Wisdom Archive 5

~ words of wisdom ~

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thursday, december 31

Pop The Cork

Champagne corks are bound to be popping all over the world, and unless you've just won the Stanley Cup, you'll want to take some precautions. With most bottles of Champagne, you'll need to remove the foil around the cage first. From this point on, keep the cork pointed in a safe direction, and keep one thumb on it just in case. Corks can loosen over time, so even if you're not ready to pop, the cork may be. Next, loosen the wire cage, with your thumb firmly on the cork, this step has a lot of premature popping potential. Once the cage is off, it's best to put a bar towel over the top of the bottle. Now, hold the cork in one hand, and the base of the bottle in the other. Turn the BOTTLE, not the cork, slowly and gently. You want the cork to ease off with a soft "whoof" not with a pop.

You can now pour, with or without the towel. If you want to look experienced, pour down the sides of the glasses to minimize bubble waste. Then, try a quick turn of the bottle when you're done pouring each glass to catch any drips.

And remember, never use a corkscrew on a bottle of Champagne, the bottle is under strong pressure and could explode.

Avoiding a Hangover

Obviously, not drinking is the best approach, and if you drink to much, there is just no avoiding a hangover. However, if you know you'll be drinking, or someone who will be, take these precautions:

Do Not Drive: Do not drive a car to get to where you will be drinking unless you can stay, will call a cab, or have somebody who can drive you back.

BEFORE YOU DRINK:

Eat: Eat something that has vitamin B and C such as fruit. If you are going to an after hour party, you should eat early dinner before you go to the party or eat while you drink. The fructose in foods will help absorb alcohol.

Vitamins B & C: Take vitamins B & C. Alcohol will deplete nutrients from your body and the vitamins will help you replace what you lose from your body by drinking. Drinking orange juice, grapefruit juice, and grape juice will also help.

WHILE YOU DRINK:

Drink Water: always order a cup of water when ordering an alcohol beverage. Water will help rehydrate your system. The more water you drink, the better solution after the night.

Eat while you drink: Try to eat while you drink if possible. Food will not only help absorb alcohol slowly, but also slow your drinking pitch down.

Watch Your Pace: Drink as slow as possible. When you feel fine (meaning when you can tell or cannot tell that alcohol starts changing your behavior, thinking, and sight etc.), you should stop drinking alcohol and drink water. If the party goes longer than you expected, order some fruit juice.

AFTER YOU DRINK:

Before going to bed: Take vitamins and drink water. Do not drink coffee. Coffee will speed dehydration.

wednesday, december 30

Cool Sweat

The next time you're ready to work up a sweat, make it a cold one...

New research shows that taking that workout outside, in the brisk open air, is much better for you. It not only helps to fend off seasonal affective disorder, that depression that can set in as the days get shorter, but you'll also avoid the cold and flu viruses that could be festering in your sweaty gym. And when it's really cold, and you're bundled up in heavier clothing, you're likely to burn up to 10% MORE calories!

tuesday, december 29

How To Survive a Plane Crash

There's no doubt air travel has been getting a lot of attention lately, but did you know 80 percent of commercial airline accidents are survivable? According to Bill Hagen, president of AmSafe aviation, it's still the safest way to travel. There is only one accident for every 1.2 million flights. Hagen says the key to surviving is to remain conscious during the golden time, the critical 90 seconds immediately following an impact, and here are the key steps to take to do that:

Keep your seatbelt buckled at all times, the precious seconds it takes to secure a seatbelt could make the difference.

Even frequent flyers should watch the pre-flight safety briefing, they differ a bit on each aircraft.

Pay close attention to the brace position the flight attendant demonstrates. It protects you from impact with the seat in front of you and can prevent serious head or neck trauma.

You may even be seeing a new safety feature on your next flight, a seatbelt airbag. It's in the lap belt and will inflate away from you, filling the space between you and the next seat.

monday, december 28

Return Policy

Need to return something? Some stores have stricter policies this year...

If you need to return that ugly sweater or appliance you don't need, the sooner the better. Consumer reports explains that due to fraudulant returns over the holiday season, some companies are imposing stricter return policies. Here's what you might need:

A receipt or gift receipt. If you don't have it, the best you can hope for is store credit at the lowest price the item sold for.

