Making Whoopee

Just in case you needed another good reason to make whoopee – here are 7 - pick one...

(click play to listen)

There are a lot of fringe benefits to a healthy sex life. Ian Curner, of Good In Bed, has 7 reasons for us to get in the mood:

• Look younger. In one study – the active types looked about 4 – 7 years younger.

• Get Happy. Sex boosts self-esteem, confidence and contentment.

• Weight loss. Intimacy increases the heart rate and burns about 5 calories per minute.

• Lower blood pressure – after the act. People who have been sexually active in the past two weeks have the lowest blood pressure readings.

• Heart health. Sexually active men are HALF as likely to suffer heart attack or stroke.

• Longer life. Both genders benefit – and researchers say women with happy sex lives live 8 years longer than those who are indifferent towards sex.

Gym Jam

If you have a new gym membership – odds are you’ll STOP going in about a month...

Health clubs and gyms are packed this time of year. This is when most of them are offering deals and promotions on memberships – cashing in on the number 1 resolution – getting fit. If you’re one of the regulars that DOESN’T appreciate the rookies – or waiting for the treadmill – hang in there. By mid-February attendance is back to normal for most gyms. 60% of those new memberships end up going unused.

 

Source: TIME Magazine

Gift Card Scraps

What should you do when there’s only a few cents left on a gift card?

If you only spent $49.50 on that $50 gift card – don’t throw it away. You can put those last few cents to really good use. There is a website - GiftCardGiver.com – that lets you donate any leftovers. They take all those unused pennies, nickels and dimes – and combine them into larger amounts to give to someone in need. They’ll tell you where to send your card – and there’s even a place to submit a request for someone you know in need.

Buy Something Big!

If you’d like a new TV – buy it this month....

There’s a specific month to get a good deal on just about everything – and January is TV month. Retailers stock up on popular models for the holidays – and now they’ve got to go. The big Consumer Electronics Show is in January – so retailers have to make room for the new models they just ordered.

If you’d like something to put that new TV in – buy a house. January is the slowest house hunting month so there’s less bidding competition out there. Don’t wait until February – by then, most homeowners are willing to wait until the market picks up in March.

Source: Mark Di Vincenzo, author of “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon”

Bad Habits

That bad habit you’re trying to kick might not be a habit at all...

Technically, smoking, drinking or binge eating really aren’t habits. A habit is considered to be repeated behavior that can become involuntary over time – and doesn’t usually have an emotional or physical payoff. Biting your nails is a habit – smoking is substance addiction – not a habit. The same goes for gambling or other excessive behavior. It’s important to get those out of the habit category and recognize that they’ll take more work and usually some professional help.

Once we identify and separate our levels of behavior – we’ve got a much better chance at changing it successfully. Kicking a bad habit can really help build will power for the bigger stuff – so consider starting small.

Wine Surplus

Sure, gas prices are going up – but guess what’s going down? Wine!

If you like wine – I’ve got good news – prices are dropping. When the economy took a hit – wine drinkers opted for the less expensive stuff – and now some of the pricier labels are coming down a bit in order to compete - and to avoid ending up with vats full of vinegar.

California wines, including Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay are the best buys at the moment – with price reductions of about 25%. Experts don’t expect these price breaks to last long – so now is a good time to re-stock your cellar.

Source: The Wine Curmudgeon

Wasted Minutes

A lot of us are paying WAY more than we should on our cell phone bills...

Do you text more and talk less? A lot of people do now – but they never bothered to change their cell phone plans. According to the Citizens Utility Board – millions of customers are paying for minutes that they never even use – totaling about six hours per month on average. If you talk for less than 300 minutes per month – consider a pre-paid or pay-as-you-go plan – it will cost a lot less and you won’t be charged for minutes you don’t use.

Time to Eat the Donuts!

If you need a good excuse to eat a doughnut – I’ve got one!

We’re supposed to start our day with a healthy breakfast – but some days could require a frosted doughnut! It’s the day that you have an important morning meeting, test or interview. According to Gary L. Wenk, author of “Your Brain on Food,” that heavy dose of sugar helps your brain cells communicate with each other, boosting focus and energy. Make it a chocolate doughnut – and you’ll increase production of the chemical that sharpens memory and concentration.

Swallow With Caution

Most of us take swallowing for granted – but it’s actually a complicated maneuver...

