If you’ll be carving a pumpkin soon – save the insides! What to do with them...

After you scoop out all those seeds and flesh from your pumpkin – put them aside for your hair...

Pumpkin is rich in omega-3 fats which are great for dry or damaged hair. Toss the seeds and strings in a blender with a bit of water and coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your hair, wrap it up and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Your hair will be silky smooth and healthy when you rinse it out, no conditioner necessary.

If you’ve got any pumpkin left over, smear some on your face. Cooked or canned pumpkin is great for your skin. Add a little honey and cream for your pumpkin facial mask. Apply it warm, leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse for a pumpkin glow.

Rosemary bushes are in bloom. Why you should buy one..

You may have noticed some rosemary bushes for sale in your supermarket...

They’re a fall favorite and you should really consider getting one. Rosemary is an excellent air purifier. One of those bushes will spruce up and clear the air in any size room. 

Rosemary plants have a really nice aroma and just a pinch will compliment some of your favorite fall and winter dishes. Make sure your rosemary bush is in a bright spot. It will need less water in the winter – but be careful not to let the soil dry out completely.

There’s something you can do in between checkups to spot melanoma...

It’s important to take note of any changes in our skin to catch potential problems with melanoma – but who can remember exactly what that mole looked like six months ago? 

Most of us have a handy tool to help us right in our pocket. Just take a picture of any moles or areas of concern, upload them to your computer, date them and save them. Repeat the process 3 to 6 months later and look for any inconsistencies. Here is the ABCD rule to follow:

A – Asymmetry, a mole shouldn’t differ from one side to the other. 

B – Border, the edges of the mole shouldn’t be blurred or jagged. 

C – Color, look out for any changes in color or patchy shades.

D – Diameter, check to see if a mole increases in size or if it is larger than 6mm across.

There are also several apps out there that can help you keep track of your skin health using photos. If you do notice any changes, be sure to follow up with a trip to the dermatologist right away.

Spending time with someone you don’t like is more than annoying – it’s could cause brain damage...

If there’s someone irritating in your life – limit your exposure to them...

Researchers at the University of Southern California say annoying people could be messing up your brain. Whether we realize it or not, we tend to mirror the people we’re interacting with. If that person is a jerk, it throws our brain and that mental reflex a curve ball. 

When we’re around people we don’t like, or who are different than us, our brains actually slow down in a mental act of protest. The good news is, the brain damage is temporary. Not only will you get back to normal when the jerk leaves, your brain activity can speed up and even improve by interacting with someone you really like.

Is it safe to let your dog kiss you – on the lips?

Ugh! I've been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs! Get hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some Iodine! 

Lucy Van Pelt was onto something. A new study just released says it’s possible for disease-causing oral bacteria to be exchanged between dogs and their owners. They looked at some dogs and owners and found that some of those humans had canine bacteria in their mouths that would not typically be there. 

However, according to Dr. Paul Maza, of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, you can probably catch more from kissing a human than a dog or a cat.   

Who is Tweeting the most out there?

A new study has revealed that SHE tweets more than HE does...

A social media analytics company has the data from Twitter. They say, of the 36 million users out there, 53% are female. Women are posting an average of 610 tweets, compared to 567 tweets from men. So what are women tweeting about? Their family is the most tweetable topic. Men prefer to tweet about tech stuff.

So what is this typical tweeter like? She’s American, 28 years old and has 208 followers. She loves her iPhone, she loves the color purple, loves her family and loves fashion – and her most tweeted word is “love.”

Office romances are tricky business. Tips on making it work at work...

If you just can’t resist that coworker – you’ll both have to be careful if you want to keep the relationship AND your jobs intact...

Here are some office romance tips from Marie Claire Magazine: 

• Size matters: Your relationship has a better chance in a large office environment where you can keep your distance. Dating in a small office can be uncomfortable for everyone.

• Date horizontally: This advice refers to job position. Relationships between higher ups or subordinates can be very risky.

• Keep it quiet: It’s best not to discuss a budding relationship or crush with anyone at work, until you both decide to make it official.

• Check with H.R.: Some companies have strict rules against employees dating each other. It’s a good idea to either ask what the company policy is or check the employee handbook. Most large companies have that topic covered.

Do you put utensils in the dishwasher handle up or handle down?

How were you taught to load the dishwasher? 

Families tend to pass their techniques down to the next generation. Here are some inherited loading styles:

• Knives down: 39% take the time to put knives in handle side up and other utensils handle down.

• 26% admit loading utensils handle up saves time.

• Glasses and cups: Most people insist they go on the top rack. 

• Plastic: 1/3 of us put it on the top rack to prevent melting.

