Some women have a built-in cell phone holder. Why they shouldn’t use it...

Have you ever seen a woman stash some valuables in their bra or cleavage? 

It happens. Some women even find that spot to be a handy holder for their cell phone in a pinch. Believe it or not, there are now bras on the market with a built-in pocket for the phone. 

According to Dr. Devra Davis, president and founder of the Environmental Health Trust, that’s a really BAD idea. She says recent studies find that cell phone radiation can have biological impacts and could increase the risk of breast cancer. The use of cleavage to carry a phone is particularly popular among teens and young women who are still developing and are especially at risk.

Some fruits and vegetables contain a lot more pesticides than others. The Dirty Dozen...

We're supposed to thoroughly wash all of our produce to rid them of pesticides...

...and there are some fruits and vegetables you'll really need to scrub - or consider buying organic. Here is a list of the Dirty Dozen: 

• Apples
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Bell peppers
• Peaches
• Strawberries
• Nectarines
• Grapes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Blueberries
• Potatoes

These crops were found to have the highest pesticide residue by the EWG, or Environmental Working Group. The group also came up with some produce relatively low in pesticides. Their Clean 13 include: onions, corn, pineapples, avocado, cabbage, peas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, kiwi, sweet potatoes 

• Onions
• Corn
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Cabbage
• Peas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Kiwi
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Mushrooms

If your dishwasher just isn’t what it used to be – try running a cycle with this...

Over time, most dishwashers don’t get the job done like they used to...

That’s because most detergents leave a goopy residue after multiple uses. That can clog up the works and prevent your machine from thoroughly cleaning your dishes. Before you fire your dishwasher, there are a few things you can try to improve performance.

Switch up your detergent. They’re all a bit different and alternating them can reduce the amount of residue they leave behind. Another effective fix is running a load with white vinegar. Fill a bowl halfway with the vinegar and place it in your empty dishwasher on the lower rack. Run the machine on a normal setting and skip the drying cycle. The vinegar will help remove some of that goopy residue, hard water deposits and funky smells from in the elements you can’t reach by hand.  

Is today your birthday? I’ve got a list of free stuff, just for you...

Happy birthday! 

If today’s your day, there are all lot of retailers and restaurants who would like to help you celebrate. Here are a few free gifts for you to enjoy, just by showing your ID: 

• American Eagle: 15% off

• Barnes & Noble: Children get a free cupcake or cookie at the café

• CVS: Coupon for $3 off your next purchase

• Chuck E. Cheeses: 20 free tokens

• Baskin-Robbins: A free scoop of ice cream or soft serve

• Chili's: A free brownie sundae

• Starbucks: Free handcrafted beverage

• IHOP: Free Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity breakfast.

Does pumpkin pie put you in a good mood? The scientific reason for that...

It's true. There's something about pumpkin pie that puts people in a good mood...

That something is magnesium, which activates enzymes that give your metabolism and energy levels a boost. Pumpkin is also rich in potassium. That can help relieve anxiety and stress and is good for your nerves and muscle strength. 

Pumpkin pie also gives us a dose of fiber which makes everyone feel better. There's also vitamin A in there which is good for your eyesight and will help you look on the bright side.

Feeling blah? Sit up straight! How that helps...

Sit up straight! It can do wonders for your energy levels..

Research from San Francisco State University shows people who slouch have lower energy and higher levels of depression than those with better posture. Whether you’re standing or sitting, slouching interferes with the flow of oxygen from your lungs to your brain. 

If you’d like a good dose of energy, strike a power pose. Straightening your spine and pulling your shoulders back will open up that path of oxygen and give you a boost. Carol Krucoff, author of “Healing Yoga for Neck and Shoulder Pain,” says imagine there’s a headlight on your breast bone. Sitting or standing, always have that headlight shining forward. 

Cold and flu season are in full swing. How to spice up your immunity...

Nothing suggests fall and winter quite like nutmeg and cinnamon...

Some of our favorite spices can actually help protect us from colds and flu by boosting our immunity. Here are some tasty seasonal options:

• Thyme: It’s been found to fight off and shorten the length of colds.

• Sage: It tastes great in stuffing and gravy and even helps to boost memory.

• Cloves: They smell amazing and contain an antibacterial compound that kills germs.

• Cinnamon: It lowers cholesterol and is loaded with antioxidants.

• Nutmeg: It soothes the nervous system and reduces stress and blood pressure.

If you’re choosing a new doctor – check some stats first. What question to ask...

When choosing a doctor, it’s a good idea to learn something about their area of expertise, their education and their team spirit...

New research suggests that doctors who participated in team sports during their younger years tend to outperform doctors who didn’t. The Washington University School of Medicine study found that physicians with prior excellence in a team sport professionally outscored many who had better grades in medical school. These finding suggest that doctors with prior team experience tend to work better within a medical team environment and hesitate less in seeking support and expertise from their colleagues. 

If your doctor’s not a jock – ask about their musical talents. Those with established excellence in an orchestra, band or choir also excelled in their profession.

Before you accept that date – find out if that person has a dog. What the breed might say about them...

Does your date have a dog? 

