If you like potato chips, I’ve got a recipe you’re going to LOVE...

Did you know you can make your own, healthier potato chips in about 5 minutes?

All you’ll need is a potato, some olive oil and salt, a knife and a microwave. Just slice the unpeeled potato as thin as you can. Put the slices in a bowl and drizzle some olive oil and salt in there. Mix them around so they’re evenly coated. Lay those slices out on a microwave-safe plate and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. In less than 5 minutes you’ve got delicious, light brown, crispy potato chips that have 8 grams less fat per serving than regular chips.  You're welcome!

Smoke detectors are a must - and here are a few more detectors you should have...

If you don’t already have smoke detectors in your home – a trip to the hardware store is in order...

Even if you do – I’ve got a few more detectors for your shopping list:

• Carbon Monoxide detector: Most people are now aware that they’re available, affordable – and a must have.

• Natural Gas detector: Many are available that also test for propane and carbon monoxide.

• Radon: It is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer – and it’s colorless and odorless. A single-use radon test costs less than $15 and detectors are available for about $130.

If you need to make an important decision - set your alarm for tomorrow...

The next time you need to make an important decision try to do that between 7:30 and 11 AM...

Experts say we're most likely to make the best decision in that time frame. That's because of our circadian rhythms. They tell us when to wake up and when to go to sleep. They also have some say on how and when we function best. That morning window tends to be the time our confidence is the highest and were less likely to have had enough time to feel anxious or depressed yet. Decisions we arrive at without those other factors interfering are usually the best ones we’ll ever make.

Too much sun can be bad for you - but not enough could be deadly...

We’re often reminded to protect ourselves from too much sun – but not enough can be a big problem too...

A new study exposed some interesting statistics about people who live in areas with lower amounts of sunshine. They could actually be at greater risk for stroke. Dr. David Samadi, of Mount Sinai Hospital, explains that it’s the lack of vitamin D3 that increases that stroke risk. We make D3 in our skin and need sunshine to do that efficiently. Our individual healthy levels of D3 vary by age, weight and lifestyle. The best way to find out if you’re in the right D3 range is to be tested by your doctor. Dr. Samadi says most of us will get the right amount of D3 by spending 20 minutes a day with our skin exposed to direct sunlight.

Do you talk with your hands? If so, watch your language...

Some people just can’t get their point across without using their hands...

If you tend to let your fingers do the talking – keep them together. Making hand gestures with the fingers open is a sign of weakness, according to body language experts. Here are a few more things your hands and fingers could be saying:

• Over-gesturing, especially with hands raised above the shoulders, can make you appear out of control, less believable and less powerful.

• Hand to mouth or nose gestures are typically used when lying. Watch your listeners’ hands too. If they’re touching their nose or mouth – they probably don’t believe you.

• Open palm gestures indicate candor, while hidden hands, or hands in pockets, signals you may have something to hide.

• Wringing your hands or interlacing fingers shows a lack of confidence.

• Steepling gestures, with palms separated and fingers touching, says you mean business. Politicians, executives and professors use that all the time.

Looking for a reason to get a little dirty?

It’s no wonder pigs, kids and dogs seem to be happier when they’re dirty...

Researchers have found that dirt is a natural mood booster. There’s a good bacteria in there that acts like an antidepressant once it gets into your system. Before modern conveniences, planting, foraging and hunting in order to survive kept our dirt exposure at a happier level and most of us cold really benefit from getting a little dirty once in a while.

Some experiments with soil bacteria have found it to be just as effective as antidepressant drugs. It also improved immunity levels along with physical and mental stamina.

The next time you get a Charlie horse – don’t ignore it.

Charlie horse!

Those intense painful cramps don’t just happen for no reason. According to Jamison Starbuck, contributing editor to “The Alternative Advisor,” says we shouldn’t just be walking those off – we should be paying attention. Cramps and muscle spasms is our body trying to tell us something. She says they’re usually caused by one of three things: dehydration, muscle overuse or mineral deficiency. The next time one of your body parts cramps up – here’s how you can take some action to treat it:

• Up your fluid intake. If you’re not getting enough, your risk for muscle cramps goes way up. Plain water is the most effective treatment.

• Stretch. To avoid overusing our muscles, we really need to stretch before and after working them – and once more before going to bed.

• Check your minerals. If you’re low in magnesium, potassium and sodium – you’re much more likely to get cramps or muscle spasms. It’s best to get them naturally through your diet – but if the spasms continue, check with your doctor about supplements.

If you’ve been to a chiropractor – that could be a tax deduction...

Every tax season the IRS makes a few changes that could be easy to miss...

Here are a few helpful deductions that they’re allowing on our 2011 returns:

• Medical Deductions: Acupuncture, alcoholism and drug or nicotine addiction treatment programs, chiropractic care, eye exams, contact lenses, glasses, dental fees and dentures, psychiatric treatment and weight-loss programs for the obese.

