Three Common Nutrition Mistakes Parents Make:

Most kids are back to school, so here's a list to help make sure they head back healthy. You've probably heard one or two of these before, but here are three common nutrition mistakes that some parents make every day.

#1.) Too Many High-Calorie Drinks. One can of Coke has 155 calories. And if a young child has two, that's almost one fourth of the calories they're supposed to have in a whole day. And juice isn't much better. The three drinks you SHOULD give your kids on a regular basis are water, milk, and unsweetened tea.

#2.) Letting Your Kids Eat Snacks Instead of Meals. Some parents let their kids snack all day . . . then wonder why they're not hungry at dinner Snacks that are high in fiber are good . . . like fruit, carrots, and nuts . . . because they give kids a boost of energy, without all the empty calories. The problem is, most of the snacks they sell in the chip aisle are FULL of empty calories.

#3.) Portion Sizes. If you've ever read a food label, you know that the standard for adults is 2,000 calories a day. As you'd expect, small kids don't need that many. But some teenagers actually need MORE. Preschoolers need about 1,000 calories a day. Elementary school kids need 1,400. And high schoolers need between 1,600 and 2,500, depending on how active they are.

Five Things That Seem Good for Your Body . . . But Aren't:

Eating right and exercising are obviously the two most important things you can do for your health. But some things that SEEM good for your body, can actually be bad. Here are five of them, according to the magazine "Women's Day".

#1.) Constantly Trying New Skincare Products. Dermatologists suggest picking a routine and sticking with it. It can be weeks or even months before you see results with some products. So don't give up to soon. Constantly changing skin products can actually irritate your skin, and cause adult rosacea . . . which is when your skin gets red and patchy.

#2.) Wearing Flip-Flops. It's fine every now and then. But wearing something with no arch support can cause back problems, knee problems, and stress fractures in your feet. And flip-flops make certain muscles in your feet work harder than they should, which can lead to tendonitis. Plus, it exposes your feet to more bacteria and skin diseases, like plantar warts and athlete's foot.

#3.) Only Drinking Bottled Water. It might taste better than tap, but tap water in most areas has fluoride in it to help protect your teeth. Bottled water doesn't, and some dentists think it's causing more tooth decay in adults. The best thing to do is use a Brita, which filters all the impurities out of the tap water . . . but not the fluoride.

#4.) Using Extra-Strength Cleaning Products. Some people think that if a product is stronger, they don't have to clean as often. But the best way to avoid bacteria is to use NORMAL cleaning products, and just clean more often. A lot of the industrial-strength cleaners are just overkill. And some contain chemicals that have been shown to cause asthma, and even cancer.

#5.) Taking Extra Supplements. Your body only needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals a day. If you get more than you need, it usually doesn't matter. But it might if you're CONSTANTLY popping vitamins. For pregnant women, too much vitamin A can be toxic for the baby. And too much vitamin C can interfere with glucose readings for diabetics. Too much vitamin B6 for ANYONE can cause nerve damage.

Four Signs You're in at Least Decent Health:

The other day I gave you a list from Dr. Oz of "Three Weird Ways Your Body Can Tell You Something's Wrong." Now, here's something to put your mind at ease: It's a list of four signs you're in relatively GOOD health.

#1.)When You Empty Your Bladder, It's Fairly Clear. It should be a pale yellow color, and you should be using the bathroom a few times a day. It's a sign that you're properly hydrated, and your kidneys are healthy. If it's cloudy, dark, or BRIGHT yellow, it's a sign you're dehydrated. And if it's clear, it means you're TOO hydrated, which isn't a big deal. But when you are, your body doesn't absorb enough salts and electrolytes.

#2.) Your Cuts Heal Fairly Quickly. It means your blood is clotting normally, your white blood cells are carrying away bacteria like they should, and your blood vessels are healthy. If you bruise easily or it takes weeks for a cut to heal, it could be a sign of liver disease, a bone marrow disorder, or hemophilia which is when your blood doesn't clot right. But don't freak out. Bruising easily can also be caused by medication, or just the fact that you're getting older. Because as you age, the smallest type of blood vessels in your body . . . your capillaries . . . become more prone to rupture. And your skin also gets thinner, which doesn't help.