You might want to see if you’re compatible with that breed before you commit. Glamour Magazine has some dog style profiles:

• Chihuahua: These owners like to pick a fight. Their competitive nature can be appealing – or exhausting.

• Miniature Poodle: Obsessed with appearance, this date is likely high maintenance and dramatic. Relationship potential: 3 months, tops.

• Labrador Retriever: Their loyalty knows no bounds. This date will be on the playful side and laid back. Long term potential is good, you’ll probably end up with several adorable children. 

• Beagle: This date makes for a great best friend – but may be stubborn and probably likes to drink. 

• Golden Retriever: The all-American sweetheart and the ultimate catch. Their happy and kind and usually pretty smart. 

• Pitbull: People cross the street to escape their path – but that rough exterior masks a loving personality. They may be on the cautious side and take their reputation very seriously.

• Sheep Dog: This date takes his or her career seriously but also loves to play. They’ve got a great sense of direction and will come in handy on a road trip. 

• German Shepherd: You’ll be in good hands with this mysterious, protective date. If you like someone in control, this date has good long-term potential.

If your stove has an exhaust fan – use it!

The next time you’re cooking – use your stove’s exhaust fan whether you need it or not...

It’s a good habit to get into whenever we cook. Inhaling fumes from a poorly ventilated stove can double our risk of lung irritation and inflammation, especially for those with breathing issues or asthma.

Researchers say we can really reduce in-home exposure to cooking and burner-generated air pollutants if we use that fan right. They’re usually more effective if you use the back burners instead of the front and keep them running on the high setting.

Tired of all of the political gloating and complaining of Facebook? How to filter those out...

 

The election may be over – but some people just can’t stop posting about it...

If you’d rather not be subjected to the bickering and political preaching by sore losers and ungracious winners, Facebook does have a tool to help filter those out without losing your annoying friends forever. Here are the steps:

• On your home page, find a post from the annoying friend. Let’s call him Dave. You’ll see the options “Like, Comment and Share” under Dave’s post – but you want the invisible options at the top right corner.

• Hover your mouse at the end of the thin line above Dave’s post. Click the small arrow that magically appears.

• Choose the “Hide” option.

• Next, choose “Change what updates you get from Dave.”

From here, you can either pick and choose what you’d like to see from Dave, or unsubscribe to him all-together. No worries, the “unsubscribe” option will not affect your friendship. Dave will have no idea you are not seeing his annoying posts anymore.

How old is your pet in people years? How to calculate that...

Most people multiply by 7 to determine a dog’s age in people years – but that’s not always the case...

The 7 year rule is more of an average. Size is a big factor in your dog’s human age. A Great Dane is considered a senior citizen at about 7 dog years, while most Chihuahuas won’t be ready to retire until about age 11.

Cats are different. Most people use the four year rule for felines – but it’s not that simple. Cats are fully mature by age 2. That’s 24 years old in people years. After that, you can start counting by 4’s. If your cat is 3 years old, that’s 24 plus 4. If your cat is 12 years old, that’s 24 plus 40, or 64 in people years.

Would you like to save some money shopping online? How to shop now and save later...

If you’d like to get a jump on some holiday shopping online, shop now – buy later...

According to Reddit.com, there’s an online shopping strategy that can really pay off. The trick is to place any and all items you’re considering into your virtual shopping cart – then walk away. Many online retailers will send you discounts and coupons on those items in an attempt to encourage you to complete the transaction. Sites like Amazon don’t issue coupons but will often notify you when the price drops on one of those items just sitting in your cart.

Do you really need to see a doctor about that? Let’s ask one...

We know we need a trip to the doctor when symptoms are serious – but what about the subtle ones?

Dr. Jamison Starbuck, a naturopathic physician, says has some seemingly harmless conditions that you might want to have checked out:

• Constipation: It could be more than just a nuisance and indicate a more serious problem. Talk to your doctor after 3 or 4 days.

• Fatigue: If you’re not sure why you’re so tired, you might want to ask your doctor to check for a thyroid problem, anemia, hormone levels or vitamin deficiency. 

• Nosebleeds: If you get them more than once a month, tell your doctor. Nosebleeds in older adults could indicate a more serious condition such as hypertension or heart disease.

Is there rain in the forecast? Check your local cows. How to read the weather the old fashioned way...

Before smartphones and Doppler radar – we humans depended a lot more on the animals to clue us in on the weather...

Here are a few tell-tale weather predictors that have been around forever:

• When a storm is approaching, birds fly lower in the sky. The drop in barometric pressure makes flying at high altitudes more difficult and it also hurts the birds’ ears.

• If you see cows lying on the grass, rain is probably on the way. When cows feel that pressure drop, they also feel the urge to lie down to preserve a dry spot in the grass.

• “Tails pointing west, weather's at its best; tails pointing east, weather is least." Animals tend to graze with their rear ends pointed toward the wind. A westerly wind usually indicates good weather, while an easterly wind can mean bad weather is on the way.

• Seeing more snakes and toads? Brace yourself for an earthquake. Animals that dwell underground often detect seismic disturbances and head for the surface. In 2009, a colony of toads mysteriously evacuated its pond before a disastrous earthquake in Italy. In China, in 1975, hibernating snakes emerged from their holes just prior to a major quake in Haicheng.