There’s one important question most of us are afraid to ask our doctor. We’ll ask it anyway...

“Have you washed your hands?” 

That is the first question we should be asking our doctors and nurses – and most of us are afraid to. A recent study found that far too many patients say they’d be embarrassed to remind their doctor to wash their hands. Don’t be shy, go ahead and speak up – it could save a life.

Physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers may even appreciate the reminder. The healthcare industry has raised the bar internally where good hand hygiene is concerned. Medical workers are encouraged to remind each other - and it’s working. Since the launch of a national Clean Your Hands campaign in 2004, the amount of soap and alcoholic hand rub bought by NHS trusts has almost tripled. It’s reported that thousands of deaths and infections have been prevented, thanks to the new hand-washing standards – and plenty of reminders.   

If something happens to you – what happens to your pet? The tragic scenario...

Is your pet in your will? 

Most people assume a friend or family member would step in to care for your best friend in the event of your untimely demise – but don’t count on it. In the eyes of the court, your pet is considered property. According to attorney Rachel Hirschfeld, author of “Petriarch,” there is a very real chance your beloved pet will be euthanized after your death without proper planning. She says designating a home for your pet in your will may not be enough, as it can take months or years to settle your estate. 

A better option for your pet is to construct a freestanding pet trust – but those can be pricey. There is a less expensive option out there called a PPA, or Pet Protection Agreement. You won’t need an attorney but you’ll need to designate pet guardians and have the document signed and notarized. You can find a PPA online at LegalZoom.com.

Is it possible to get the flu from the flu shot?

If getting the flu is your excuse for not getting the flu shot – it’s a lame one...

A lot of people are under the impression that the shot itself could give them the flu. It’s not true! According to Dr. Dennis Cunningham, an infectious disease specialist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, it’s impossible to get or spread the flu from the injection. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine. The virus on it has been killed. While it is enough to trigger your immune system to start making antibodies, you can’t get an actual infection.

If you feel funky after your flu vaccination – it’s not your imagination. Some people do experience side effects such as low-grade fever, body aches and soreness at the injection site. Those may seem like mild flu-like symptoms but rest assured; they will pass and leave you better protected from the real deal.

If you think you’d feel someone picking your pocket – you’re wrong...

“I would feel it if someone tried to take my things.” 

America’s Favorite Pickpocket and Entertainer Gene Turner, says he’s heard that a million times. Yet he only gets caught in his act about one in a thousand times. It only takes one second and a brief distraction for a pickpocket to rob you blind – and they’ve got a lot of tricks up their sleeves. Here are Gene’s tips to avoid being part of the act:

• If you see a pickpocket warning sign in a public place – DON’T check for your valuables. Professional pickpockets often hang around those signs hoping you’ll show him exactly which pockets to pick. 

• Someone yelling out “Pickpocket!” in a crowd is likely the pickpocket himself warning you, while watching where you reach. 

• Flashing your money will get you more attention than you want. Pickpockets will notice where you stash the cash and one bump later, you’ll be left with an empty pocket. 

• Don't carry valuables in a backpack or fanny pack. Anyone can reach into those without you seeing or feeling it. 

• Split your cash up into several pockets. 

• Leave your bags in front of you, not at your side. When they are at your side, you can be distracted in one direction as your bag disappears in the other. 

• Avoid putting your wallet in the back pockets. A good pickpocket can get it and some will use a razorblade to slit the bottom of the pocket so the wallet will fall into their waiting hands. Rubber bands around a wallet also make it harder to slip away.

• Carry your purse in front of you and don’t hang it on the back of your chair at restaurants. Keep it between your feet. 

Texting is easier than ever these days. How NOT to overdo it...

Remember when texting was all thumbs and laborious on a number pad? 

Smartphones have made texting easier than ever and some people are overdoing it. Here is a refresher course in text etiquette:

• Keep it brief. A text message should be two to three sentences tops. Anything longer deserves an email or phone call.

• Don’t keep texting until you get a reply. If the recipient’s phone is off, they’ll be bombarded when they turn it back on. Repeated one-sided texting is just rude.

• Don’t end a relationship with a text message. Sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly common. If your relationships aren’t worthy of face-to-face closure, you need to reevaluate your choices.

• Use proper grammar and punctuation. There are a few common abbreviations that are commonplace now but cryptic messages lacking punctuation are a chore for the reader.

• Think before attaching. Multiple pictures, files or links may clog up the recipient’s inbox and prevent them from receiving other messages.

• Avoid texting if you’re about to be unavailable – or at least let the other person know when you will be.

Math anxiety is a real thing – and not just for kids. How it’s being taught...

Does your child suffer from math anxiety? They might be learning that from their teacher...

Research from the University of Chicago found that teachers of math students can actually project their own math anxiety onto their pupils. Female elementary teachers are the most likely to suffer, with math anxiety starting for kids as young as the first grade.

Math anxiety can be paralyzing for those who suffer. That’s because math problems affect the same area of the brain that is stimulated during a physical attack. Those with math-induced panic may feel so anxious at the thought of it, that their physical fight or flight response is triggered.  

Is that what really happened? How to tell if someone is telling a tall tale...

The next time you hear a story that’s hard to believe – pay attention to the order in which it’s told...

