You’re a lot smarter than you think – better looking and thinner too!

If you’re like the average American – you really underestimate yourself...

Some recent studies found most people rated themselves lower than others perceived them in several departments:

• Appearances: Self ratings were 20% too low on average. We tend to see our features and flaws – while others see our charm and personality.

• Smarts: Most women underestimate their own IQ by about 5 points – and guess too high at others. Men, on the other hand, underestimate there ego – they typically guess their IQs are higher than they actually are.

• Weight: When participants were shown 2 photos of themselves – one slightly skewed to look heavier, 70% of women incorrectly chose the distorted one as the original.

Does your cat have an iPad? All the cool cats do.

There are iPad apps for just about everything – even your cat...

If your cat spends a lot of time indoors, he or she could be chronically bored – and we can’t have that. Just have your cat log into GamesForCats.com or iTunes. There, your kitty can browse through some games purrfect for cats, like Cat Fishing, Piñata Fiesta, Tasty Treasures Hunt, Party Mix-up and Litter Bug. The feline-friendly fun is free from Friskies and will work with both iPad and Android tablets.

There’s also a free app for the iPhone called Friskies Call-a-Cat. There you can play some of your cat’s favorite sounds like birds chirping, a dinner bell, or the sound of shaking a dry cat food bag or opening a can.

There’s a new miracle drug out there – and you’re probably already taking it...

Did you drink your miracle drug today?

If you had a cup, or six, of coffee – then you did. Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, liver specialist and Harvard Medical School professor, says coffee truly is a lifesaving miracle drug. Just check out some of these proven coffee health perks:

• More than three cups a day lowers women’s risk of developing the most common skin cancer by 20 percent.

• More than six cups a day cuts men’s risk of dying from prostate cancer by 60 percent.

• Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day lowers women’s risk of stroke by up to 25 percent.

• Consuming at least two cups daily reduces women’s chances of becoming depressed by up to 20 percent.

So how should you take your coffee? Dr. Chopra recommends black, or with a little skim milk in there. If you can tolerate the caffeine, stick with that – but decaf is better than none at all. How much should you be drinking? Dr. Chopra drinks at least four cups a day – but he says most people should limit themselves to two.

Don’t ever go to sleep angry. No, really...

Don’t go to sleep angry” may sound cliché – but now there’s scientific evidence to back it up...

Neuroscientists at UMass Amherst released a study that says negative emotional responses get protected if you go to sleep with them. That means they don’t get processed and have some time to dig in and take hold. This advice doesn’t just apply to arguments – it includes traumatic or disturbing news and images we might expose ourselves too via the news or a movie.

When we are upset or disturbed, we may actually fall asleep faster. Sleep can act like a built-in defense mechanism. If you’ve had an argument or witnessed something unpleasant – try to resolve those feelings before going to bed and you should have less lingering effects in the morning.

Would you like to know what smart people eat? Fat!

There’s a good reason most of us are drawn to fatty foods – some of them are really good for our brain...

Our brains are made mostly of fat and it’s essential to keep all the components in working order. A no-fat diet is actually one of the worst things you can do for your brain, so it’s important to identify some low-fat and good fat foods to feed it. Here’s what’s on the brain food list:

• Eat fish twice a week. Canned tuna and salmon count.

• Use plenty of oil right out of the bottle as condiments, sauces or toppings. Go easy on the oil when you’re cooking with it. It loses some health benefits when heated.

• Use olive oil instead of butter. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and protects the brain.

• Add brain-friendly walnuts as often as possible. They’re great in salads, baked goods, cereal and ice cream.

If you brush, then floss – consider switching that around...

Don’t forget to floss and brush – in that order...

The American Dental Association recommends flossing first. Once those hard-to-reach areas are clear of debris, your toothpaste and fluoride can work more effectively in those spots.

For the ultimate oral routine – don’t rinse right after you brush. Find something else to do for and avoid fluids for up to a half hour to let whitening agents and fluoride do their thing.