The box. If you've discarded the packaging, warranties or instruction manual, you might be stuck with the item.

The packing slip. If the item was bought online, you'll need the paperwork that came with it including the return authorization number.

Labels and tags. If you cut them off of items such as fine jewelry or fancy cloths, it could void the return.

The unbroken seal. Computer solftware, video games, CDs and DVDs generally are not returnable after the seal has been broken.

It's also more common to see restocking fees these days. For items such as video cameras or special orders, these fees typically range from 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25

Open At Your Own Risk

Why are so many packages still hard to crack? Blame crooks, in part. Manufacturers obsess about theft as never before. The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention estimates losses from pilferage at more than $25 million per day. Other reasons:

Federal safety laws require seals that will show evidence of tampering, and child-safety caps on most over-the-counter remedies, though that often makes them adultproof.

Products from abroad must be packed securely enough to withstand a long, bouncy voyage aboard a cargo ship.

With toys, it’s no longer enough to picture what’s inside. Children and parents like to interact with the toy or at least see all the pieces before buying.

But try explaining those reasons to a kid. We watched a 7-year-old as she attempted to liberate Bratz Sisterz dolls from their packaging. We gave her safety scissors, though she preferred using her hands. Eight minutes after she began, the child, noticeably agitated and breathing heavily, freed the dolls, which now looked as if they had just returned from a rough night on the town. Our young tester resorted to ripping the dolls from the packaging. The Sisterz were missing clumps of hair, and strings, plastic tabs, and wires were everywhere. Some of the wires remained stuck around the dolls’ arms.

MGA Entertainment, the company that manufactures Bratz dolls, has sympathy for the customers who buy them. “We are in the process of a running change in the packaging that is certain to make the ‘ties, twists, and tape’ problem so much easier to handle,” says Reagan Holmes, the company’s public-relations coordinator. She wouldn’t divulge exactly how the company planned to revamp its packaging.

“Manufacturers get pulled in a lot of different directions,” says Laura Bix, assistant professor of packaging at Michigan State University. The public “expects prices to remain low,” she says, “but they want environmental friendliness, and they want it to be nice looking.” Retailers have expectations, too. They need to guard against pilferage yet attract buyers. “Products need to ‘pop’ off the shelf to catch the eye of even the tiniest consumers,” Bix says. “Manufacturers do make an effort to balance those different expectations.”

In the end, says Kay Cooksey, associate professor in Clemson University’s Department of Packaging Science, packaging is perceived by industry as a necessary evil, and manufacturers don’t want to spend more on it than they have to, even if it means compromising usability.

Source: Consumer Reports

thursday, december 24

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh

Where did Christmas gift giving come from? If we go back to the first Christmas story when God sent Jesus to earth, we recall that Jesus was given three gifts by the three wise men or Magi, which serve as the inspiration for all our Christmas gift giving today.

The Magi presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were very prophetic for they spoke of our Lord's offices of King, Priest, and Savior.

GOLD: This carries obvious significance. It's precious and worthy across all cultures and times. It's a gift fit for royalty. It says to the Christ child, You will be a King

FRANKINCENSE: The name for this resin likely comes from incense of Franks since it was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish Crusaders. Although it is better known as frankincense" to westerners the resin is also known as olibanum, which is derived from the Arabic al-lub ("the milk") a reference to the milky sap tapped from the Boswellia tree. Frankincense has been touted for its medicinal and soothing properties. Herbalists say it is calming, restorative, gently clarifying, and meditative. Frankincense oil is thought to have stimulating, toning, and warming properties. The ancient world used it for treating depression. We recognize the word incense in its name. Ancient people burned frankincense, believing it to carry their prayers to heaven. Its use as incense illustrates His role as our Priest.

MYRRH: This is perhaps the most mysterious of the Gifts. It is a resin produced by a small, tough, scraggly tree that grows in semi-desert regions of North Africa and the Red Sea. Myrrh is an Arabic word for bitter, and it is considered a wound healer because of its strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Calling it mo yao, the Chinese used it for centuries to treat wounds, bruises and bleeding and to relieve painful swelling.

