Luke Warm Coffee

If you’d like to taste a really great cup of coffee – take your time. I’ll tell you when to drink it, in a minute…

It takes nine months of effort for that coffee to get from bean to cup – so slow down and enjoy it. According to coffee expert George Howell, the best tasting cup of coffee is actually around room temperature. When we take that first sip of hot coffee – our taste buds shut down. If you let it cool off a bit you’ll get much more flavor. Like wine, coffee flavor is actually enhanced and opens up after it’s had a chance cool and breath a bit.

Inside the Box

If you need to get those creative juices flowing, start by thinking INSIDE the box...

Need to generate some great ideas? Think INSIDE the box. A lot of us are told to think outside the box if we need to be creative – and that’s good – but we really need to start INSIDE the box. Thinking inside the box means taking a good look at ideas and principles that have worked for us in the past. When we start OUTSIDE the box – there’s a good chance we’ll miss some obvious ideas and strategies.

Once you’ve identified what’s INSIDE your box – take those elements outside - and try adapting them to the new challenge.

Family Legacy

Have you interviewed your parents or grandparents lately?

How did YOU get here? We all have an interesting story of how we came to be – but we don’t all document it. Chances are you’ve heard some good stories over the years from your parents, grandparents or that crazy uncle that deserve to be preserved. Getting facts and stories in writing or on tape can help keep those legacies alive for generations to come. There are some companies out there that can set it up for you – or you could do it yourself. Start by scheduling an interview with a parent or grandparent to record their legacy – or start your own by asking relatives for a family summary.

Ice Cube Heat

Does your refrigerator make ice? Turn that thing off!

While you’re out going about your day – or even sleeping – your poor ice maker is working hard – and wasting energy. The average refrigerator ice maker increases energy consumption 12 – 22% when it’s on – which is all the time. It’s not the freezing and dropping of cubes – it’s actually the motor, which has its own little heater inside to prevent it from freezing up. The solution – turn it off and get some ice trays.

Most ice makers have an on/off switch. Check with the manufacturer.

Customer Profiling

Your waiter or waitress sizes you up as soon as you sit down...

All tables are NOT created equal as far as food servers are concerned. Some waiters and waitresses told Reader’s Digest what they’re REALLY thinking when we walk in:

• If you’re a pack of females – you’ll be asking for separate checks.

• If you’re over 55 – you’re likely to complain.

• If you have a European accent – you’ll leave less of a tip.

• If you’re a business woman – you’ll leave a smaller tip than a business man.

Power Walk

If you walk for exercise – lose those walking weights…

Walking or power walking are great ways to exercise – but those weights some people strap on or carry aren’t so great. According to exercise expert Emily Vall, walking with weights can be counter-productive. They actually take a toll on your posture. They also tire your muscles out faster and increase the odds of straining ligaments and tendons.

Finding some hills to trek up and down will really power your walk. The best walking terrain for working muscles - is sand.

Mug Shot

Have you ever wondered why arrest photos are called mug shots? Go ahead and take a guess...

You may have guessed the term “mug shot” is derived from the slang word for face which is “mug” – and we have the British to thank for that. In 18th century England, it got popular to fashion beer mugs into ugly or grimacing faces. The pub slang for an unattractive person stuck and even works for attractive people - in an ugly situation.

Give Me a Break!

Most of us would probably do a better job if we took more breaks...

If you’ve been working on those bills or that presentation or spring cleaning for more than a half hour – take a break! Experts say after 20 to 30 minutes of sustained concentration – our minds will take a break whether we know it or not. The trick is to be in control of the break. By removing ourselves from the task – we’ll be more focused when we return. If we don’t – there’s a good chance we’ll make mistakes or get sidetracked from what we should be doing.

Your break can be as short as a minute or two. A good stretch or quick snack can help get you back on track.

Conflict

The next time you just can’t avoid that conflict...

Most of us try to AVOID conflict – but there are some good ways to deal with it when we absolutely have to:

• Stay calm – it might not be easy but it’s your best chance at calming the other person down.

• Stay quiet – let THEM do the talking. It could shorten the conflict considerably.

• Stay strong – the moment a conversation turns abusive – it should be over. Let them know they’re crossing the line and you can’t talk until they calm down.

Garage Sale!

If you’re planning a garage sale – make more money with these tricks...

Spring is the season for getting rid of stuff – and a garage sale is a great way to do it. You can make a lot more money if you try these tricks:

• Open early – be ready to start selling stuff an hour before the start time you have advertised. That’s when the early-birds, antique dealers and collectors are most likely to check you out.

• Ask your neighbors to join in. If you advertise your sale as “multi-family” you’ll get much more traffic.

• BIG, FAT ARROWS. That is the most effective thing you can put on your sign. Drivers rely on that more than anything else on there.

Broken Heart Help

If someone has broken your heart, here's some advice you'll probably HATE...

There’s no real cure for a broken heart – but cleaning your house might help a little. It might not sound like much fun - but here's why it helps:

• Getting reminders of the heartbreaker out of sight is an important first step.

• Some people naturally let messes build up if they’re feeling lonely or sad – and the clutter will only enhance those feelings.

• After cleaning, rearranging or redecorating your space, you’re more likely to feel social and invite others in.

Power Bath

When is the last time you took a real bath?
Showers are convenient - but there’s nothing like a soak in the tub. A 25 minute hot or warm bath can do wonders. It’s not just relaxing – it actually widens the blood vessels and opens our pores. It’s a really effective way of washing the toxins out. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of “From Fatigued to Fantastic,” says a nice hot bath once a week is enough to increase circulation, vitality and boost our overall energy levels.

Password Alert

If you have an Amazon account – change your password...

Most of us don’t change our passwords as often as we should – but if you’ve got an Amazon account – go ahead and reset that password today. Older Amazon passwords use an encryption system that’s a bit easier for hackers to crack. Amazon has since fixed the security flaw, so if your account is relatively new – relax. If you’ve had it for a few years – it’s easy to change – better safe than sorry.

Where's Your Charger?

Do you keep your phone charger near your bed? Bad idea!

Where do you keep your phone charger? If you answered next to your bed – that’s actually the worst spot for it. That goes for computer chargers too. Those devices emit radiation that can actually interfere with our natural sleep phases – and even make you more prone to headaches.

Exercise on Empty

There’s a trick to burning more fat when you work out....

Working out in the morning burns more fat than later in the day. That’s assuming you haven’t eaten anything yet. When we exercise – our bodies use the carbs from our last meal for fuel. By doing it on an empty stomach, we tap into more of the stored fat which can make a big difference with weight loss – as much as 3 pounds a month.