Good Stuff!

 Ideas, thought starters (and a smile or two) to help us all live a little better....




The website DealNews.com has a list of things they expect to be cheaper this year, and a list of things that will be more expensive.

One major thing you'll be paying more for is gas: The national average is up 12 cents a gallon since the middle of December, and it's expected to keep going up. But first, here are five things that will cost LESS.

#1.) iPads and Android Tablets. The price of refurbished iPads dropped when the iPad 2 came out last year. And the same thing will happen with iPad 2s when the iPad 3 comes out. The cost of NEW iPad 2s might drop as well.
And now that the $199 Kindle Fire is Amazon's most successful product ever, the prices on ALL tablets are expected to start going down.

#2.) GPS Units. GPS apps for your smartphone are getting better, so not as many people are buying stand-alone units. Last year, you could get a GPS unit that used to cost $150 for about $70. And they're expected to get even cheaper in 2012.

#3.) 3-D TVs. A year ago, you could get a 55-inch 3-D TV for about $1,500. Now, you can get one for under $1,000. And with newer models coming out, the prices on the old models should drop dramatically.

#4.) Car Rentals. Rental companies apparently have a surplus of cars this year. So the website DealNews.com is predicting more deals than there were in 2011.

#5.) Property. Last year, average home prices were down 3.4%. And unless the unemployment rate starts dropping significantly . . . which most experts don't think will happen . . . home prices should keep going down, or at least stay the same.


Here are five things that are expected to be MORE expensive.


#1.) Airline Tickets. According to American Express, the price for a seat in coach will go up 5%, and a seat in business class will cost 7% more than last year.
And if you're flying to any country in the European Union, you'll pay an extra $15 per passenger because of a new "green tax" that's aimed at reducing emissions.

#2.) Hard Drives. There's a shortage because of all the flooding in Thailand last year. So prices will be up for the next few months, until production catches up with demand.

#3.) Gold. The price of gold is expected to go up for the 11th year in a row. On average, its gone up 17% a year for the past decade. This year, it's supposed to go up 12%.

#3.) Water. Cities all across the country have to increase revenue so they can balance their budgets. And one of the easiest ways to do it is to up everyone's water bill.
In most areas, it probably won't be that significant. But water bills in the Chicago area are expected to go up by as much as 25%.

#5.) Shipping. Starting January 22nd, the U.S. Postal Service will start charging an average of 4.6% more to send a package. FedEx and UPS are also planning to charge about 5% more for small packages this year.

(DealNews.com)







We found an article online about how some of the technology you use every day isn't as reliable as you might think. Here are the top six "Gadgets That Lie to You Every Day".

#1.) The Fuel Gauge on Your Car. You've probably noticed that after you fill up at a gas station, the needle goes to "Full" . . . and then stays there for the first 50 miles or so.
That's because the thing in the tank that measures how much gas you have is just a rubber ball on a stick, like the one in the tank on your toilet.
So when you're 90% full, it still looks like you're COMPLETELY full. And when it says you're on "empty," you probably still have a gallon of gas left.

#2.) The "Door Close" Button in the Elevator at Work. In most cases, it doesn't do anything. That's according to John Menville, who's been working on elevators for 47 years.
The "door close" buttons in SOME elevators work. But he says it's usually there just to give us the ILLUSION of control. And it only works for firefighters and paramedics if they use their key.

#3.) Scales. The scale in your bathroom probably isn't as accurate as you think. But what's worse is, the one at your DOCTOR'S office might not be accurate either.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina found that 20% of the scales in U.S. hospitals are off.

#4.) The Thermostat in Your Office. It depends on how cheap your company is, but some experts say almost ALL office thermostats do absolutely nothing.
The idea is, if you and your coworkers could constantly mess with it, the heating and power bills would go up. In one industry newsletter poll, 51 out of 70 people who responded said they'd personally installed a fake thermostat.
Luckily, it might not matter. Researchers have found that just turning the dial up on a thermostat makes most people FEEL warmer.
In one study, a bank installed three fake thermostats for three different tellers who'd been complaining about the temperature. And all three of them thought it made a big difference.

#5.) Your Speedometer. How accurate it is depends on a few things, including tire pressure, the weather, how old your alternator is, and how old your tires are.
In theory, your speedometer could be off by up to 10% . . . or seven miles an hour if you're driving 70. But according to one study, the average is more like ONE percent.

#6.) Your Cell Phone. It lies about two things: Battery life, and signal strength. When it says it's "100%" charged, it's actually more like 90 or 95% charged, because being FULLY charged can damage your battery.
But cell phone makers know we wouldn't be satisfied if it said "95% charged." So they have it say "100%" instead.
With your signal, the bars don't tell the whole story. They show how much signal you're GETTING, but not all of that signal is USABLE.

Two years ago, the magazine "PC World" did an in-depth test of cell phone service in 13 U.S. cities. And in 12 of those cities, they found NO CONNECTION between the number of bars, and the quality of the service.

(Cracked.com)

Five Ways to Make Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner Easier:

If you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, here's a list from "Reader's Digest" of five ways you can make things easier on yourself.

#1.)� Keep It Simple.� All you need is turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, and a vegetable.� If you have time to make more dishes, go for it.� But don't feel like you HAVE to
You can also turn it into a potluck, and ask your GUESTS to do some of the cooking.� Just tell them by TODAY, so they have a little time to plan.