#3.) Healthy Hair and Nails. When you have a vitamin deficiency, your hair and fingernails are usually where it shows up first. For example, if your nails curve UP, it means you might not be getting enough iron or zinc. And if they curve DOWN, you might not be getting enough B-12. If it's a SERIOUS vitamin deficiency, it can also make your hair start falling out in clumps. But if your hair is just frizzy, or you have split ends, don't worry.

#4.) You Sleep Through the Night. A lot of people don't get the recommended seven hours every night. But as long as you sleep SOUNDLY and don't wake up sweating or needing to use the bathroom twice a night, you're probably fine. If you regularly sleep through the night, it means you're most likely hitting all the stages of sleep you need to in order to stay healthy. And OCCASIONAL insomnia is considered normal. The one thing you DO still have to worry about is snoring, because it could be a sign of sleep apnea, which prevents your blood from getting enough oxygen. If you get enough sleep, you SHOULD wake up feeling somewhat refreshed. But people with sleep apnea wake up feeling exhausted every morning.

Five Crazy Ways Your Brain Can Malfunction:

If you're not feeling on top of your game, just be thankful you don't have one of these crazy disorders. Here's a list from Cracked of five weird ways your brain can malfunction.

#1.) Fregoli Syndrome. People with severe cases think everyone they meet is the same person. And as you'd imagine, they're also usually paranoid, because they constantly think someone's stalking them or playing a trick. Fregoli syndrome also pairs up with other disorders: For example, one woman who suffered from it also suffered from something called erotomania (er-ah-tah-MAY-nia) the belief that someone's in love with you when they aren't. She thought Erik Estrada from "CHiPs" was madly in love with her and communicated with her telepathically. And she thought EVERYONE was Erik Estrada.

#2.) Visual Agnosia. It's when the image-processing part of your brain shorts out, and you can't identify things for what they are anymore. So, you look at an orange and think it's an elephant. In one case, a man with visual agnosia sat down for an interview with a neurologist. And at the end of the interview, he thought his wife's head was his HAT and tried to put it on. The neurologist ended up writing a book about him called "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat".

#3.) Mirrored-Self Misidentification. It's when there's a breakdown in the part of your brain that understands how reflections work. So when you look in the mirror, you think you're looking at a stranger in a window. It's extremely rare, but it's most common in Alzheimer's patients.

#4.) Anosognosia. (Ano-sog-NO-zee-uh) It's when someone who's paralyzed genuinely believes they're NOT. And they make up excuses for why they can't move. It sounds crazy, but it's actually common in stroke patients. According to several studies, over half of people with stroke-induced paralysis on one side of their body suffer from at least a mild form of it while they're recovering. And it's not because they're just stubborn and won't admit they're disabled. It's because the area of the brain that controls body perception is damaged.

#5.) Somatoparaphrenia. (So-muh-tuh-pahr-uh-FREE-nee-uh) It's when there's damage to the part of your brain that knows the map of your body. So you think that one of your limbs . . . like an arm or a foot . . . is someone else's. In one case, a man denied ownership of an arm AND a foot. He didn't know whose foot it was, but for some reason he thought the arm belonged to a woman he knew named Maria. Some people who suffer from it even try to have their limbs REMOVED.

75 Reasons Why I Feel SUPER Old Today

It's that time of year again, where we all get to feel OLD. This year's incoming college freshmen, the class of 2015, were mostly born in 1993. Which means:

1. There has always been an Internet ramp onto the information highway.

2. Ferris Bueller and Sloane Peterson could be their parents.

3. States and Velcro parents have always been requiring that they wear their bike helmets.

4. The only significant labor disputes in their lifetimes have been in major league sports.

5. There have always been at least two women on the Supreme Court, and women have always commanded U.S. Navy ships.

6. They “swipe” cards, not merchandise.

7. As they’ve grown up on websites and cell phones, adult experts have constantly fretted about their alleged deficits of empathy and concentration.

8. Their school’s “blackboards” have always been getting smarter.

9. “Don’t touch that dial!”….what dial?

