Skip the Middle Aisles

In order to eat healthy – we need to shop healthy...

You’ve probably heard that shopping the perimeter of the grocery store is really all you need – that’s where the healthiest stuff is. Produce, bakery, butcher, dairy. The trick is to head straight for the produce section first. Once we’ve got a bunch of fruits and vegetables in there – we’ll shop to complement those. By choosing your other mainstays from the perimeters – like bread from the bakery instead of the mass produced isle – and meat from the butcher department – we’ll have more quality products in our carts - and less room for the processed junk in the middle isles.

Smoke Gets In Your Ears

There’s a new risk for hearing loss – and it’s not your iPod....

If you need yet another reason to quit smoking – we found one. Smokers are 70% more likely to suffer hearing loss! And secondhand smoke counts. Researchers say tobacco smoke causes a disruption of blood flow to the ear – depriving it of oxygen which results in a buildup of toxins. This type of hearing loss makes it difficult to hear conversations in a noisy situation – which is different than the types we’re already getting from age and loud noise.

Source: University of Miami and Florida International University

Flight Delays

The next time you get stuck at the airport – here's what to expect...

All it takes is one big snowstorm to throw everyone’s flights off. Genevieve Shaw Brown from Travelocity tells us what to expect:

• If you’re already at the airport – make yourself comfortable – there’s not much you can do – it doesn’t give you priority over ticketed passengers.

• Take any flight headed in the right direction. You might not be able to get to your destination – but if you’re brave and able to improvise – you WILL make progress.

• You’ll probably get a refund – so if you can reschedule – do it.

A lot of people think they’ll have more access to information if they’re at the airport – but you might have better luck on the phone. If you’re not already there – don’t go – the most you’ll get is a food voucher and a cot - if you’re lucky.

Warming Up Your Car

If you warm up your car before heading out – it doesn't take long...

Warming up your car could actually do some damage to the engine. Excessive idling decreases the life of your engine – and of course wastes some gas. It forces the engine to operate in an inefficient gasoline-rich mode which can reduce performance and mileage over time. Newer engines are designed to get oil circulating in about 10 seconds – and they actually warm up more efficiently in drive mode.

On really cold or icy days – there’s just no getting around the warm-up time. Giving the defrosters enough time to do their job is worth any gas you’re wasting in idle mode - safety first.

Source: Rob Maier, Maier’s Garage, Bridgeport, CT

Unwanted Gifts

If you don’t have the receipt – or can’t return that gift – there are some other options...

Returning gifts can be a hassle – especially if you don’t have the receipt. There are some other options out there for unwanted stuff:

• Selling gifts. Thanks to the internet – there are plenty of sites where you can list your items. Just be sure to check the fee’s involved – most of them charge the seller – not the buyer.

• Donating gifts. Search for local organizations that are accepting unwanted gifts – you’re bound to find a worthy cause out there.

• Swapping gifts. Hosting your own unwanted gift swap can be fun. There are also plenty of websites out there for gift swapping – but again – make sure you’re aware of any fees involved.

Source: Money Central, MSN

Power Rest

If you’d like to take a rest – without sleeping – you can do it in 1 minute...

No time to sleep? You can still take a rest – and it only takes about a minute. The key ingredient is music. You’ll need one fast song and one slow song. Sit comfortably – and listen to the FAST song for about 30 seconds. Then strike up the SLOW song and give that a listen. The next step is to replay those songs – it can be in your head – and walk to their rhythms – around the room, down the hall or across a parking lot. Fast song first – and then the slow song.

You can make this musical exercise as long as you’d like for maximum rest effect. It creates a mental and physical diversion – in harmony – and boosts mood and energy more effectively than a nap.

Source: Matthew Edlund, MD, Center for Circadian Medicine

Misery Loves Company

If you have to deal with a really crabby person – here's what to do...

If you know a real grouch – or someone who’s consistently negative – Dr. Judy Kuriansky, author or “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Healthy Relationship,” tells us what to do:

• The business as usual approach is your best bet. Ignore the crankiness and try to respond without emotion. It helps defuse the situation.

• Try picturing their true source of misery. Most of us have a little more tolerance towards someone once we determine why they’re suffering.

When all else fails – walk away – at least temporarily. It will help you both reflect on how you want to handle the situation without blowing your stack.

Did You See That?

We look at lots of stuff – but we don’t always see it...

Even when we’re looking – our brains don’t always register what’s really there. Dr. Daniel Simmons, author of “The Invisible Gorilla,” explains why these illusions can be dangerous. When we’re looking for something specific – we can miss the things we don’t expect. A driver watching for other cars might not see a pedestrian or motorcycle right in front of them. In one study – participants were asked to watch a video of a basketball game and keep track of how many times the ball was passed. Over half of them failed to notice the person in a gorilla suit walk right across the screen.