#2.)� Don't Be Afraid to Use the Microwave.� Potatoes need to reach a temperature of at least 180 degrees to cook.� Your microwave heats them up to about 210 degrees, which is plenty.
It's also fine to use your microwave for vegetables, like asparagus and string beans.� It's just frowned upon because it's not the TRADITIONAL way to cook on Thanksgiving.

#3.)� Cook the Breasts and the Legs Separately.� It's harder to cook a whole turkey, because turkeys don't cook evenly:� The breast meat cooks faster than the dark meat does.� That's why it's so easy to end up with white meat that's too dry.

#4.)� Use a Meat Thermometer.� It takes the guesswork out of it.� The USDA says to cook your turkey until the thermometer reads 165 degrees, which is the "instant kill" temperature for any bacteria.

Just be careful, because once it gets that hot, it can dry out pretty fast.

#5.)� Buy Dessert.� It costs about the same whether you make a pumpkin pie, or you BUY a pumpkin pie.� And both versions pretty much taste the same.� So unless you LOVE making pumpkin pie . . . just buy one.�
(Reader's Digest)

 

 

If your computer guy at work treats you like a moron and never explains things, you're not alone. Here's a list from "Reader's Digest" of the top five things your I.T. person hasn't told you.

#1.) It's Easy to Cover Their Tracks When They Screw Up. For example, if they're moving all your email from one system to another and accidentally delete some of it . . . the last thing they'll do is admit they screwed up.
Instead, they'll just tell you one of the files got corrupted, because you probably won't know enough about it to argue.

#2.) If It's Something Simple, Google It. If you need help using a program you're not familiar with, Google is the best option. Just don't try to solve EVERY problem with Google.
If you're having general computer issues, ask the I.T. person to handle it so you don't screw things up more. Even if you CAN fix it yourself, they'll probably do it faster.

#3.) They Can't Make an Old Computer Fast Again. Hard drives spin 7,200 times per minute, so there's bound to be wear and tear. If your computer is four years old, they might figure out ways to make it a LITTLE faster. But not much.
When speed's an issue, the easiest fix is upgrading to a newer computer. But since that's not always in the budget, they'll try to convince you to be satisfied with whatever tiny speed boosts they can make.

#4.) They Prefer Being Emailed. For an I.T. person, it's more efficient than a phone call. Ideally, they want an email with a list of problems, so each one is documented and they can deal with them individually.
#5.) Clearing Your Cookies and Web History Doesn't Do Any Good. I.T. departments usually track everyone's Internet use. And even if you delete the history on YOUR computer, they can still see it on theirs.
That's because, in order to access any external sites, you still have to go through your company's local network, Cletus.
That's also how companies universally block sites like Facebook and YouTube. And sometimes when your boss wants to fire someone, they'll go to the I.T. department to dig up dirt.

(Reader's Digest)



Lose weight with one simple step!!!!


Now THIS is my kind of diet. I don't have to eat anything different or, God forbid, exercise. All I have to do is PICK UP FOOD DIFFERENTLY.

According to a new study out of the University of Southern California, people eat 30% less when they eat with their non-dominant hand. In other words, if you're right handed, put the fork or the piece of pizza in your left hand.

David Neal is a psychologist who led the study. He says that a lot of our eating is by HABIT . . . we're not even aware of how much food we're shoveling into our mouths.

By switching to your non-dominant hand, quote, "[you] disrupt the physical sequence of action that is automatic eating [and] that's one way to gain some control."

(CNN)








If you partied a little too hard this weekend, then you know where that headache you woke up with came from. But here's a list from iVillage.com of five more headache triggers, and how to treat them.

#1.) Hunger. You've probably heard that some foods can cause migraines . . . like chocolate, caffeine, and certain kinds of cheese.

But for most people, HOW OFTEN you eat is more important than WHAT you eat. So if you get NORMAL headaches all the time . . . not migraines . . . try eating smaller meals, and eating more often. It'll also help you lose weight.

#2.) Sex. It's actually been shown to RELIEVE some types of pain. But sometimes the muscles in your head and neck tense up so much, it gives you a headache. And an increase in blood pressure can also do it.
It doesn't happen to most people, but if you suffer from migraines, you're much more likely to have a problem. So taking migraine meds BEFORE you get busy is the best way to prevent it.

#3.) Hormones. According to the National Headache Foundation, 60% of women who have migraines get them during their menstrual cycle. And researchers think it has to do with the change in estrogen.

To prevent them, talk to your doctor about taking an anti-inflamatory, like Advil or Aleve. And start taking them a day or two before your cycle starts.

#4.) Bad Posture. Slouching can put more strain on the nerves near the top of your spine, which can cause what SEEMS like a migraine. But you can prevent it by standing up straight, and by learning a few stretches:
First, stretch the muscles in the back of your neck by tilting your head as far forward as you can, and holding it for 20 seconds. Then tilt your head to each side and do the same thing.

#5.) Waking Up. If you take too many pain killers before bed, you can wake up with what's called a "rebound headache." And cluster headaches are sometimes called "alarm clock headaches" because they're so bad, they wake you up.
Tension headaches are usually worse in the morning too, and unfortunately, iVillage doesn't really have a treatment for morning headaches, because they happen for so many reasons. They say to talk to your doctor, and see what's best.