10. American tax forms have always been available in Spanish.

11. More Americans have always traveled to Latin America than to Europe.

12. Amazon has never been just a river in South America.

13. Refer to LBJ, and they might assume you're talking about LeBron James.

14. All their lives, Whitney Houston has always been declaring “I Will Always Love You.”

15. O.J. Simpson has always been looking for the killers of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

16. Women have never been too old to have children.

17. Japan has always been importing rice.

18. Jim Carrey has always been bigger than a pet detective.

19. We have never asked, and they have never had to tell.

20. Life has always been like a box of chocolates.

21. They’ve always gone to school with Mohammed and Jesus.

22. John Wayne Bobbitt has always slept with one eye open.

23. There has never been an official Communist Party in Russia.

24. “Yadda, yadda, yadda” has always come in handy to make long stories short.

25. Video games have always had ratings.

26. Chicken soup has always been soul food.

27. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has always been available on TV.

28. Jimmy Carter has always been a smiling elderly man who shows up on TV to promote fair elections and disaster relief.

29. Arnold Palmer has always been a drink.

30. Dial-up is soooooooooo last century!

31. Women have always been kissing women on television.

32. Their older siblings have told them about the days when Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera were Mouseketeers.

33. Faux Christmas trees have always outsold real ones.

34. They’ve always been able to dismiss boring old ideas with “been there, done that, gotten the T-shirt.”

35. The bloody conflict between the government and a religious cult has always made Waco sound a little whacko.

36. Unlike their older siblings, they spent bedtime on their backs until they learned to roll over.

37. Music has always been available via free downloads.

38. Grown-ups have always been arguing about health care policy.

39. Moderate amounts of red wine and baby aspirin have always been thought good for the heart.

40. Sears has never sold anything out of a Big Book that could also serve as a doorstop.

41. The United States has always been shedding fur.

42. Electric cars have always been humming in relative silence on the road.

43. No longer known for just gambling and quickie divorces, Nevada has always been one of the fastest growing states in the Union.

44. They’re the first generation to grow up hearing about the dangerous overuse of antibiotics.

45. They pressured their parents to take them to Taco Bell or Burger King to get free pogs.

46. Russian courts have always had juries.

47. No state has ever failed to observe Martin Luther King Day.

48. While they’ve been playing outside, their parents have always worried about nasty new bugs borne by birds and mosquitoes.

49. Public schools have always made space available for advertising.

50. Some of them have been inspired to actually cook by watching the Food Channel.

51. Fidel Castro’s daughter and granddaughter have always lived in the United States.

52. Their parents have always been able to create a will and other legal documents online.

53. Charter schools have always been an alternative.

54. They’ve grown up with George Stephanopoulos as the Dick Clark of political analysts.

55. New kids have always been known as NKOTB.

56. They’ve always wanted to be like Shaq or Kobe: Michael Who?

57. They’ve often broken up with their significant others via texting, Facebook, or MySpace.

58. Their parents sort of remember Woolworths as this store that used to be downtown.

59. Kim Jong-il has always been bluffing, but the West has always had to take him seriously.

60. Frasier, Sam, Woody and Rebecca have never Cheerfully frequented a bar in Boston during
primetime.

61. Major League Baseball has never had fewer than three divisions and never lacked a wild card entry in the playoffs.

62. Nurses have always been in short supply.

63. They won’t go near a retailer that lacks a website.

64. Altar girls have never been a big deal.

65. When they were 3, their parents may have battled other parents in toy stores to buy them a Tickle Me Elmo while they lasted.

66. It seems the United States has always been looking for an acceptable means of capital execution.

67. Folks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have always been able to energize with Pepsi Cola.

68. Andy Warhol is a museum in Pittsburgh.

69. They’ve grown up hearing about suspiciously vanishing frogs.

70. They’ve always had the privilege of talking with a chatterbot.

71. Refugees and prisoners have always been housed by the U.S. government at Guantanamo.

72. Women have always been Venusians; men, Martians.

73. McDonalds coffee has always been just a little too hot to handle.

74. “PC” has come to mean Personal Computer, not Political Correctness.