• Pre-rinsing: 61% of families say they argue about whether or not to pre-rinse. 

How much we pack into each load seems to be a gender preference. Women are more likely to cram as much as possible into one load, while men are more likely to run the machine half full.

If you’d like to win the Nobel Prize one day – have some chocolate. How that increases your odds...

Here’s more evidence that chocolate is brain food...

A recent study, titled “Chocolate Consumption, Cognitive Function and Nobel Laureates,” has determined that countries with the highest overall chocolate consumption per-capita produce more Nobel Prize winners. 

The authors of the study point out that chocolate consumption enhances cognitive function, of which you’ll need plenty on your Nobel quest. 

If you’re really determined, you may want to move somewhere chocolate consumption per-capita is high. Your best options are: Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Germany or Norway.

Want to fall asleep faster tonight? Have a beer first. Which brew to choose...

If you’d like to get a good night’s sleep tonight – have a non-alcoholic beer before bed...

Researchers say it can help you fall asleep faster and decrease restlessness all night long. The secret sleep enhancing ingredients in non-alcoholic beer are the bitter resins in hop compounds and botanical ingredients used in the brewing process, which have sedative properties. 

If you prefer real beer, you’re out of luck. Beer, or any alcoholic beverages, will actually interfere with the quality of your sleep. It only takes one non-alcoholic beer to do the trick. For optimum results, drink it about one hour before you hit the sack.

If you or someone you know is bald – there’s a health risk you need to be aware of...

If you are bald or balding, you could be at higher risk of developing prostate cancer...

A recent study looked at men undergoing biopsies. Those who were mildly balding, or with receding hairlines, were twice as likely as those with a full head of hair, to have prostate cancer. Men who were mostly bald, or had no hair at all, were three times as likely to have the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. All men and ALL hair types need to be screened. Men who are balding or bald may want to ask their doctor to monitor them more carefully for prostate cancer.

Salad can be a healthy meal – if you do it right...

Having salad for lunch? 

There’s a right and a wrong way to do that if you’re watching your weight. Here are a few ideas to prevent turning that salad into junk food:

• Have the dressing on the side – and KEEP it on the side. Instead of dumping or drizzling the dressing on to that healthy stuff, just dip your fork into it before spearing each bite. You’ll still get the taste but you’ll save a ton of fat and calories.

• Skip the croutons. You really don’t need them. You’re better off tossing some protein into that salad, in the form of nuts or beans. You’ll also feel full for longer.

• Pick stuff out. If it’s got meat, cheese or eggs in there – take some away. You could be saving hundreds of calories. Some chef-style salads have more calories than we need for an entire day.

It’s peak pumpkin picking weekend. How to decorate it, no carving required...

It’s a great weekend to pick your perfect pumpkin – but it’s still a bit early to carve it...

Here are some great ways to dress up your pumpkin to hold you over for a few more weeks:

• Blackboard paint: It’s a fun option for a spooky looking, versatile pumpkin. Paint the whole thing black or just a section. You can change up the face or the message on there as often as you like with some chalk.

• Thumbtacks: It doesn’t get much easier than this. You can get as elaborate as you like creating studded designs with shiny or colourful tacks.

• The mask: Pick a head-sized pumpkin and it will look professionally decorated in less than a minute by just adding a mask, some eyes and maybe a hat. No mask yet? A quick wrap with some toilet paper, leaving room for the eyes and mouth, makes for a great mummy pumpkin.

You’ve got your mother’s smile – and her cavities!

Some people can have meticulous dental hygiene...

...and wind up with more problems than someone who eats candy and never flosses. Blame the parents. Most of us have a smile just like one of our parents, teeth included. Genes determine our height and hair color and our health – and teeth are no exception.

If both of your parents have good teeth – you’re probably in luck. If your parent’s teeth, or lack thereof, are a problem, don’t skip your next checkup. Children of parents with periodontal disease are 12 times more likely to wind up with it themselves. 

Tomatoes are good for us – so what about ketchup?

Even though tomatoes are the primary ingredient in ketchup, it’s no good for us...

Most brands are packed with sugar, sodium and high fructose corn syrup. Here are some other condiments to avoid if you’re watching what you eat:

• Regular mayonnaise is high in fat

• Barbecue sauce – high in sugar

• Worcestershire sauce is made from maple syrup – it’s good and bad

• Cocktail sauce is usually high in sugar

Teriyaki sauce, honey mustard and commercial jellies and jams are also pretty nutritionally lame. Here are some condiments you can enjoy, guilt-free:

• Regular yellow or spicy mustard - no sugar or fat, only vinegar and a little salt

• Hot sauce has no fat or sugar, just some salt

• Vinegar, olive oil and natural herbs and spices