Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Three Examples of Conventional Wisdom You Don't Have to Follow Anymore:

According to a new article from Fox Business, a lot of the "sound advice" you got from your parents isn't what it's cracked up to be. Here are three examples of conventional wisdom you shouldn't follow anymore.


#1.) Change Your Oil Every 3,000 Miles. You might already know this one, and it USED to be good advice. But now car engines are better than they used to be, and so is the quality of the oil. So a lot of experts say it's really somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 miles for newer models. But mechanics keep telling people 3,000 so they can make more money.

#2.) A Higher Thread Count Equals Better Sheets. When you buy sheets, it usually says the thread count on the front. And high thread count sheets are always more expensive. But it turns out low thread count sheets come with a few benefits. First, they're lighter, so they don't take as long to dry after you wash them. And your dryer is one of the most expensive appliances in your home. But the main advantage is, low thread count sheets are better for your skin. A high thread count might FEEL better, but they don't breathe as much. Sheets should help keep you warm, but also let air circulate to keep your skin healthy.

#3.) Running Your Ceiling Fan in Reverse During the Winter Will Help Keep the Room Warm. If you have high ceilings, it doesn't do much because it can't push the heat down far enough for you to feel it. And if you have low ceilings, the air current offsets any of the heating benefits. So in other words, if you run your ceiling fans in reverse this winter, you're just wasting electricity.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Three Laws You Might Be Breaking Without Even Knowing It:

If you think you're a law-abiding citizen, check out this list from Cracked.  It's three laws you might be breaking without even knowing it.

#1.) Connecting to an Unsecure Wi-Fi Network. It was illegal before you even knew the Internet EXISTED. Congress passed the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in 1986, and made it a FEDERAL CRIME to gain unauthorized access to a computer or a website. And they specifically included wireless routers too. They just don't enforce it. But in at least four documented cases . . . in Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and Alaska . . . people HAVE been arrested for using someone else's Internet.

#2.) Singing "Happy Birthday To You" in Public. You've probably heard it's copyrighted . . . which is why you almost never hear it in movies or TV shows. But technically, ANYONE can get sued for copyright infringement if they sing it in a public place where, quote, "a substantial number of persons" can hear it . . . not counting your friends and family singing with you.  In fact, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers once told the Girl Scouts of America that if they wanted to keep singing it at birthday parties, they'd have to pay ROYALTIES. They ended up backing off though . . . because suing the Girl Scouts would've made them look downright evil. The song was originally copyrighted by a publishing company in 1935, but Time Warner owns it now. And they make about $2 million dollars off it every year.

#3.) Playing Fantasy Football with Your Friends. But only if there's A LOT of money at stake. According to the Illegal Gambling Act of 1970, any betting that violates state or local law and involves five or more people is technically an illegal gambling ring. But only if $2,000 or more exchanges hands in one day. So that means if you win your high-stakes fantasy football league this year and get a big check in the mail, you could technically get up to TEN YEARS in prison.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Three Things You Never Think to Clean, but Should:

You've heard how dirty your keyboard at work is, right? The average work desk has about 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. And that's really gross considering that 83% of Americans eat at their desks. Here are three more things you never think to clean, but probably should.


#1.) Your Phone. Your cell phone or your home phone can make you sick. Cell phones get covered in bacteria because we take them with us everywhere, and use them without washing our hands.  Home phones collect bacteria because usually, more than one person is using it. Work phones are a little safer if you're the only one using it.


#2.) Your Dishwasher. The hot water kills the bacteria INSIDE the dishwasher. But the edges of the DOOR are a breading ground for mold and mildew. And it happens on the rubber cushioning of your refrigerator door too.


#3.) Your Indoor Garbage Cans. Even with a bag, the inside of trash cans can accumulate germs and bacteria. So every few times you take out the trash, scrub the inside of the can too.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Seven of the Healthiest Ways to Spend a Dollar at the Grocery Store:

According to an article on DivineCaroline.com, the easiest way to shop cheap and healthy at the grocery store is to spend as little time in the aisles as possible. That's because things like fruits, vegetables, milk, and grains are usually in the outermost sections of the store.  And the aisles in the middle of the store are mostly filled with processed food that's more expensive. Here's a list of the seven healthiest ways to spend a dollar at the supermarket.


 #1.)  A Week's Worth of Oats.  They're high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.  And if you have high cholesterol, oatmeal can lower it.

#2.)  A Half-Dozen Eggs.  They're one of the cheapest sources of protein you can find.  And research shows that the antioxidants in eggs can help prevent age-related issues with your eyesight.

 
#3.)  Five Bananas.  They're high in potassium and fiber, and they cost as little as 20 cents each.  So for a dollar a week, you can have a banana at work every single day.  That's the same price as one bag of chips from the vending machine.

#4.)  A Can of Garbanzo Beans.  Unless they're refried, basically ANY kind of beans are good for you because they have protein and fiber.  But garbanzo beans are also high in iron, folate, manganese, and might lower cholesterol too.