75. The New York Times and the Boston Globe have never been rival newspapers.

Three Weird Ways Your Body Can Tell You Something's Wrong:

DR. OZ has a new article on the Oprah website about weird ways your body can tell you something's wrong. Here are the top three. All of them are things you look at every day, but might not think about.

#1.) Your Eyebrows Aren't as Long as They Used to Be. The end of each eyebrow should go past the outside corner of your eye. If they don't, it's a sign your thyroid might not be working right. Other symptoms of thyroid disorder include weight gain, fatigue, and constipation. But it's easily treated with medication.

#2.) Long Ring Fingers. For woman, it means you might have a higher risk of developing arthritis. According to a 2008 study, women with ring fingers that are longer than their index fingers are twice as likely to deal with it on some level.

#3.) Yellow Nails. Assuming they're not just DIRTY, it can mean a few things: It might mean you have some sort of infection. But if you're fatigued and feel the need to drink a lot of water, it could be a sign of diabetes. Your doctor can do a diabetes test to find out for sure.

The Five Weirdest Things That Influence How Your Food Tastes:

There's a new article on Cracked about the five weirdest things that influence how your food tastes. Check 'em out . . .

#1.) Color. Studies have shown that the color of a drink influences how sweet, sour, or bitter you think it is. Green makes it seem sweeter, and yellow makes it seem less sweet. But it's not just the color of the drink that matters. The color of the GLASS also has an effect. One study showed that if you serve coffee in a yellow or red cup, people will perceive it as being hotter than if it's in a blue or green cup. But the best example was mentioned in the book "Fast Food Nation". In the 1970's, scientists put people in a special room and gave them what LOOKED like a normal dinner consisting of steak, French fries, and peas. But they used special lighting to hide the fact that steak was died blue, the fries were green, and the peas were red. The volunteers had no problem eating the food when it looked normal. But when they found out they'd just eaten a blue steak, they got sick.

#2.) Your Mood. In a 1998 study, researchers asked people to rate how sweet an artificial sweetener was. Then they had them rate it again . . . after making them try to solve unsolvable puzzles, and randomly blasting them with loud horn sounds. After they were annoyed, the volunteers rated the artificial sweetener as LESS sweet . . . even though it was the exact same thing.

#3.) Background Noise. Basically, if it's too loud, your senses get overloaded and your brain loses the ability to gauge how sweet or salty your food is. That's why the music at restaurants is pretty quiet. But silence isn't good either. Studies have shown that food tastes best if the music in the restaurant is between 62 and 67 decibels . . . which is about the same level as a normal conversation.

#4.) The Label. Just suggesting that it MIGHT not taste good is apparently enough. For example, in one study people had to try two pieces of lunchmeat: One with a label that said "low-fat," and one that didn't. And even though the one that said "low-fat" WASN'T low-fat, they still said it tasted worse. Another study also found that just adding the word "substance" to a food label made the food taste worse.

#5.) What Your Mom Ate While She Was Pregnant. This one's more of a stretch. But in one study, kids were more likely to enjoy carrot juice . . . or even CRAVE it . . . if their mother drank it while she was pregnant or breastfeeding.

Five Myths About Caffeine:

f you're like me, you have caffeine every single day, in one form or another. But you probably don't know much about it. For example, you probably know that chocolate has caffeine in it, but so do over 60 different plant species. But here are five myths about caffeine you SHOULDN'T believe.

Myth #1. Caffeine Sobers You Up. You probably already know this one too: You can't sober up a drunk friend with coffee. It makes them FEEL more alert, but they'd be just as dangerous behind the wheel. According to Yahoo, college kids who drink alcohol AND caffeine . . . in coffee, soda, or energy drinks . . . are actually MORE likely to cause a car crash.

Myth #2. Caffeine Is Bad for Kids. According to "The Journal of Pediatrics", the average American kid between the ages of five and seven has about 52 milligrams of caffeine per day. That's like one-and-a-half cans of soda. And kids between eight and twelve have about twice that. But according to one study, a little caffeine is fine for kids, and doesn't have any detectable effects on hyperactivity or attention span. Higher doses CAN temporarily make them over-excited, or cause sleep problems, anxiety, and irritability. But it does that to adults too.