The Egyptians made it famous in Biblical times, having acquired myrrh about the fifteenth century B.C. from Africa where cammiphora trees were abundant. It was used in incense, perfumes and holy ointments and also medicinally as recorded in the Ebers Papyrus. But its most notable use to them was that of an embalming material, used in Egyptian mummies. As an embalming ointment it signified that He was born to Die for the world. In fact, Myrrh was one of the burial spices of Jesus.

wednesday, december 23

Poinsettias

Are poinsettias really poisonous? Actually, no. Many people are under the impression that poinsettias are poisonous, but there is scientific evidence that they're not. Of course, if you ingest too much of anything, you'll be prone to a reaction, but studies conducted by the Ohio State University and the Society of American Florists determined that a 50 pound child would have to ingest over 500 poinsettia bracts to surpass what they tested, and even at those levels, no toxicity was found. However, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption, and there is a chance that someone could have an allergic reaction, so you'd better skip the poinsettia salad.

Not only can you consider your poinsettias safe, you can breath easier. Poinsettias were included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants from indoor air.

tuesday, december 22

Green Eyed Monster

Feeling jealous? Good! There's is an up-side to green-eyed envy. Jealousy, may not be flattering, but it's not all bad. A healthy dose of envy can actually be good for you. According to family counselor Jennifer Coleman, it's perfectly normal, and can even be healthy. She explains it's a defense mechanism that kicks in when we feel vulnerable. Coleman says think of jealousy as a personal trainer of your emotions, motivating you to work harder for what you want such as a better job, a stronger relationship, or even a smaller pants or dress size.

Of course you'll want to try to keep your green-eyed monster on a leash. If you're feeling jealous about something you have no control over, or something that is completely unrealistic, remind yourself that's a waste of emotion and try to channel that towards something more attainable.

monday, december 21

Winter Solstice

This year, the December or Winter solstice will occur at 12:47 pm, eastern time, on December 21, 2009. Throughout history and different cultures, there have been some pretty interesting ways to observe the solstice:

The Feast of Juul was observed in Scandinavia. Fires were lit to honor the returning sun. That's where where the Yule log caught on and spread through Europe. They even put the ashes from the logs to use, as fertilizer or good luck charms.

In Ancient Rome the winter solstice festival began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. Grudges and quarrels were forgotten, and it's said that wars were interrupted and slaves were served by their masters.

In Poland the ancient December solstice involved people showing forgiveness and sharing food.

In Guatemala some Mayan Indians still mark this day with a dangerous ritual known as the flying pole dance. Three men climb up a 50-foot pole. As one of them beats a drum and plays a flute, the other two men jump off with a rope attached bungee style. If they land on their feet, it is believed that the sun god will be pleased and that the days will start getting longer. That one seems to work every year.

friday, december 18

Hair Speak

Hair says a lot about us, it's DNA can reveal what we eat, drink, and who we are, but it's style can speak volumes about what we're like. Here are some common hair style stereotypes:

For women, short hair suggests intelligence and openness, while long hair, if it's well kept, suggests sensuality. If it's messy, that person is often trying to cover up features they're not comfortable with. Curly waves give an impression of playfulness, while the straight look tells people you are together and polished. And if you wear your hair in a pony tail, where you tie it says a lot. High on the head gives you a casual, energetic look, while lower leaves you looking a bit more serious and poised.

For the men, the short cropped look is considered the sexiest, but might also suggest your self absorbed. Medium length makes you look intelligent and affluent. And there's good and bad takes on long haired men, while they may look the most well-natured, they're also perceived as the most careless.

Good news for gray hairs. Both men and women who let their hair go gray are perceived as confident and comfortable with who they are.

thursday, december 17

Switching Computers

What do you do about transferring files when you come home with a new computer. There are a few transfer options, I'll explain them in a moment...

How do you get the stuff off an old computer to your new computer? It depends on the computers and what you want to transfer:

For files and settings, Microsoft has some transfer programs built in, but they can be a bit complicated and time consuming. There's something called an Easy Transfer cable, it's about $40. Follow the steps, and files and settings will be transferred.