#5.)  Spinach.  You can get a big bushel of it for around a buck, and it's high in vitamin C, iron, and calcium.


#6.)  Yogurt.  A single-serving of yogurt costs about a dollar, and it's rich in protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.


#7.)  Coffee.  It's loaded with antioxidants that can help prevent heart disease and cancer.  And if you make it at home, it's WAY less than a dollar a cup.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Rolling in the End

 Somehow, this finds a way to make sense. Someone put together Linkin Park's "In the End" and Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" to create a mashup called "Rolling in the End"  Check it out here:



Five Headache Triggers and How to Treat Them:


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 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.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

At a Loss for Words? This site can help:

Losing a loved one can be difficult . . . because other people may not know what to say to you without sounding dumb.  But now there’s a website that  gives advice on how you can express the right level of sensitivity while writing a sympathy note or offering condolences.  It offers tips in special situations like a friend just diagnosed with cancer, someone who loses an estranged parent, or writing a sympathy note when you never met the deceased person.  Here's the site: WordsThatComfort.com

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Whitney's Kid Sings Adele


Whitney Houston's daughter Bobbi Kristina made a video of herself singing Adele's "Someone Like You" She doesn't have her Mamma's pipes, but it's not that bad for a kid:

The Five Main Reasons We All Gain Weight This Time of Year

People always start gaining weight this time of year, so DR. OZ put out a list of the five main reasons it happens . . . and what you can do about it. Here they are.


#1.) Not Enough Water. When it's hot out, we drink a lot without even thinking about it. But once it starts to cool down, we drink less. And the more water you drink, the less likely you are to snack. Maybe you've heard this before, but Dr. Oz thinks it's worth repeating: In one study, dieters who drank two eight-ounce glasses of water 20 to 30 minutes before each meal lost 40% more weight.

#2.) Less Time Outdoors. It's unavoidable once the days get shorter and the temperature drops. So you have to do more INDOOR activities . . . like going to the gym, or playing basketball at an indoor court.  Dr. Oz also suggests buying a pedometer . . . which measures how many steps you take in a day . . . so you'll know exactly how much you're moving.
#3.) Comfort Foods. You're more likely to eat baked goods, simply because more people start baking this time of year. And when you eat too much fat and sugar, it tricks your brain into thinking you still need food. Plus, instead of grilling on the barbecue . . . which is a fairly healthy way to cook . . . you eat more things like casserole and mashed potatoes.


#4.) Snacking on Junk Food. This one kind of goes hand-in-hand with "Comfort Foods," but it's different because it has a lot to do with one specific holiday: Halloween. It's only a month-and-a-half away, which means pretty soon everyone will have little bowls of bite-sized candy sitting around.  So pay attention to what you're eating between meals. And instead of candy, eat more healthy snacks, like apples and carrots.

#5.) Too Much Alcohol. It depends on what you're drinking, but every ounce-and-a-half of alcohol generally equals about 90 calories. So a few drinks can easily derail a diet. Dr. Oz says that if you're really serious about keeping your summer body, you should avoid alcohol COMPLETELY, and just drink water.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Here are Six Things You Probably Didn't Know About 9/11:



#1.)  20 people were pulled out alive from the rubble of the World Trade Center.  That included two policemen who were buried for close to 21 hours, and a woman from the 64th floor of one tower who was buried for 27 hours.

#2.)  The British lost the second highest number of people.  More than EIGHTY nationalities lost at least one life that day.  372 non-Americans were murdered, including 67 Brits.

#3.)  The fire lasted for 99 days.  The World Trade Center fire wasn't extinguished completely until December 19th . . . a full 99 days after the attacks.


#4.)  A third skyscraper fell.  A 47-story building, World Trade Center Building 7, ALSO fell . . . late in the afternoon on 9/11.  It wasn't hit by a plane . . . the fires and collapse of the other towers made it fall.



#5.)  One company lost two-thirds of its employees.  A financial services firm called Cantor Fitzgerald saw 658 of its 960 employees die on 9/11.  Ten years later, the firm has donated more than $180 MILLION to those employees' families.



#6.)  The steel from the WTC was sold.  About 185,101 tons of steel were left in the aftermath of the World Trade Center.  Much of it has been sold to China and India . . . the rest has been used for memorials.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Three Ways to Live as Long as the Japanese:

Americans aren't exactly the healthiest people on Earth: When it comes to average life expectancy, the U.S. ranked 50th out of 221 countries in a study done by the CIA. The average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78 years old, and the Japanese have the HIGHEST life expectancy of any country at 86. That's eight more years, on average. Here's a list from "Men's Health" of three things the Japanese do that could lengthen YOUR life.

#1.) Go to the Doctor. You're supposed to go for at least a check-up once a year. But a lot of Americans don't go until something's wrong. In Japan, they go more often because they HAVE to. If you're between the ages of 40 and 74, annual checkups are MANDATORY.