Myth #3. Women Who Are Trying to Get Pregnant Should Avoid Caffeine. According to at least two separate studies, moderate consumption of caffeine doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant. But to play it safe, you should limit yourself to about 200 milligrams a day, which is roughly two cups.

Myth #4. Caffeine Increases Your Risk of Developing Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, and Cancer. For most adults, three cups of coffee a day won't cause health problems. But some people are more sensitive, including seniors and people with high blood pressure. There's some research that suggests caffeine slightly increases your risk of osteoporosis, but only in REALLY high amounts . . . like eight cups of coffee a day. And even that much might be fine. Caffeine also doesn't increase your risk of heart disease, raise your cholesterol, or cause irregular heartbeats. And it doesn't cause cancer either. According to an international review of 66 different studies, coffee has little or no effect on your risk of developing pancreatic cancer or kidney cancer. And a study of 59,000 women in Sweden found no connection between caffeine consumption and breast cancer. Sweden drinks more coffee per capita than any other country.

Myth #5. Caffeine Has No Health Benefits. Coffee has antioxidants that can help prevent cancer. And there's also some evidence that caffeine reduces your risk of Parkinson's disease, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. But it's still up for debate.

Four Cover Letter Mistakes That Could Prevent You From Getting an Interview:

People freak out about cover letters, as if one line will make or break their chance of getting a job. But they're really just a formality, and you'd have to have make blatant spelling and grammar mistakes for you cover letter to be a dealbreaker. But in this economy, why take chances: Here are four other things that can actually ruin a good cover letter.

#1.) Don't Make It Too Short or Too Long. According to the president of one staffing firm in New York, it should be somewhere between 200 and 250 words. If it's shorter, you'll look like you didn't try. And if it's longer, they might just skip it. He also says you should highlight one major accomplishment, like saying you increased sales by 50% in a year. He says that if he reads something concrete like that, he'll look at the resume.

#2.) Personal Stories. The major accomplishment you highlight HAS to be work-related. So if you're applying for a job in communications, don't talk about how you ran a half-marathon last year. They won't care. Instead, save it for the interview, so you'll have a good answer if they ask what your hobbies are.

#3.) Don't Criticize the Company You're Applying To. It sounds obvious, but some people submit cover letters with lines like, "Your company looks great. But from your website, I can tell you need help with marketing." You might think it'll make you stand out as someone who can immediately bring something to the company. But in reality, it just makes you look arrogant.

#4.) Jokes. If the person reading it doesn't know you and you don't know their sense of humor chances are the joke won't land. But even if it does, you'll look unprofessional. Jokes are even risky during an interview, because the best-case scenario is, they'll think you're funny which probably won't get you the job. And the worst-case scenario is, they'll think you're an IDIOT which DEFINITELY won't get you the job.

Eight Super-Healthy Foods That Are Also Super-Cheap

One reason people don't eat healthier is because they think healthy food is more expensive. But here's a list from iVillage.com of eight super-healthy foods that are also super-cheap:

#1.) Kale. It has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and omega-3s, and it only costs about 60 cents per serving.

#2.) Low-Fat Milk. An eight-ounce glass has nine essential nutrients, including some that most people don't get enough of, like calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. Non-fat and 1% milk are healthier than 2% and whole, but they cost the same.

#3.) Mangos. One cup has 80% of the vitamin C you need in a day, plus 25% of the vitamin A, 7% of the potassium, and three grams of fiber. And one mango only costs about 50 cents.

#4.) Dried Cranberries. A lot of people drink expensive pomegranate juice for the antioxidants. But dried cranberries have them too, and they're a lot cheaper. One cup costs about 50 cents. Just don't eat too many because they're high in sugar.

#5.) Sweet Potatoes. They have beta-carotene, which is what gives them their orange color, and beta-carotene is good for your skin. Studies have shown that getting enough of it can result in fewer wrinkles, and sweet potatoes only cost about 43 cents per serving.

#6.) Eggs. One hard-boiled egg has about 70 calories and only costs 20 cents. But unless your doctor tells you to, DON'T just eat the egg whites . . . because most of the vitamins are in the yolk. If you're worried about cholesterol, don't eat more than seven eggs a week and you should be fine.