(iVillage.com)


If you're still refusing to get a smart phone because you think you don't need it, check out this list from "Reader's Digest" of four extremely useful apps that are also FREE.

#1.) Sit or Squat. It tells you where the closest public restroom is, and ranks how clean they are by telling you whether to "sit" or "squat."
It also lists features like changing tables and seat covers. And you can see photos posted by people who've been there before.

Sit or Squat' is available for iPhone and BlackBerry users. Or you can access it on ANY cell phone by sending a text message. But the text version is pretty lame.

#2.) FastCustomer. It lets you contact customer service at 2,600 different companies without waiting on hold. You just choose a company from the list, and they automatically call when someone's available. For the iPhone, and Android users.

#3.) Find My iPhone. This one only works with Apple products, but it's great: It lets you install a program on your computer to track your iPhone using the GPS. So if you lose it . . . or someone steals it . . . there's still hope.
It also lets you remotely lock your phone, or even wipe the hard drive if you want to.

#4.) Dragon Go. It's a voice recognition program, and it's supposed to basically help you find ANYTHING. You might have seen ads for the computer version on TV. But there's a free version for iPhone users.

All you do is say something like, "Best sushi in New York" or "latest movie with Will Ferrell," and it pops up results on the most relevant app, like Yelp or Fandango.

(Reader's Digest)




Rock-paper-scissors SEEMS to be a completely random game . . . but an expert claims you can use strategies to help you win.

Graham Walker is a rock-paper-scissors veteran, and organized the last five World Championships of 'RPS' . . . that's what 'insiders' call the game.

He says the key is to realize that, while the game may SEEM random, most humans aren't, and act according to predictable patterns.

The first rule of RPS is "Rock is for Rookies." Inexperienced players tend to lead off a game by throwing rock first. No one knows why, but it means you can lead off with paper and earn yourself a quick victory.
Next is the rule of threes: People don't like to throw the same thing three times in a row. They think it makes them seem too predictable. That means that if someone has thrown rock twice, you can bet they won't do it again. So if you throw scissors, you'll either beat their paper, or settle for a tie.

This next tip seems kind of sketchy, but Graham says it works: People tend to mimic gestures they see other people making. So if you make a lot of hand motions holding out two fingers, you might be able to subconsciously influence your opponent to throw scissors. And you'll be waiting with rock.

Finally, after losing, a person often leads off the next game by throwing what would have won last time. So if your paper covered his rock last time, he'll probably throw the scissors that would have cut your paper. And you'll be waiting with rock.

(Yahoo)



It seems like just about everything costs more than it used to. And prices for everything from coffee and bacon, to rent, health care, and used cars have hit all-time highs.

But according to "Time" magazine, here are seven things that are actually getting cheaper.

#1.) Pools. Sales of in-ground pools have dropped 75% since 2004. And it's caused what "The Wall Street Journal" called, quote, "one of the most dramatic discounting eras ever seen."
If you're in the market, most companies are offering big discounts, and throwing in extra stuff for free.

#2.) IKEA Products. By cutting the cost of materials, transportation, design, production, and marketing, IKEA is lowering prices on everything by two to three percent this year. And they're also doing the same thing NEXT year.

#3.) Volkswagens. Most cars are getting more expensive, but in the last two years, Volkswagen has lowered the base price of both the Jetta and the Passat.
Last year, they dropped the price of the Jetta by about $1,700 to $15,995
And the 2012 Passat starts at $19,995, which is $7,000 cheaper than the 2011 model. Although, according to car experts, the new models aren't quite as good.

#4.) Real Estate. Homeowners aren't happy about this one, but it's great if you're planning to buy. In the last few years, housing prices have decreased by one-third, which is even more than they did during the Great Depression.

#5.) Solar Panels. 66% more Americans had solar panels installed in the first quarter of 2011 than in 2010. And it's partly because the price of solar panel equipment has dropped 15% over the last year.

#6.) 3-D Televisions. Last July, a 50-inch 3-D television cost about $900 more than a regular 50-inch TV did. But right now, the 3-D version is about $400 more.

#7.) Going Into Space. A company called SpaceX is developing new rockets that will make space travel one-third to one-half cheaper. But it'll still cost about $100,000 per person. So . . . start saving now?

(Time)



Are you Curious About the New Google +

Google's new social networking site, Google-Plus, isn't available to everyone yet, and you can only join if someone invites you. But in the last two weeks, more than 10 million people have joined.

That's not much compared to Facebook's 750 million members. But some people say Google-Plus might be better. Here are three things Google-Plus has that Facebook doesn't.

#1.) Video Conference Calls. Google calls them "Hangouts," and they're basically like chat rooms with video. Any user can create a "Hangout," then other people join it. And it lets you do things together, like watch YouTube videos as a group.
Facebook and Skype recently teamed up, but there's still no way to do video conference calls for free.

#2.) A Real News Feed. The Facebook "News Feed" only tells you what your FRIENDS are doing. But Google-Plus also has a feature called "Sparks" that lists news stories, blogs, and even recipes based on your interests.