Computer Vision Syndrome

If your eyes feel dry or irritated – it could be CVS...

Carpal Tunnel and Blackberry Thumb have been taking a back seat to C.V.S – Computer Vision Syndrome. 70% of us have it – and we can blame the computer. It only takes about 2 hours of use a day to wind up with C.V.S. Dry, irritated eyes; headaches and fatigue are the primary symptoms.

The best defense against Computer Vision Syndrome is the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes – look away from the computer. Focus on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps your eyes refocus and rest a bit. And don’t forget to blink more often – it’s important to keep those eyes moisturized.

Source: Dr. Jennifer Ashton, CBS News

Beware the Food Court!

For that final trip to the mall – you might want to pack a lunch!

If you’re headed to the mall to complete your mission – beware of the food court. Sure, it’s convenient – but try not to let that aroma draw you in. First of all, eating on the run is never really good. You’ll be much more satisfied if you opt for a sit down restaurant and savor the meal. Taking snacks along will save you time and money – and will probably be healthier than anything you’ll find in the mall. Most of those mall snacks have as many or more calories than a full meal! Finally, some of that food court food sits around for hours – definitely avoid it later in the day or at night.

If you need a caffeine break – opt for plain tea or coffee – and make it a small. Those festive coffee drinks you’ll find in the mall are loaded with extras – extra flavoring, calories and price.

Source: Cynthia Sass, Registered Dietitian

Wi-Fi Warning

If you ever use public Wi-Fi – I’ve got a few steps to protect yourself and your computer...

It’s convenient to sign on to free Wi-Fi at a Starbucks, airport or hotel – but there are a few important things to check for to protect yourself – and your computer:

• Check for a privacy statement. If you can’t find one - you’re better off not using that network.

• Don’t type in credit card numbers or passwords. Thieves pray on public networks – and usually have ways to get past security.

• Once you’ve logged on – don’t forget to log off when you’re not using it. It’s a good idea to disable the wireless network while you’re not using the web on your computer.

Finally, always check the name before you agree to the terms on a public network. Most of them have a name that reflects the business. If it’s totally unfamiliar – it could be a trap set up by hackers.

Source: Microsoft.com

Old Age Perk

We lose a lot of good stuff as we age – but we gain some things too...

If you’re sick of hearing you’ll lose your memory, hearing and more when you get old – I’ve got some good news. Your emotions will be better than ever! At least how you handle them will. New research shows that seniors are much better at showing and expressing emotion. In the study group – young and middle aged people were more prone to detaching from emotions they weren’t comfortable with – but the older people had more authentic reactions and were much better at expressing how they felt.

Experts agree – the old folks are on to something good. They're better at getting their point across, controlling their impulses - and NOT being influenced by peers.

Source: Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., Temple University

Non-Stick Pan Savers

If you’d like to NOT ruin a non-stick pan – read the directions!

How many people bother to read the instructions on a Teflon or non-stick pan? They’ll last a LOT longer if you do. Most brands suggest you pre-season the pan – which means washing and drying it BEFORE you use it – and rubbing some oil on there. Reed Winter, director of research and development for Nordic Ware, says we should really rub a little oil or butter on that pan each time we use it.

We’re also supposed to skip the cooking spray. It builds up in areas where the heat doesn’t burn it off – especially the sides – that’s why they get sticky or pasty.

Home Alone

If you need to leave your dog home alone for the day – do this before you go...

If the whole family is headed out and leaving the dog behind – there are a few things you can do to make the separation a little easier for your best friend:

• Give them some good hard exercise before you go.

• Put away the food bowl and consider a food toy to keep them interested for longer. Don’t have a food toy? Consider scattering some dry food around to give them something to hunt for.

• Leave some noise on for your dog. A television with voices talking is a good choice – or there’s always the radio.

• Avoid making a big production out of your departure – the more subtle your exit – the less stressful it is for the dog.

Meet Dr. Jetson

If you miss the good old days when doctors made house calls, you might like this futuristic medical trend...

We might not have those flying cars yet – but how does a virtual visit with the doctor sound? It’s telemedicine - and sometimes it involves a live video chat with a doctor – or maybe a phone call. It’s not for serious scenarios – but the common ones like pink eye or a cold – or a diagnosis of symptoms. You could potentially get a prescription without taking time off work or getting some other bug in the waiting room. These virtual visits won’t be able to help you out with pain killers or Viagra – they’re really just for run-of-the-mill ailments that might require an antibiotic or antihistamine prescription.

Telemedicine visits range in price from about $25 to $40. There are directories available online – just search the phrase “telemedicine”.

Source: Mayo Clinic