#7.) Pinto Beans. They have protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Plus, they have more antioxidants than almost any other bean. But pinto beans are also the CHEAPEST type of bean. They cost about 13 cents a cup.

#8.) Black Tea. You don't have to buy expensive tea to get the health benefits, because regular black tea has the same flavanoids that protect against free-radicals. And people who drink tea also age better. All for about 5 cents a cup.

Is Your Facebook Profile Hurting Your Dating Potential?

These days, social networking is part of dating. Most of the time it helps you learn about people and stay connected. But sometimes it can INTERFERE. So here are four parts of your Facebook profile you should look at before you meet someone new.

#1.) Your Pictures. Your pictures are the first thing someone looks at when they're checking you out on Facebook. So be selective about the pictures you post or are tagged in. And ladies, stop it with the DUCK FACE.

#2.) Posts About Politics or Religion. Not saying you shouldn't feel free to express your opinions, just be aware that you might isolate part of the dating pool in the process. On the other hand, if someone doesn't like your "Sarah Palin is the Antichrist" status update, you probably wouldn't get along anyway.

#3.) Your Friends and Their Comments. Not only are potential dates going to be looking at what YOU post, they're going to look at your friends' comments too. So if you're a girl who only has guys commenting on your status updates, it might look bad.

#4.) Pages You Like. Just like status updates, the pages you like can reveal a lot about you. So if you've "liked" Mel Gibson's Facebook page, potential dates are going to see that and judge you. (FutureScopes.com)

Six Cooking Mistakes That Can Make You Sick:

Thirty six million pounds of ground turkey were recalled last week because of a salmonella outbreak. But even when there's NOT an outbreak, food-borne illness is a threat. So the editors at "EatingWell Magazine" came up with a list of dangerous mistakes you might be making in the kitchen. Here are the top six.

Mistake #1. Not Checking Your Food When There's a Recall. According to a 2008 survey by Rutgers University, about 40%of Americans don't search their kitchens when food gets recalled. You can find an up-to-date list at Recalls.gov.

Mistake #2. Your Refrigerator Isn't Cold Enough. The temperature inside your fridge can creep up during the summer. So they suggest buying a thermometer to make sure it stays below 40 degrees. The food you keep on the door is the most vulnerable.

Mistake #3. Defrosting Food on the Counter. Two hours is the absolute max, because after the outer layer reaches 40 degrees, bacteria starts multiplying fast. So you should always thaw food in the refrigerator or the microwave.

Mistake #4. Using the Same Cutting Board for Everything. Washing it after you cut meat is usually good enough, but it can still leave bacteria behind. So ideally, you should use one cutting board for meat, and a second one for everything else.

Mistake #5. Not Using a Meat Thermometer. It's the only way to know your meat is DEFINITELY cooked enough. The recommended minimums are 160 degrees for ground beef, 165 degrees for poultry, and 145 degrees for ground beef.

Mistake #6. Eating Cold Leftovers. According to the USDA, all leftovers that used to be hot should be reheated to at least 165 degrees to kill any dangerous bacteria. So in other words . . . stop being lazy, and put your cold pizza in the microwave.

Five Household Chores That Burn Major Calories:

Did you know you can burn about 250 calories an hour from gardening? Well, you can. And here's a list from "Reader's Digest" of five more household chores that burn major calories.

#1.) Cooking. Slaving over a hot stove burns about 150 calories an hour. But obviously, if you do multiple taste-tests while you're cooking, the extra calories you CONSUME can also add up.

#2.) Sweeping or Mopping. They both work your upper and lower body, and each of them burn about 240 calories an hour.

#3.) Painting. Staining your deck or repainting a room works your arms and legs, and if you do it for an hour straight, you'll burn about 290 calories.

#4.) Mowing the Lawn. One hour of mowing burns about 325 calories. But obviously that's only with a push mower, not a riding mower.

#5.) Shoveling Snow. It's probably the last thing you're thinking about right now. But once winter hits, shoveling snow burns about 415 calories an hour.