#3.) You Can See What Strangers Are Doing Too. You might not care to, but on Google-Plus there's the option to have your news feed include posts and status updates from EVERYONE who's following you . . . even if you're not following them.
Also, as long as you add someone to your circle of friends, you can join a group video chat that they create . . . even if they haven't added YOU as a friend.


(Huffington Post)



Independence Day is a loud holiday, which means it's not great for dogs. So here's a quick list of four tips to keep your dog happy and safe this Fourth of July.

#1.) Make Sure Your Dog Is Wearing Its Collar. This is the most important one, because if it gets spooked by fireworks, it might run away. So make sure the collar is on, and the tags have the right contact info.

#2.) Keep Your Dog in a Quiet Room. If it really starts freaking out, draw the blinds, and turn on the TV or the radio to drown out the noise.

#3.) Don't Console Your Dog If It Gets Scared. It seems weird, but most dog experts agree that if you comfort your dog when it's scared, it reinforces the idea that it SHOULD be scared.
You're supposed to just ignore the barking, and hopefully it'll calm down.

#4.) Don't Bring Your Dog to a Fireworks Show. They usually take place at parks or next to a body of water. . . which are two places you might NORMALLY bring your dog.
But don't do it on the Fourth of July, because if he gets scared and runs off in an area he doesn't know, it's an even bigger headache. And you also have to worry about all the traffic.

(PetsBest.com)





If you've been holding your cell phone a foot from your ear ever since you heard that it's a "possible carcinogen," relax. It just means cell phones MIGHT cause cancer. Here are four things people use every day that are even riskier.

#1.) Coffee. Yeah, it's been shown to PREVENT some types of cancer: A study last month said men who have six or more cups a day are 60% LESS likely to develop fatal prostate cancer. But coffee's still classified as a PROBABLE carcinogen.
It's been linked to bladder cancer since 1991, and a 2010 study found that two or more cups a day increases your risk of developing lung cancer by 14%.

#2.) Alcohol. It's a KNOWN carcinogen. According to a German study in April, almost 10% of cancers in men, and 3% in women, can be linked to excessive drinking. That includes cancers of the colon, liver, upper digestive tract, and breast cancer.

#3.) Salt. It's also classified as a "known carcinogen," because foods that are high in salt have been linked to ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.

#4.) The Sun. It's a known carcinogen, because obviously too much sun can lead to skin cancer. And tanning beds are even worse because some of them emit ten to 15 times more UV radiation than the midday sun.

A 2010 study found that young people who have EVER used a tanning bed are 1.4 times more likely to get the deadliest form of skin cancer: melanoma. And people who have used them more than ten times have double the risk.
Melanoma rates in young women have tripled over the past 30 years. And researchers think it's largely because of tanning beds.

(Healthline.com)




OK, I get it...you might not care for Lady Gaga but you have to admit, she keeps herself in pretty good shape.

Have you ever watched LADY GAGA traipsing around in one of her skimpy costumes and thought: "Gee, what I wouldn't give for a butt like that"? I know I have.
Well, there's good news. Lady Gaga's trainer is revealing some of her fitness "secrets," so you can make your little monstrous body look more like Lady Gaga's. Here's a quick rundown:

For Lady Gaga's LEGS: Try "reverse lunges" . . . six sets of 20 . . . while holding a 10-pound weight in each hand, above the knees. The trainer says, quote, "[Lady Gaga] can do this move in hotel rooms."


For Lady Gaga's ARMS: Try "overhead dumbbell triceps extensions" . . . six sets of 20 . . . and "lateral dumbbell raises" for your shoulders. The trainer says, quote, "Gaga wants to look like she has long arms . . . we wanted to tone every ounce of her body."

For Lady Gaga's ABS: Try "bicycle crunches" . . . six sets of 20. The trainer says, quote, "They train her abs from every direction . . . most of what she wears shows her stomach, so her goal was to have the best abs ever."

For Lady Gaga's BUTT: Try "skater lunges" . . . six sets of 20. The trainer says, quote, "You cross your right leg behind your left and drop your right knee like you're CURTSEYING. Then switch sides and do it again to complete one rep.

"Getting a great rear-end was another priority for Gaga."

Good Luck!






Elementary school lunches in the U.S. are supposed to include all the basic food groups, and last year Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which is supposed to make school lunches more nutritious.
But as of now, they're still pretty disgusting. Less than one-third of schools meet the recommended maximum for saturated fat in their meals.
And fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King test their ground beef five to ten times more often than the USDA tests beef sent to public schools.

So "Good Magazine" compared the average school lunch to the average meal served in U.S. PRISONS, and the results might surprise you.

Fact #1.) They Both Have About the Same Number of Calories. The average prison meal has between 1,300 and 1,450. The average school lunch has about 1,400.

Fact #2.) They Cost About the Same to Make. The average cost of feeding a prisoner is $2.62 per day, compared to $2.68 for the average student.
But the government spends about $11 billion a year on the school lunch program, compared to $205 million for prison food . . . because even though prisons are overcrowded, there are still a lot more kids than prisoners.

Fact #3.) Both Meals Have One Bread Item, One Starch Item, and One Drink. But kids get about an ounce less meat, and prisoners usually get more fruit and vegetables.

So basically, prison food is SLIGHTLY healthier than school lunches are, but they're basically the same. In fact, a lot of schools and prisons get their food from the same distributors. Aramark is one of the biggest companies that provides food to both.