We swallow about 600 times a day – and usually don’t give it much thought. But when something goes down the wrong way – we sure take notice. Swallowing is actually pretty complex – and requires coordination between the mouth, tongue, neck and throat. Certain medications or conditions, and age, can weaken our swallowing skills. The trickiest types of food to swallow are mixed-consistencies. Cereal with milk requires two types of swallowing simultaneously. The same goes for fruit with skin.

If you’re the type that experiences an occasional hacking fit when beverages go down the wrong way – lower your chin to your chest a bit when swallowing. Thin liquids require rapid swallowing and can catch our muscles off guard.

Source: Joel Herskowitz, author of “Swallow Safely”

Cold Sore Remedy

Got a cold sore? Get some honey! It will heal a LOT faster!

The next time you’ve got a cold sore – rub honey on it. A recent study found that coating a cold sore with unpasteurized honey – four times a day – will heal it 43% FASTER than prescription cream. The raw honey stops inflammation and stalls the growth of the cold sore virus. Honey also has enzymes that help to heal the damaged skin tissue caused by the cold sore.

If the skin is broken – clean the area with peroxide first – and always apply the honey with a Q-tip – keep those fingers away.

I Do

The style of your engagement ring says something about you – and him.

Whether you chose your engagement ring, inherited it, or just have one in mind – the style says something about your personality – and your relationship.

• Oval: You’re over the top – and together you’re a big couple.

• Round: You’re traditional – and you probably married your best friend.

• Emerald cut: You’re sophisticated – and he married the girl of his dreams.

• Cushion cut: You’re the legendary type – and that suits him just fine.

• Princess setting: You like bling – he treats you like… a princess.

• Pear shaped: You’re classic with a twist – and you’re both independent.

• Marquise: You’re old-style Hollywood – he puts you on a pedestal.

• Heart Shaped: You’re a romantic – he’s all about whatever you want.

Source: Hallie Goodman, TheKnot.com

Gym Germs

We go to the gym to get healthy – but we could wind up with a skin infection – or worse!

Germs are everywhere – but gym germs have got muscle! Even the cleanest gyms can be a problem because it’s the ideal environment for a bunch of skin diseases. There are a few things you can do to arm yourself. Change BEFORE you leave the gym - wearing those gym clothes home can spread the cooties to your car seat and other spots. Make sure to wash your gym clothes after EVERY workout – and while you’re at it – wash the bag you keep them in.

Stock up on alcohol wipes too. Those towels some people carry around to wipe down the equipment don’t do much good. And try not to shave at the gym – people who do are 6 times more likely to have a problem.

Source: Steven Zinder, Journal of Athletic Training

Guard Your Card!

Are you taking risks with your credit card? Most of us do...

Most of us take a lot of risks with our credit cards – without even knowing it. CardRatings.com has 3 things we’re NOT supposed to do with it:

• Give your card to your kid. There’s actually a law that prohibits card holders from giving it to anyone under the age of 21.

• Lending your card to an employee or contractor – it’s a bad idea. If you must – choose a card that lets you put spending limits on it.

• Buying stuff online can be risky. Make sure any websites you use your card on are encrypted. Look for that little lock icon in the address bar – and look for an “s” at the end of “http”.

Check Your Dishwasher!

The next time you load your dishwasher – I’ve got something for you to check in there first...

Dishwashers can be finicky appliances – and a few simple maintenance steps can prevent some bigger problems. Here are some things to check in there:

• The tines – the dish rack feature that holds the plates up. Broken tines can stain your dishes – or break off and damage the pump. Hardware stores carry repair kits for that.

• The sprayers – they’re on the ceiling and floor of your dishwasher. Check the holes every once in a while to make sure there’s no food or detergent clogging them.

• The filter – it’s usually located in the floor of the machine – an we’re supposed to clean it after every load.

Source: Sharon Harvey-Rosenberg author of "Frugal Duchess”

Canine Cabin Fever

In bad weather, dogs get cabin fever too!

Sick of being inside this winter? So is your dog! A bored dog can wreak havoc on your house – especially if you have to leave. To wear them out when they’re stuck in - dog trainer Robin Bennett has some boredom busters for you and your dog:

• Hide and seek – most dogs really like it and it stimulates them mentally and physically. Unless they’re REALLY good with the stay command - it helps to have someone hold the dog while you hide.

• Teach the dog a new trick – or set up an agility course with obstacles and treats. A new challenge can really help wear them out.

• Tug of war is tried and true. A vigorous session can burn off a lot of canine energy – as long as your dog is capable of playing by your rules. If they get aggressive – pick a different game.