To transfer everything, including applications, there are cables for that too, one is called PC Mover, and another is called Tornado. Ask about them at your computer store.

For MACs, you'll be happy to hear that Apple will transfer your Windows stuff for free if you bought it at an Apple store. It's not well publicized, so again, be sure to ask at the store. If you buy your MAC online, an Apple store will still do the transfer for around $40.

Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal

wednesday, december 16

Radio Teeth

At one time or another, you've probably heard that there are cases of people picking up radio transmissions through their dental work. So could it happen? Well, maybe, but not like you'd imagine. We did some research, and Myth Busters basically says no, a tooth filling can not act as a radio antenna. However, Straightdope.com went into a bit more detail. Only a few mentions of such incidents were found after checking medical journals as far back as 1928, and they were vague. But they did happen upon two cases, both from Chicago, who claimed to have a brief experience hearing tooth radio through their dental work.

Scientifically, the closest we've come to dental broadcasting is in the form of a buzz heard by subjects irradiated with UHF and VHF radio pulses at close range. If by any chance you've got good dental reception, let the American Dental Association know, they get inquiries on the topic about every six weeks.

tuesday, december 15

Left Foot

Is one of your feet bigger than the other? If it's your left one, you're in the majority. 60% of the population have different size feet? And out of those feet, 80% of left feet are the larger ones, and there's a reason for it. 80% of the population is right hand dominant, and righties use their left foot for leverage. When you working or lifting with one, the opposite foot tends to get more exercise, thus the slight variance in size, in length or width.

The most common variance is a half size, and it may not be necessary to mix and match shoes to get a comfortable fit. In most cases, even adding a small insert can do the trick with feet differing up to a full size. If you're left foot is really big, you may need to be fitted with a mismatched pair of shoes, and many stores will charge you their cost for the second pair, or about 50 to 60 percent of the retail price.

Source: Fittedshoe.com

monday, december 14

Got Money?

Got money? Splurge wisely. For maximum happiness while spending, opt for the vacation or the concert. Research shows spending on an experience can be more valuable than spending on something tangible. You might love that new car, or that new gadget, but it gets old. With something like a vacation, the memories have a lasting effect, and often over time, they even gain appeal.

The study also shows that sharing your experiences with others around you, taking in a ball game or a weekend getaway with them, spreads the happiness, as opposed to investing in a material item that only you enjoy.

The exceptions to the experience rule would be a tangible gift of sentimental value, a piece of jewelry or something very personal can also have a lasting effect, more so than the trendy item.

friday, december 11

Spreading Loneliness

Loneliness is like a disease, and it's contagious. New research shows that loneliness can actually spread from one person to another. So how do you catch it? According to a University of Chicago psychologist, lonely people are prone to isolating themselves, which can have a profound effect on their social circle, friends and family. Loneliness can result in negative behavior and emotion, and they've found that someone in a sad or bad mood, interacting with another person, can have a negative effect on that person's mood, and so on, and so on.

It turns out friends are at most risk of catching loneliness, followed by neighbor, spouse, and then sibling. The research showed that the friend of a lonely person was 52% more likely to develop feelings of loneliness.

thursday, december 10

Cell Spy

If you have a cell phone, it's possible that someone could be hearing and seeing everything you do. It's cell phone hijacking, and although it's illegal, cell phone spyware is invisible and untraceable. Here's how it works. In 5 to 10 minutes, a downloadable program is installed on the phone, which turns it into a virtual bug that enables the spy to track your every move, calls, texts, even GPS. Rick Mislan, a former military intelligence officer who now teaches cyber forensics at Purdue explains software can now make even the most high-tech cell phone vulnerable.

So how do you protect yourself, and your phone? Keep a close eye on your device so that nobody else has an opportunity to download the software onto it. Keep it password protected and remove the battery when you're not using it. Spyware marketers claim their products can be used on any phone, but high-end phones that have Internet access are the most vulnerable.

wednesday, december 9

Christmas Tips

Happy holidays, to you and to you and to you... Where should the gifting end? There's the mailman, and the garbage man, but don't forget your newspaper carrier, and the school bus driver. And what about your kids' teachers? It's hard to know where to stop. If you're on a tight budget, consider these cuts. Keep the list to people you've relied on over the past six months, and if it's someone you tend to tip regularly throughout the year, a year end tip isn't necessary.