(Good Magazine)





 You Might Just Be Healthier Than You Think!

A lot of people think the placebo effect isn't a big deal, because it doesn't ACTUALLY make you better . . . it just makes you THINK you're better.
But in reality, placebos are surprisingly effective for people with Parkinson's, depression, intestinal issues, and a variety of other things.

And up to one-third of people who are in pain feel better after taking a placebo, because when your brain thinks you're taking a pain reliever, your body automatically releases compounds called opioids, which are kind of like morphine.

Here are four more big misconceptions that most people have about their health.

Myth #1.) "Overweight" Equals "Unhealthy." In one study, more than 25,000 men where tracked for over 23 years, and researchers kept tabs on their health.
In the end, men who were overweight or obese, but exercised regularly, tended to live longer than men who were thin but DIDN'T exercise.
In general, doctors worry more about your body mass index, which is supposed to be below 25. But if you have a lot of muscle, it can be much higher.


Myth #2.) If You Have Bad Genes, You're Destined to Die Early. Scientists keep finding new things in our DNA, like the breast cancer gene, which significantly increases your chances of developing breast cancer at some point in your life.
60 to 80 percent of women who have the gene will develop breast cancer compared to 13 percent of women who don't. But it's not the same with other diseases, and if someone in your family died early, it doesn't necessarily mean you will too.
In fact, scientists think the majority of cancers are caused by things you can avoid, like smoking, sun exposure, and a poor diet.
And if there was a pie chart showing all the things that affect how long you live, your genes would only take up about one-third of it. The other two-thirds are things you can control.

Myth #3.) Prescription Drugs Are Guaranteed to Be Safe. People think that if the FDA approves a new drug, it means it's been thoroughly tested for side effects.
But about 10 percent of the drugs that are approved by the FDA are later discovered to have MAJOR side effects that didn't show up in clinical trials.
That's why you should stick with a medication if it's working for you, and not switch to some new drug because you saw an ad for it on TV.

Myth #4.) Hospitals Are Sterile. The reality is, hospitals . . . and doctors . . . are often covered in nasty drug-resistant germs that could make you sicker or even kill you.
According to the CDC, each year 1.7 million people in the U.S. develop infections while staying at the hospital, or immediately after they're discharged. And almost 100,000 of them die.
(Reader's Digest)

Today is tax day, and if you think the stuff WE get taxed for is crazy, check out this list from Cracked.com: It's five of the craziest taxes in history.

#1.) Urine. Ancient Rome's sewage system was revolutionary, but a lot of the public toilets were more like porta-potties, and all the waste was collected in large containers underneath.
Now, here's where it gets really gross: An emperor in the first century named Vespasian realized that the urine could be used for a variety of different things:
Roman tanners used it to soften leather, and people even used it in their LAUNDRY because the ammonia made their togas whiter.
So the emperor had workers collect the urine, then he distributed it to people and charged them a tax for the delivery.

#2.) Soap. Regular baths were starting to get popular in England in the 17th century, but then everyone's favorite ultra-religious Puritan, Oliver Cromwell, overthrew the government, and HE thought that being too clean was ungodly.
So to discourage it, he placed a large tax on soap. And since future kings liked getting the money, the tax stayed in place for 200 years.

#3.) Beards. In 1700, beards were still popular in Russia, but they were out of style in the rest of Europe. And Peter the Great wanted to make Russia more modern, so he basically made beards illegal.
The only way you could have one was if you paid a large yearly tax for it. And it was controversial because men in the Russian Orthodox church HAD to have long beards.

#4.) Cowardice. In the 12th century, land-owning knights in England had to fight if there was a war.
But if they didn't want to risk their lives, and they had enough money, they could pay a tax called "scutage" (--pronounced SKOO-tej). Then the king would use that money to hire OTHER soldiers.

#5.) Wigs and Hats. In the 18th century, the British government started taxing wigs and wig powder, which were only used by rich people. But they were going out of style anyway, and people just stopped wearing them.
So to make up for it, the government started taxing hats, which were popular with rich people AND poor people.
When you bought a hat, you had to pay the tax, then they stamped the inside of it. And if you were caught trying to FORGE the stamp, you got sentenced to death.

(Cracked.com)





 If you want to stay healthy but don't have the time or the energy, "Prevention" magazine came up with a list of easy alternatives to a few golden rules about healthy living. Here are the top six.

#1.) Get Five Servings of Fruits and Vegetables a Day Instead of Nine. According to a Harvard University study, five is enough to keep your weight in check and reduce your risk of stroke by 31%.

#2.) Don't Worry About Chugging Eight Glasses of Water a Day. That's how much you need if you don't get it in any other way. But things like coffee are mostly water, and your body gets about 20% of the water it needs from the food you eat.
So if you don't like sipping water all day, just drink it with meals and have a glass whenever you're thirsty.

#3.) If You Can't Get Eight Hours of Sleep, Get Seven. It might affect your energy level the next day, but it won't affect your health.
Seven hours is the cutoff though, and if you consistently get less than SIX hours of sleep a night, it can increase your risk of developing diabetes and depression.

