait to let it all hang out at that holiday office party – consider this first. Colleagues and higher ups may not be as forgiving as friends when it comes to social faux pas. Being the life of the party COULD come back to haunt you professionally – even if YOU’RE the boss. Here are a few of the most common mistakes:

• Complaining about the party or your company – even if the food, music or venue is bad - or your company is cheap – avoid being tagged as the unappreciative employee. Save the critique until you home.

• Comments about how much more likeable someone is at the party than at work – especially if it’s the boss. It may seem funny at the time – but it probably won’t once you’re back in the office. A compliment or a thank you will go a lot farther.

And then there’s booze. According to Marie McIntyre, author of “Secrets to Winning at Office Politics,” most holiday party nightmares have a single cause – too much alcohol. Regardless of your position, it’s an invitation to damage your reputation and maybe even your career. Limit yourself to two drinks at the party – any you’ll thank me in the morning.

Trusting Your Mechanic

When choosing an auto mechanic – how do you know if they can be trusted?

The title Auto Mechanic doesn’t usually conjure up a sense of trust – but there are some really good ones out there. David Sturtz, CEO of RepairPal.com, tells us what to look for when choosing one:

• Find a repair shop that has been around for at least five years. If they’ve been around for 20 years – that’s a REALLY good indicator.

• Beware of shops located near highway exits – some of them survive by taking advantage of out of town drivers.

• Pick a shop that makes you wait. Busy repair shops don’t have time to do expensive jobs you don’t really need.

• Find a good shop and stick with them. Becoming a regular increases your odds that they will treat you fairly and try to fit you in when they’re busy.

Digital Snooping

Remember that nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz? Well imagine what she could dig up these days...

The days of peering through the curtains or listening in on phone calls to get the scoop are long gone. Today’s snooping is much easier – and calls for some new boundaries. A recent survey found 14% of women spy on their husband’s emails, texts and surfing habits – but 73% of the snoopers admitted to either finding out things they wish they hadn’t, or jumping to the wrong conclusion!

There is a better approach that will do less damage to your relationship and your conscience – ask face to face. If you stumble upon a red flag resist the urge to play detective. We’re more likely to gauge when someone’s telling the truth if we ask them what’s going on point blank.

Source: Brenna Ehrlich and Andrea Bartz, authors of “Stuff Hipsters Hate”

Dental Damage

White wine can be WORSE for your teeth than red – and brushing can hurt them too!

Everyone knows red wine can stain your teeth – but white wine is even worse! That’s because it’s highly acidic, which eats away at enamel, causing rough spots and grooves. Once the tooth surface is damaged - it’s much more vulnerable to staining from other stuff we eat and drink.

Brushing your teeth with horizontal strokes is also bad – it wears away the enamel. Gentle, circular strokes are the way to go according to the Academy of General Dentistry.