Five Myths About Eating Healthy:

You've probably heard a few health myths that SOUND true . . . like that fresh fruits and veggies are better than frozen, or that sea salt has less sodium. But just because it SOUNDS true, doesn't mean it is: If frozen produce was picked during the peak of the growing season, it's actually BETTER than fresh. And sea salt has just as much sodium as table salt does people just tend to use LESS sea salt, because it has bigger crystals. Here are five more healthy food myths that either aren't true, or don't tell the whole story.

Myth #1.) 100% Fruit Juice Is Good for You. It's better than juice from concentrate, but it's still loaded with sugar. It's much healthier to eat the whole fruit, which still has sugar but also has the fiber and vitamins that you don't get in juice.

Myth #2.) Gatorade Is Better Than Water After You Exercise. Unless you work out really hard for over an hour . . . or when it's really hot outside . . . water is fine. In fact, having a sports drink after a light workout just adds extra calories you don't need.

Myth #3.) Dark Bread Is Always Better Than White Bread. Some bread companies add caramel coloring to make bread LOOK healthy. So check for a brand that says "whole grain" or "100% whole wheat." And the first ingredient should either be whole wheat, whole rye, whole-grain corn, oat, barley, buckwheat, or brown rice.

Myth #4.) Eggs with Brown Shells Are Better for You. The only thing the color of an eggshell tells you is what color the hen was: White eggs come from hens with white feathers. Brown eggs come from hens with red feathers. Brown eggs are usually more expensive, but it's because red hens eat more than white hens do, not because brown eggs are healthier.

Myth #5.) If the Label Says "All Natural," It Must Be Healthy. If it's on meat or poultry, it means they didn't add any artificial colors or flavors, and the meat wasn't irradiated to kill off bacteria. But with any other type of food, the word "natural" is just marketing nonsense that's absolutely meaningless.

Six Outdated Resume Rules You Should Ignore:

Some of the tips that helped land job interviews ten years ago just don't work anymore. Here are six outdated resume rules you should ignore.

#1.) Your Resume Can Only Be One Page. Two-page resumes are common now. If you're young and don't have much experience, stick to one page. Otherwise, two's fine.

#2.) Your Resume Should List Every Job You've Had. Actually, this was NEVER a good tip. Your resume should make you look as qualified as possible. So if you dressed up as a toy soldier outside FAO Schwarz 10 years ago, and it has nothing to do with the job you're applying for, don't list it.

#3.) Putting "References Available Upon Request" at the Bottom. Hiring managers already assume that if they want a reference, you'll provide one. So writing it out just takes up an extra line and makes you look old.

#4.) You Should Have an "Objective" at the Top of Your Resume. Companies don't care about it anymore. And if it doesn't perfectly fit the position you're applying for, it might actually hurt your chances. Some people list their career highlights or skills where the objective used to go. Or you can just leave it out.

#5.) You Should Be More Formal When You Write Your Cover Letter. These days, the best resumes and cover letters are somewhat conversational. And if you're too formal, you either sound stiff or dishonest.

#6.) A Few Days After Submitting Your Resume, Make a Follow-Up Phone Call. A phone call used to be the only way to make sure your resume got there. But now, getting an extra phone call in the middle of work can be annoying. So as long as you send it to the right email address and remember to attach the file, you're fine. And if you DO need to contact them again, do it over email.

Seven Things That Are Actually Getting Cheaper:

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?

Here are the 25 Signs You're Getting Old:

A new survey in England came up with the 25 signs YOU'RE GETTING OLD. Ready to see how many of them apply to you? If the answer is "a lot," you're not alone: About 60% of the people surveyed said they were showing plenty of signs from the list. And a decent number of those people were in their 20s. Here are the signs:

#1. You fall asleep in front of the TV . . . #2. You wake up feeling stiff . . . #3. You groan when you bend down . . . #4. You're shocked by sexual music videos . . . #5. You hate noisy bars and restaurants . . . #6. You think teachers, cops, and doctors look really young . . . #7. You grow more ear hair and nose hair . . . #8. You struggle to use technology . . . #9. You forget people's names . . . #10. You don't know any of the top 10 songs on the radio. #11. You choose clothes and shoes for comfort, not style . . . #12. You start driving slower . . . #13. Your tastes change and you like "older" drinks, like sherry . . . #14. You complain more . . . #15. You misplace things more often. . .#16. You think your coworkers keep getting younger . . . #17. You take mid-afternoon naps . . . #18. You complain about all the garbage on TV these days . . . #19. Your ears get bigger . . . #20. You like going for a nice Sunday walk . . . #21. You're losing your hair . . . #22. You go on vacation to a place that doesn't allow kids . . . #23. You develop an interest in gardening . . . #24. You like being carded for alcohol . . . #25. You know your alcohol limit, and cut yourself off.