Our appearance says a lot about our health. Here are some red-flag features to watch out for...

If someone just doesn’t look right – they could be ill...

There are a lot of common health issues that could be written all over our face, feet or fingers:

• Early wrinkles in women can hint at a greater risk of lower bone density.

• Swollen feet, without injury, could be a sign you’re more prone to heart disease.

• Pitted fingernails could indicate arthritis and should be checked by a doctor.

• A butterfly rash, which stretches across both cheeks in the shape of a butterfly, is a classic symptom of lupus, an immune-system disorder that affects the skin, joints, blood and kidneys.

• Hair loss can be alarming for women. Pregnancy, stress and hormones could be to blame – but dry, thinning hair can also indicate an overactive thyroid.

• Severely dry or cracked lips can be a symptom of Sjögren’s (SHOW-grens) syndrome, another immune disorder.

• A yellowing in the whites of the eyes could indicate liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Clean these off before you drive...

Freezing weather changes everything when it comes to driving...

Consumer Reports has some winter driving advice that starts before you even get into the car:

• Clear the whole car. That includes all the windows and the roof. Clumps of ice or snow falling off once you’re on the road are a danger to you and to others.  Also, be sure your lights and mirrors are free of slush or grime.

• Next, clear your feet. Any snow, slush or moisture that gets tracked into your vehicle will contribute to window fogging.

• Once you get going, start slow, drive smooth and allow for longer breaking distances. The trick is to avoid any sudden actions. Drive as if you had a full cup of hot coffee on the dash board.

• Don’t let four or all-wheel-drive give you a false sense of security. They are great with accelerating – but provide NO advantage when breaking or cornering.

Traffic made you late for work? Come on – you can do better than that...

Even the most punctual among us wind up late for work at some point...

A CareerBuilder survey says 16% of workers report arriving late to work once a week or more, 27% punch in late at least once a month. The reasons they site are pretty standard:

• Traffic – 31%

• Overslept – 18%

• Bad weather – 11%

• Getting kids to school or daycare – 8%

Blaming the car, the dog and the spouse were also pretty popular.  The hiring managers surveyed also had some more interesting late confessions to share:

• Employee believed his commute time should count toward his work hours.

• Employee was late due to a job interview with another company.

• Employee had to take a personal call from the state governor. That turned out to be true.

• Employee’s leg was trapped between the subway car and the platform. That was true.

• Employee thought she had won the lottery. She hadn’t.

Got Escamoles? I'll tell you what those are. You might want to put that sandwich down first...

Some people will try eating just about anything...

Tim Cameron, at Cracked.com, shares a few of the most terrifying foods he could find. You might want to put down that sandwich first:

• Escamoles: These are the eggs of a giant black ant in Mexico. The consistency of cottage cheese, they might go down a little easier hidden in a taco.

• Casu Marzu: This is a sheep milk cheese, deliberately infested with cheese flies. These translucent larvae are able to jump about 6 inches into the air, so you might want to wear safety glasses while eating them. This cheese is a delicacy in Sardinia – but it’s also illegal.

• Lutefisk: This food is legal and cleaner – a lot cleaner. It is a traditional Norwegian dish featuring cod that has been steeped in lye for several days.

• Baby Mice Wine: This traditional Chinese and Korean health tonic tastes a bit like gasoline. As for what’s in it, let’s just say you’d probably rather be drinking gasoline.  I'll spare you the image here.  You're welcome.

Are some people just luckier than others? Yes - and here's how to be one of them...

If you’re just not the lucky type – you can turn that around...

According to psychologist Ben Fletcher, our behavior has everything to do with our luck. People who EXPECT that good stuff to happen, as opposed to hoping or waiting for it, actually help to MAKE it happen. If you were told you would meet someone special or stumble across a great job today, you’d prepare yourself for it. You would be more aware of your surroundings and your own behavior. Unlucky people tend to be rigid and checklist-y in their thinking. They rarely steer off course and miss a lot of unexpected opportunities.