#4.) Do 17 Minutes of Cardio Every Day. Even though 30 minutes, five days a week is the gold standard, multiple studies have shown that breaking up exercise into smaller segments is just as good for you.
And a recent study showed that women who get two hours of cardio per week reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke by 27%. Two hours a week breaks down to about 17 minutes a day.

#5.) Lift Weights Once a Week. In a perfect world, you should be strength-training two to three days a week.
But in a recent study, people who lifted weights once a week were able to gain almost as much muscle mass as people who lifted weights three times a week. It just took a few more weeks to get there.

#6.) Wash Your Hands for 10 Seconds Instead of 20. According to a study at the University of North Carolina, 10 seconds is enough to kill 90% of the bacteria on your hands.
And they say that how OFTEN you wash your hands is much more important than how THOROUGHLY you wash them.

(Prevention)



According to the magazine "Prevention", the average family throws away 122 pounds of food per month and wastes $590 a year on stuff that eventually goes bad. So here are five perishables, and how you can make them last longer in the fridge.

#1.) Eggs. Most new refrigerators have a special spot on the door for eggs. But you shouldn't store them there because it makes them vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature. If you keep them in their original cardboard container and store them INSIDE the refrigerator, they'll last 3 to 4 weeks past their expiration date.

#2.) Milk. The same rule applies. Milk should be stored in the back of the fridge, where the air stays coldest. And when you're at the store, you should buy milk last so you minimize the amount of time it goes unrefrigerated.
 

#3.) Lunchmeat. Just make sure you store it in the meat drawer, which is specially designed to keep cold air in. As long as you don't forget to reseal the bag every time you use some, lunchmeat should last 3 to 5 days past its expiration date.

#4.) Tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes should always be in the fridge, but large varieties should stay at room temperature until they're bright red. Putting them in the refrigerator too early prevents them from ripening.
 

And don't put ripe tomatoes near other vegetables in the fridge because they give off ethylene, which can make green veggies go bad. The same rule applies with apples, which also give off ethylene.
 

#5.) Hard Cheese. If you wrap it in plastic or aluminum foil and keep it refrigerated, it should last 2 to 4 months past the sell-by date.
 

And if there's a little mold, you don't have to throw the whole thing away. Just do what your grandparents did and cut the mold off, plus an extra half-inch of cheese below it.

Other things, like bread, don't work the same way. And if one piece is moldy, you have to throw out the whole loaf
(Prevention.com)

All Stressed Out and Nowhere To Go???
According to the magazine "Prevention", you might be more stressed out than you think. Here are seven random signs you're dealing with too much stress.

#1.) Weekend Headaches. According to the director of the Washington University Headache Center, a sudden DROP in stress can cause migraines.
So if you have bad headaches during the weekend when you're relaxing, it might be because you're NOT stressed out.

#2.) Bad Cramps. A Harvard study found that women are more than twice as likely to have extremely painful cramps when they're stressed out. Researchers say that exercise is the best remedy, because it helps relieve stress AND menstrual cramps.

#3.) A Sore Jaw. It could be a sign you're grinding your teeth at night, which is often brought on by stress.
If you DO grind your teeth, ask your dentist about trying a nighttime mouth guard. It might make you look like an extra from "Revenge of the Nerds" . . . but mouth guards reduce grinding, or stop it completely, in 70% of patients who use them.

#4.) Bleeding Gums When You Brush Your Teeth. Brazilian researchers analyzed 14 studies, and found that stressed-out people have a higher risk of developing gum disease. They think that the hormone cortisol . . . which your body produces when you're feeling stressed . . . might impair your immune system and allow bacteria to invade your gums.

#5.) Itchy Skin. A recent Japanese study of more than 2,000 people found that the ones with chronic itch were twice as likely to be stressed out. Obviously the itching itself caused some of the stress, but the researchers think that feeling anxious also aggravates conditions like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

#6.) Bad Allergies. Some researchers think that stress hormones stimulate the production of a certain blood protein that causes allergic reactions. And a 2008 study at Ohio State University found that allergy sufferers had more symptoms after they took a test that was designed to stress them out.

#7.) Stomach Aches. In a study of over 1,900 men and women, the ones with the highest stress levels were more than three times as likely to have abdominal pain.
Doctors aren't sure why, but one theory is that the intestines and the brain share nerve pathways, and when your brain reacts to stress, your intestines follow.
But if you have CHRONIC stomach aches, see your doctor to rule everything else out. You might have an ulcer, food allergies, or irritable bowel syndrome. Or you might be lactose intolerant.
(Prevention.com)



There's a new book out this month called "Man Down" that attempts to prove that women are "BETTER" than men. And each of the 36 chapters details something women do best. Here are four of them.

#1.) Not Dying in a Car Crash. A study at Carnegie Mellon University found that male drivers have a 77% higher risk of dying in a car accident than women do, possibly because men drive more aggressively.
And according to a separate study, men are also more likely to run you over when you're crossing the street.
In New York City over the past five years, 80% of the accidents in which a pedestrian was killed or seriously injured involved a male driver.

#2.) Gambling. According to a study of 40,000 gamblers, women are better at turning a profit because they tend to act more quickly and be more aggressive with their bets.
But here's what's weird: Women are also better at handling finances, because they tend to be more level-headed and focused on saving for the future.