The survey also found that the majority of people say SIXTY is the age when someone can officially be considered "old."

Slow Cooker Asian Tomato Beef

Spend just 10 minutes putting this recipe together earlier in the day, and come home to a tender beef and broccoli dish that's as good as a restaurant entrée.


Ingredients: 2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Condensed Tomato Soup, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 boneless beef round steak (3 to 3 1/2 pounds), cut into strips, 6 cups broccoli florets, hot cooked rice

Directions: Stir the soup, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper and beef in a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until the beef is fork-tender. Stir in the broccoli. Increase the heat to HIGH. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Serve the beef mixture with the rice. This recipe may also be cooked on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

Tipping 15% Isn't Enough Anymore. Here's What You SHOULD Be Tipping:

If you're going out for dinner . . . or even picking up dinner to bring home . . . here's a guide from the magazine "LA Weekly" on what constitutes an acceptable tip these days. Basically, they say 15% isn't enough anymore, and you should almost always leave at least 20%, even when you order delivery. But here are more specific things the article says.

#1.) Baristas. When you're at Starbucks, a dollar in the jar is pretty much the standard. If you order a coffee and a scone, that's about 20%. But if you just order a coffee and the barista makes it correctly, you're still supposed to leave a buck.

#2.) Bartenders. A dollar a drink. But "LA Weekly" says if you're at a trendy place that charges $15 for a Red Bull and vodka, you should leave two.

#2.) If Your Waiter Is Also the Owner of the Restaurant. Still leave 20%. It doesn't change the fact that he's doing the same thing a normal waiter would do. And small business owners aren't always swimming in money.

#3.) Picking Up a To-Go Order. If there's a tip line on the credit card receipt, and all the person at the register did was package up your food, 10% is enough.

#4.) Valets. At least two dollars, but three if you really like your car.

Six Office Supplies That Can Fix a Wardrobe Malfunction:

Most people have had some kind of clothing malfunction at work before, like a stain or a rip. But the next time it happens, you don't have to look like an idiot all day, or wait until you get home to deal with it. Here are six office supplies that can fix a wardrobe malfunction.

#1.) To Loosen a Stuck Zipper, Use a Pencil. The graphite in a number-two pencil can act like lubrication. Just rub it across the teeth of the zipper a few times, and it should help loosen it up.

#2.) If You Stain Your Shirt, Use Dry-Erase Board Cleaner to Clean It. The main ingredient is rubbing alcohol, which can remove small stains. Just blot the stain using a paper towel, and be careful you don't get it near your eyes. But test it on a hidden part of your clothing first, and make sure it doesn't cause the color to run.

#3.) Use a FedEx or UPS Packing Pouch to Remove Pet Hair. If you realize your shirt has cat hair all over it, take the paper strip off a packing pouch so the stick part is exposed. Then put the pouch on like a glove, and run it over your shirt a few times. If you don't have a packing pouch, you can do the same thing with a regular piece of packing tape.

#4.) If a Hem Rips, Use a Stapler to Fix It. It seems weird because it'll leave little holes in your clothes. But pins do the same thing, and people use pins on clothing all the time. So if a hem or a seam rips, just staple it back together. But make sure you use a staple remover later when you take them out. Otherwise you'll rip the fabric.

#5.) Use a Sharpie to Fix a Scuffed Shoe. You'll need the right color, but you CAN use a Sharpie on shoes. Just don't use it on clothing or it'll stain.

#6.) If You Lose the Back to an Earring, Use an Eraser. You could also just not wear earrings for the rest of the day. But if you absolutely MUST, a piece of eraser can hold the earring in place. It won't even turn your skin green the way earrings with nickel do.