To up our luck, Dr. Fletcher says we need to take a stop-and-smell-the-roses approach to life. We’ll be more able to spot a lucky break when it pops up. Then, you have to go for it – that’s what the lucky types do.

5 Habits of Lucky People:

1) Lucky People expect the best.

2) Lucky People notice what others miss.

3) Lucky People say "yes."

4) Lucky People switch things up.

5) Lucky People bounce back

Is it better to take your shower in the morning – or at night?

If you shower once a day – do that in the morning...

Our skin cells work hard while we sleep. They are busy repairing any damage our epidermis suffered over the course of the day. Our bodies also measure and balance our internal water levels and toxins while we sleep – and rid some of the excess by sweating. Rinsing off that hard work in the morning means you won’t be wearing it all day.

If you’re the twice-a-day type – even better. Showering at night before bed can help to ease stress, lower blood pressure and fight insomnia. Just be sure you moisturize every time. Hot showers dry out the skin and you’ll need to replenish those natural oils you’re washing down the drain.

Colors have a big impact on our brains - use them wisely...

Pretty in pink, seeing red or green with envy – the colors that surround us every day can pack a powerful punch...

Each color emits a different wavelength that stimulates the brain in a specific way – and we can use that to our advantage. Here are a few ways to put the power of color to use:

• Red: Seeing it increases the heart rate and urges us to take action. Staring at red can help motivate you. Wearing it can help motivate him - it's a natural passion trigger for men.

• Green: Gazing at green relaxes muscles in the eyes and reduces computer eye strain. Wearing green suggests luck or wealth and can give you a positive edge.

• Blue: Looking at light blue can calm you, spur some creativity and help you think out-of-the-box. People in blue uniforms are perceived as more intelligent and resourceful.

• Yellow: Writing on yellow paper or using a highlighter can help you retain more information. Wearing it paints you as cheerful and optimistic.

• Black: Because it’s associated with spoiled food, staring at black can help curb the appetite. Wearing black boost confidence and makes you appear stronger.

• Pink: If you’re dressed in pink – you look a bit younger. If you stare at pink – you can reduce stress and muscle tension.

• Purple: A combination of red and blue, purple stimulates both of those sensors in your brain, leaving you relaxed yet alert. Deep purple can have a royal effect on your outfit.

Don’t get TOO comfortable. I’ve got some table manners we still need to mind...

Life has gotten a lot more casual over the past few decades – but there are some table manners that will NEVER go out of style...

Louise Fox, of the Etiquette Ladies, has a few that we still need to mind:

• If you are the recipient of a toast, keep your glass at arm’s length—never drink from it. Instead, simply nod your head and graciously say, “Thank you.”

• Never take your cocktail to the dinner table.

• Allow your food to cool on its own — never blow on anything.

• Your napkin is there for you to dab your mouth only. Do not use it to wipe off lipstick or blow your nose.

• Keep your elbows off the table at all times.

• Don’t put your purse, phone, keys, sunglasses, or eyeglasses on the table.

• Take food out of your mouth the way it went in. If a piece of steak fat went into your mouth with a fork, spit it out onto the fork. Remove an olive pit with your thumb and index finger.

• Taste everything on your plate before you add salt or pepper.

• Leave your plate where it is when you are finished with your meal — don’t push it away from you.

How do you keep your hands looking young and smooth? Let's ask a hand model...

Professional hand models are under a lot of pressure to keep those hands looking really good...

Our hands are exposed to more harsh elements than any other body part. According to Ashley Covington, a professional New York City hand model, the trick is good old olive oil. She massages it into her hands at least twice a day. She says it’s a lot less expensive than the fancy hand crèmes and much more effective.

Olive oil agrees with some other body parts too. It’s great at removing makeup, even stubborn mascara. Dry or brittle hair will drink it up. Chapped lips or cracked heels would love a little olive oil, and a shot or two in your bath water will leave you feeling soft all over.