#2.) Control Your Portion Sizes. The Japanese eat a lot more fish than we do, which is one reason they live longer. But across the board, they eat smaller portions. Maybe you've heard this, but one way to cut down on how much you eat is to use smaller plates, bowls, and utensils. In a study at Cornell University, people who ate ice cream from bigger bowls with bigger spoons ate an average of 57% more.

#3.) Eat More Vegetables. You've probably heard this one your whole life too, and STILL don't eat enough. But this might show you how important it is: According to research, people in Japan can easily have four or five different vegetables in one meal. And about 60% of Japanese people eat veggies with EVERY meal. That adds up to five or six servings a day. But according to the Center for Disease Control, Americans struggle to eat the bare minimum of THREE servings. Only about 26% of us manage to do it.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Three Steps to Train Yourself to Become a Morning Person:

According to a new article in "Reader's Digest", you can TRAIN yourself to be a morning person. The key things you need to do are kind of obvious, but they're also pretty easy. For example, making sure you eat breakfast is one of them. But not just ANY breakfast. You're supposed to load up on things that are high in fiber . . . like oatmeal . . . and things that are high in protein . . . like eggs. Here are three more simple things you can do to turn yourself into a morning person.


#1.) Don't Stay Up Past Your Bedtime. Obviously, you'll be tired in the morning if you don't get enough sleep. But just getting the recommended seven to eight hours won't make you a morning person. You also have to go to bed at roughly the same time every night, so you don't mess with your body's internal clock. If you go to bed at the same time every night . . . for enough nights in a row . . . you'll start waking up feeling refreshed instead of tired.


#2.) Let More Sunlight Into Your Bedroom. A lot of people sleep with their window blinds down to keep the room dark. But when your room is pitch black, your body thinks it's still the middle of the night.  So even if you get enough sleep, you'll be groggy when your alarm clock goes off. Opening up the window blinds will let more light in the room, which will help you wake up gradually. If you CAN'T get more sunlight in your room, they make special alarm clocks now that wake you up with ARTIFICIAL sunlight. You can get one for around $125.


#3.) Get Some Early Exercise. If you're not a morning person, then you probably won't be willing to hit the gym before work. But the good news is, you don't have to. Even a quick walk or a few push-ups can help get you going. Just don't go nuts, because several studies have shown that you're also more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack early in the morning.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Four Beneficial Activities They Don't Let Kids Do in School:

Most teachers want the best for their students. But some of the policies that schools have can actually be detrimental to your child's education. Here's a list from Cracked.com of four beneficial activities they don't let kids do in school.



#1.) Texting. Kids can learn bad grammar from texting, because there's no pressure to use punctuation, or even full words. But despite that fact, research has shown that texting actually IMPROVES language skills. Basically, the better you are at texting, the better you are at writing. And the earlier you start, the better.


#2.) No Chewing Gum. Teachers can't stand it when kids snap their gum. But CHEWING gum could actually result in better grades. It's been shown to help you focus, and it relieves tension. The military even uses it to keep soldiers alert.

#3.) No Fidgeting. Studies have shown that fidgeting at your desk can burn up to 350 extra calories a day . . . which is the equivalent of a 30-minute jog.


#4.) No Doodling. Teachers think that if a kid is drawing in his notebook, he's not paying attention. But the exact opposite might be true. According to researchers, doodling keeps your brain active and keeps you more alert.  And if you DON'T doodle, you're more likely to get bored and lose interest in what the teacher is saying.

The Month You're Born in Makes a Huge Impact on Your Future Career:

This sounds like some mix of astrology, superstition, and an old wives' tale . . . but apparently there's actual data to back it up.  A new study out of England found that the MONTH when someone is born makes a big impact on their future career. It's hard to figure out the science behind it . . . there are theories about things like the amount of sunlight pregnant women are exposed to, or the allergies children are more prone to in different seasons. But no one's really sure. All they know is that data has shown people born in certain months end up in certain careers more often. Here are the findings . . .

JANUARY. Lots of doctors and debt collectors, fewer real estate agents.

FEBRUARY. Lots of artists and traffic cops, fewer physicists. Also, people born in February are most prone to narcolepsy. (???)

MARCH. Lots of pilots and musicians.


APRIL. The only career that's overrepresented in April over time is . . . dictators. People born in April are also more likely to have lower-than-average IQs, and more health problems.


MAY. Lots of politicians, fewer pro athletes.


JUNE. Lots of CEOs. Also high on Nobel Prize winners.


JULY. Lots of manual laborers and artists.

AUGUST. Lots of manual laborers and high-ranking politicians.


SEPTEMBER. Lots of people in academia and sports.

OCTOBER. Lots of politicians. People in October are also most likely to live the longest.


NOVEMBER. Lots of serial killers. Also, people born in November are most prone to bipolar disorder.


DECEMBER. Lots of dentists. Also lots of religious and secular MESSIAHS . . . everyone from JESUS . . . to STALIN and MAO.