According to Pamela Meyer, a certified fraud examiner, liars tend to tell their story in chronological order, building up to a big finish. When we tell a true story, for the first time, we tend to blurt out details that had a big impact on us, randomly, not necessarily in the order that they happened, or remember things as we go. Liars are more likely to have it all planned out, skipping unnecessary details.

Another giveaway to a phony or exaggerated experience is the end. Truth tellers tend to include an epilogue, describing how they feel or how they were affected. That’s difficult for a liar to do, considering they didn’t truly experience those emotions since it never really happened that way.  

How much do you weigh? Why it may be more than you think..:

I’ve got some bad news: Most of us weigh more than we think...

A recent survey asked people if their weight was less, more, or about the same than the year before and a LOT of them got it wrong. Those who did not weigh themselves regularly had no idea they had gained a few pounds. 

Men were more likely to be in denial over their weight gain than women. The 18 to 50 year olds gained about a pound more than they thought. People over the age of 50 underestimated their weight gain by about 2 pounds.

Where do you part your hair? How it can make a big difference...

You can drastically change your looks in less than a minute – just by changing the part in your hair...

According to Eufora Stylist, Jeffrey Mayo, a lot of us are taking that part for granted and doing it all wrong. He says to find your perfect part, you’ll need a piece of paper. Standing in front of the mirror, cover half your face with the paper, take a good look, then switch to the other side. Determine which side of your face is your strong side. That’s the side with the higher features – and the side your part should be on. Now it’s time to professionally part your hair. Start your part in front, in line with the outside of that eye and continue diagonally back, ending in the center of your crown.  

There could be a down-side to growing up in a clean, comfortable home. The middle-class risk...

If you’re middle or upper-class, with a really clean house - your children could be at risk...

New research suggests that children in middle and high-income families are more likely to develop life-threatening nut allergies. Experts theorize that children from affluent families wind up with weaker immune systems because the home is too clean. Living in a sterile environment prevents young children from developing important resistance to natural elements in life. 

According to the lead author of the study, children between the ages of 1 and 9 in affluent families were most at risk of a sensitivity or allergy to peanuts. Only 20% of children outgrow that allergy later in life.

When that recipe calls for an egg you DON’T have – you’ve got some options. Alternate ingredients...

It happens to the best of us...

You’re ready to bake some brownies but you’re out of eggs. Don’t panic – you may have a alternatives handy. You can substitute a half a banana for 1 egg. Mash it up with a half teaspoon of baking powder. 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise can also take the place of 1 egg. Out of mayonnaise? Sour cream and yogurt can take its place in a pinch. Here are some other handy ingredient substitutes:

• No lemons? A splash of white wine will do the trick.

• Out of vanilla? Use an equal amount of maple syrup.

• Forgot the cooking spray? Rub your pan or skillet with half a potato.

Is your resume in chronological order – or functional order? Which is best...

If you’re dusting off your resume, you may want to consider reorganizing it a bit...

According to the experts at Monster.com, there are two basic formats you can choose for your experience: Chronological and functional. Chronological resumes are the most popular, listing your jobs and experience in order, starting with the most recent. The functional resume format takes a different approach. These list your highlights and strengths first, regardless of when you achieved them. Your actual work history will be at the bottom of the page.

So which resume format should you use? Go with the chronological if you’re experienced and seeking a job similar to your current or most recent position. If you’re switching careers or just entering the workforce, consider the function resume format. That’s also a better choice if you’ve got gaps in your work history or have frequently changed jobs. Your functional resume should highlight your abilities and skills at the top and include a summary of your work history at the bottom. 

If you have a special problem should you see a special doctor?

There are a lot of medical specialists out there. So how do you know if you need one? 

Ask your primary physician first. According to Dr. Minal Kale, a research associate at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, too many patients head straight for a specialist and cut their primary doctor out of the loop. She says, in many cases, their primary doctor could have addressed the situation.

Even in the event you do need a specialist, it's important to get there through your regular doctor. A good primary physician has a much better read on your overall health and personality and can relay important information to a specialist, who is more inclined to focus on a specific problem or body part. 

If you’d like your salad greens to last longer – get them out of the plastic...

The next time you buy bags of leafy greens – get them out of the bag and into a bowl before storing them...

Restaurants store their salad greens in stainless steel bowls. If you buy a lot of salad, it’s a good investment. Greens will last up to 10 days when stored in stainless steel, without any browning or significant wilting. If you don’t have stainless steel salad storage – toss a stainless fork or spoon into that salad bag or clam box. That will be enough to lengthen the life of your greens for a few more days.

Would you like to whiten your teeth? How to do that the natural way...

Teeth whitening is the top requested cosmetic dental procedure in the U.S...

If you’d like a brighter smile, without the price or trip to the dentist, here are a few things you can do to whiten your teeth the natural way:

• Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables. They’re naturally abrasive and help protect your teeth from stains and bacteria.

• Eat cheese. It’s great for the outer layer of enamel and even helps to prevent cavities.

• Brush with berries. Mash strawberries into a paste, apply to teeth and leave it there for 5 minutes. They help remove stains and plaque.

• Use baking soda and lemon juice. Mix it into a paste, brush it on and let it sit for a minute. Just don’t overdo it. Once a week is plenty.