• Casualty and Theft Losses: Fire, flood and storm damage, including hurricanes and tornadoes and replacement cost of trees and shrubs damaged by storms or fires.

• Job related: Job-related education expenses, job-search expenses, costs for preparing, typing, printing and mailing resumes, union and professional dues.

Here’s some good news for gamblers. Gambling losses are fully deductible as long as they are used to offset that year’s winnings.

Flying just got a little more fun...

The rules of air travel just changed a little – for the better...

Thanks to the brand new FAA Reauthorization bill, we’ve got a few more rights in the sky:

• If you need food or water, you can get it whenever you need it – in the air or stranded on the tarmac. The same goes for medical treatment. The previous “after 2 hours” rule no longer applies.

• Violins and trumpets fly for free. Musical instruments will be treated like carry-ons as long as they meet the standard guidelines. Cellos and tubas might not pass.

We’ll also have access to a new Department of Transportation consumer hotline to help us deal with questions or problems. It will be toll free and published online, in airports and on tickets.

Are you a people-pleaser? That could make you fat...

If you would describe yourself as a people-pleaser – you might be better off eating alone...

A recent study found that we tend to mimic other people, bite for bite, in social situations. That mirroring reflex applies to most people. But eager-to-please people who were trying to make a good impression – or make another person feel comfortable – were likely to really start wolfing it down.

In the study, the people-pleasing college students reported feeling pressure to eat when food was offered, even if they didn’t want it. When friends or family members were overeating or indulging in junk food, they would usually join in and eat a lot more than they normally would.

If you’ll be watching the big game on your TV this weekend, I’ve got some settings for you to change...

If you haven’t fiddled with the settings on your TV since you bought it – you’re NOT ready for the game this weekend...

James K. Willcox at Consumer Reports explains, out-of-the-box settings are often too dim in order to meet Energy Star guidelines. James says to check the settings. If there is an option called “sports,” DON’T pick that one. You’ll also want to avoid settings called “vivid” or “dynamic.” Those modes tend to over-boost the contrast and sharpness and lower the brightness too much. Look for a mode or setting called “natural,” “cinema” or “pro.” Those will give you super viewing balance.

BBQ Groundhog

Groundhog and beer - mmmm...

You may think that the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition of Groundhog Day was originally observed in hopes of an early spring – but there’s more to it than that. It was really more of an excuse to get together and drink. February 2nd marks winter’s halfway point - and the original hunting tradition did not involve waiting for the groundhog – they barbequed it and washed it down with beer - lots of it.

If it’s any consolation, groundhogs can be real jerks. They are naturally nasty in nature. The big loveable Phil version has been socialized by humans. Doug Schwartz, groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo, says they’re known for their aggression and killer instinct – sweet and cuddly takes a lot of work.

Punxsutawney Phil is actually a nickname. His full title is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.

If you don’t have a doctor in the family – ask for the next best thing...

Most of us don’t have a doctor or medical expert in the family or at our disposal – but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some help on the inside...

Dr. Charles B. Inlander, author of “Take This Book to the Hospital With You,” says there are quite a few knowledgeable health-care specialists out there who really can help:

• Nurse navigators. These skilled registered nurses or nurse practitioners help patients receiving inpatient or outpatient care with all aspects of their treatment, including scheduling and insurance.

• Medical social workers. Most hospitals have staff that help patients with medical concerns and issues such as aftercare follow-up. They can help with transfers and even intervene with insurance companies if there is a dispute.

• Your insurance company. Most larger insurance companies, including Medicare, have put together teams of personnel including nurses, social workers and even doctors — whose primary role is to provide customer assistance and guidance.

Dr. Inlander says someone who works within the system can be a great ally in helping you get through difficult or confusing medical situations. In most cases, these specialists are either free of charge or covered by insurance.

If you’d like to lower your restaurant bill – skip the first item you see...

A well designed menu can be very profitable for the restaurant...

There are a few things to beware of if you’d rather not overpay:

• Beware of the first item you see. Restaurants always place their biggest money-maker in the number one spot.

• Bigger isn’t always better. A lot of restaurants now offer two sizes. A small or half size for one price and a full size for a few dollars more. That’s code for “rip-off.” The bigger size is often the same size plate with just a tad more.

• Don’t order the never-ending pasta bowl. It may sound like free food – but we usually don’t eat more than one serving anyway.

Another trick restaurants often use is known as the “middle option.” When things are offered in groups of three, such as types of wine or desert, people choose the middle option most often. That’s why there’s a good chance the middle option will be the most profitable for the restaurant.

Before you watch that favorite TV show – you might want to weight the risk first...

Watching TV is bad for your health – REALLY bad...

A recent study from Australia says TV is shortening our life spans. Here are their findings: People who watched for a lifetime average of 6 hours per day died 4.8 years sooner. They also calculated that every hour of TV watched after age 25 reduces our life expectancy by 22 minutes.