#3.) Working the Room at a Cocktail Party. Women are much better at remembering words, faces, and daily events, which makes it easier to strike up conversations with people they barely know.

#4.) Getting Someone to Reveal a Secret. Some studies have shown that men actually gossip more than women do. And when it comes to getting people to tell them things, women have a few tactical "advantages" . . . Which is also one of the reasons the CIA uses female spies.

(Cosmopolitan.com)



 

Biggest Grocery Store Markups: The Worst Deals in the Aisles
Aaron Crowe

With food prices expected to increase by 3% to 5% this year, grocery stores are going to be forced to pass some of the extra cost on to shoppers.

But what accounts for some of the highest markups in the grocery store aisles now? Perishables. Foods that easily spoil and must be thrown away before they go bad cut deeply into a grocery store's 2.5% profit margin, prompting stores to raise prices, says Timothy Richards, a professor of agribusiness at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. "They've got to have high margins [for these foods] just because of the loss that supermarkets have."

Besides perishables, what are the most overpriced products you'll find in a grocery store? To get the dish, WalletPop spoke with retail experts to find out which grocery store items we're overpaying for the most and how we can save on them.

Produce

Markup: Up to 75%

About 20% of all produce offered in grocery stores is thrown away before it's even sold due to spoilage, resulting in a 50% to 75% markup, Richards says. Niche products, such as berries, which don't have a long shelf life and come from smaller sellers, may have even higher prices.

The fact is, few shoppers want to buy blemished produce, which is why stores dump food that looks less than fresh -- they're trying their best to keep that high-profile area looking good. As Richards says, "If the produce area looks like crap, it's a bad reflection on the entire store."

Bottled Water

Markup: Up to 4,000%

Last year, this was second on our list of the 10 most overpriced products to avoid, with a 4,000% markup. As Jennifer Taggart, who blogs about reducing toxic chemical exposure, points out, most municipalities have good tap water that cost pennies. And other than buying in bulk at a big-box store or buying generic, there aren't many ways to save on bottled water, except for maybe just bottling your own from the tap.

Meat

Markup: Up to 60%

Because meat has a refrigerated shelf life of just five days and must then be thrown out, most meat departments in grocery stores aim for a minimum 30% markup, and often much higher, to make up for losses, says John Smith, a butcher at a grocery store in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Steaks, for instance, are marked up 40% to 50%; some cheaper cuts, such as round and chuck meat, are marked up as much as 60%, Smith says.

Lesser cuts of meat -- those typically used for Swiss or cube steaks or cut into pieces for stir frys or stews that are marked up as much as 300% -- should never be bought at full price because they're always discounted at some point, said Smith, who's been a butcher since 1974 and is the author of the book Confessions of a Butcher.

"You should never buy anything that's been cut into small pieces," Smith says. "You should always buy the big piece." Some bigger cut of meat will always be on sale, and shoppers can ask the butcher to cut it into small pieces for free, he says.

Cereal

Markup: Average of 44%

One of the most basic cereals, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, had the highest average retail markup of 43.5%, according to a 2007 story from the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. At the low end was Ralston Cookie Crisp cereal, with an average 18.2% markup.


Prepared Foods

Markup: 40%

Prepared foods are so expensive because of the labor and kitchen space it takes to prepare them, according to Amanda Yates, who works for Foodonthetable.com, a website that integrates family food preferences with the sale items at local grocery stores. Instead of buying pre-made salads or seasoned salmon steaks, make them at home for one-third the cost, Yates suggests. WalletPop also found that most pre-cut fruits and vegetables have a 40% markup at grocery stores.

Canned Goods

Markup: 26%

Non-perishables such as soup are more than twice as expensive without a sale, according to information from AnyLeaf. The site found a Chunky brand soup at Safeway originally priced at $2.70 later on sale for just $1.25. A 26% markup is set low enough to entice shoppers.




AA Batteries

Markup: 70%

Because batteries are one of those items that are often bought at the last minute, stores keep the prices high to take advantage of your desperation. Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings expert affiliated with The Frugals, a family of money-saving websites such as FreeShipping.org, found that buying batteries in bulk at Costco can drop the price to 36 cents per battery. The Giant grocery store sold the same batteries for $1.12 per battery -- a difference of nearly 70%.

Pre-Ground Coffee

Markup: Up to 30%

This is another item that Woroch found to be up to 30% more per pound than the large coffee cans at big box stores. Coupons can drive the price down even more.

Antipasto Bar

Markup: Up to 100%

The olives, pickles, roasted red peppers and other such treats in center aisles certainly look appetizing, but they cost more per ounce than if you bought them in jars -- and they can be marked up by as much as 100%.

Foodonthetable.com's Yates found dolmas for $5 a pound in a grocery store, compared with $8.99 to $9.99 a pound at the antipasto bar.

Gourmet Cheese

Markup: 50%

You'll spend 50% more by buying this in the deli section of the grocery store as opposed to the dairy section. Stephanie Nelson of CouponMom.com recommends bypassing the deli and heading straight to the dairy section, where you'll often find the same varieties of cheese. Blue cheese that's $16 a pound in the deli section is often $6 in the dairy section, Nelson says.

Bakery

Markup: 100%

This is another prime area where you're paying for convenience. A 100% markup at a store bakery is common, Richards says. A $20 supermarket cake can be made from scratch or out of a box at home for just $5, Yates says. Bread can also be baked inexpensively at home.


Name-Brand Spices

Markup: 97%

Looking to save on purchases for your spice rack? Try shopping at a natural food store. Nelson says buying spices at a natural food store can save you up to 97% on the basic spices people buy regularly. For instance, a $3.52 jar of bay leaves at the grocery store will cost you only 12 cents for the same amount at a natural foods store, she says. Drugstores and discount stores also sell spices cheaper than at a grocery store. Another tip: Buy your spices from the "ethnic" aisles or better yet, in the ethnic markets.

Magazines

Markup: 90%

Paying the cover price of an individually-priced magazine is a ripoff no matter where you buy it. But at the supermarket, it's another impulse buy at the checkout counter -- and priced accordingly -- to tempt you into spending more money. Discounted subscriptions, Nelson says, can save you as much as 90%.

Want other ways to save at the grocery store? A little creative thinking can help you find a way to get the products you need for less: look for items on sale, stay away from prepared foods and start cooking more from scratch at home, and always clip coupons.

"Almost everything in the [grocery] store is priced at 'twice' what you would pay for that item if you just bought it when it went on sale," says Jeff Hunter, co-founder of AnyLeaf, in an email exchange with WalletPop.

Stocking up on non-perishable items when they're on sale is the easiest way to save, Hunter suggests, especially if you plan ahead. Seasonal items often go on sale as the holiday approaches, such as stuffing that gets discounted the closer it gets to Thanksgiving. Planning ahead and buying as the price dips can help smart shoppers avoid impulse buys or buying things when they need them right away, Hunter says.

Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.

(Wallet Pop)



Food that Improves Your Looks

If you feel like you look five years older than you should, and it's making you self-conscious, here are five foods that can improve your looks.

#1.) Spinach. It contains carotenoids, which make the whites of your eyes whiter. Visine can damage your eyes if you use it too much, because it works by constricting their blood vessels.

So after you go on a bender this weekend, eat spinach instead.

#2.) Eggs. They're high in iron, which helps prevent hair loss . . . so your head won't LOOK like an egg. (--HI-YO!) And the sulfur in eggs naturally makes your hair softer.

#3.) Bananas. Smoking and getting too much sun are two of the worst things you can do for your skin, because both of them make your skin less elastic . . . which makes you look older than you are.
But the potassium in bananas does the opposite. And having enough of it in your diet can do more for your skin than a lot of lotions and anti-aging products.

#4.) Beets. Beetroot contains something called betaine (--BEE-tah-een), which helps your body break down fat. So eating beets can improve your looks by helping you lose weight.
But if you start eating A LOT of beets, be prepared for one significant side effect: Dwight on "The Office" lives on a beet farm and always talks about how many he eats. And if he's telling the truth . . . his urine is bright red.

#5.) Guava. They're high in antioxidants, which counteract the free radicals in your body that cause skin damage. And they also have five times more vitamin C than an orange, which helps your body create collagen.
Collagen is the same stuff women have injected into their lips to make them look fuller, but it's also in your skin. And adding more makes your skin look younger.
If you don't like the taste of guava, you don't have to eat it: Just squish it up, rub it on your skin, and wait a few minutes. Then take a shower . . . because you'll be covered in fruit, you nasty freak.
(AskMen.com)



This list probably won't save you any money, but it'll help you understand some of the small ways companies get away with overcharging us. Here are five subtle ways you're getting ripped off at the grocery store.

#1.) Sneaky Packaging Tricks. Look at the bottom of basically any jar of peanut butter, and you'll notice that it isn't flat, it curves in. And they do it for one reason: So they can get away with cheating you out of 2 ounces of peanut butter.

Other companies do the same thing: Toilet paper still has the same number of sheets per roll, but the sheets are getting shorter and thinner.
And the same goes with cereal boxes. They're the same height and width, but the boxes are getting skinnier.

#2.) Bags That Are Half Full of Chips . . . And Half Full of Air. This one probably qualifies as a "sneaky packaging tip", but it's so outrageous it gets its own spot on the list.

If you've bought a bag of Ruffles in the last ten years, you know that half the bag is actually filled with air. And in the food industry, there's a term for it: It's called "slack fill".

The FDA allows "slack fill" because if there was NO air, the chips would get crushed during shipping. But a lot of companies slack fill their bags way too much so customers think they're buying more than they really are.

#3.) Charging More for High SPF Sun Block. SPF 5 and SPF 50 both cost the same to manufacture. But companies assume that if people see a higher number on the bottle, they'll be willing to pay more. And they're right.

#4.) Injecting Meat With Broth. It sounds gross, but companies do it to add flavor and make the meat juicier. At least that's what they SAY the reason is.

The REAL reason is because broth is basically just water and salt, so it's cheap. But it makes the meat weigh more, which also makes it COST more. And according to Consumer Reports, some brands of packaged chicken are up to 30% broth.

#5.) Expiration Dates. People assume that expiration dates are regulated by the government to keep us from getting sick. But that's not true. The federal government has nothing to do with expiration dates.

It's the manufacturers who decide what they should be. And companies figured out a long time ago that when things like dairy products pass their expiration date, people freak out and throw them away . . . then go out and buy more.

(Cracked.com)