Also, if you really can't afford the extra gifts or tips, there's nothing wrong with a handwritten note, a plate of cookies, or a hand made ornament. There's a good chance it may be even more appreciated.

Source: Mary Mitchell, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Etiquette

tuesday, december 8

100 Years

So what's the secret to living to be 100? A group of centenarians were studied, and here's what they have in common:

Jack Borden, 101

Gender. Being a woman increases your odds, they outnumber the men 4 to 1.

Family. Many centenarians have siblings and parents who also had long lives.

Friends. Overwhelmingly, those who make it to 100 have a lot of them.

Self-esteem. That's high too in centenarians, they rank very low on the scale of neuroticism. These are key factors to less stress and better health.

Weight. You won't find many, if any, obese 100 year olds.

And some words of wisdom from 101 year old Jack Borden, who still goes to the office every day, his secret to long life is simply "not dying".

monday, december 7

Buying Wine

So you're throwing a party. How much wine do you buy? You don't want to run out, or buy to much, and there's a science to getting it right. Wine Chateau explains how to calculate:

Keep in mind that a standard bottle gives you about five 5-ounce servings. For a dinner party, plan on about two glasses of wine per person. For a cocktail party, it's about 1-2 glasses per wine drinker for the first hour, and another glass per hour.

So, the easiest formula is doubling the number of guests, and divide that number by five. This gives you the number of bottles you need. 30 guests multiplied by 2 gives you 60 glasses of wine, divided by 5 leaves you with 12 bottles of wine to buy.

If a full bar is available at your party, figure that one-third of your guests will drink wine, and calculate accordingly. It's also a good idea to start brewing coffee and stop serving drinks for the last hour of the party.

friday, december 4

Deplane, Deplane

If you're planning to travel over the holiday season, don't forget to shower first, PLEASE!

'Tis the season, for travel, and just like your daily commute, there's a good chance someone in front of, next to, or behind you will get on your nerves. Travelocity has a survey on the top pet peeves when flying:

Passengers who wrestle with larger-than-allowed carry-on luggage topped the list when boarding the plane.

Our least favorite seat mate is someone who has poor hygiene or is coughing or sneezing.

The most irritating on-board behavior is the passenger who kicks our seat.

The most bothersome fellow travelers to encounter during a vacation are arguing families, boisterous kids and rowdy college students.

More than 80% of respondents feel that large passengers should be seated in two seats.

Finally, the flight is over and you can't wait to get off that plane. Not so fast, overwhelmingly, travelers who rush to deplane before those ahead of them are the most annoying.

thursday, december 3

Neighborly Advice

Whether it's the vintage Buick on the front lawn or the over-the-top landscaping, some neighbors can drive you nuts. Here's how to deal with some of them:

The Clampetts - They're friendly enough, but they might tend to let things go and devalue the neighborhood.

How to handle them - Communicate. If they are willing but unable to deal with it, they may accept some neighborly help. If they send Granny out with a shotgun, run.

The Jones - There's no keeping up with them. They're always getting a new addition or have the perfect blades of grass treated by a team of lawn professionals.

How to handle them - If you feel intimidated or envious, remind yourself most families are dysfunctional to some degree, even if it doesn't show on the outside. If that doesn't work, park a vintage buick on your front lawn.

The Mrs. Kravitz - Anyone who makes your life more complicated than it needs to be.

How to handle them - Try to keep a good rapport. A small amount of physical contact, in the form of a simple wave or hello, can go a long way even with difficult neighbors. If that doesn't work, ask Granny to pay them a visit.

The Kramer - The neighbor who bursts in uninvited and heads for the fridge.

How to handle them - Keep the door locked, or call the cops. They'll get the message.

wednesday, december 2

Charlie Brown

He's 60, he's bald, but he doesn't look a day over... How old IS Charlie Brown supposed to be?

Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts gang, celebrates their 60th anniversary this season, and the shelves are stocked with Charlie, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Schroeder, looking better than ever. So how old are they supposed to be anyway? Charlie Brown stated in an early strip in 1950, that he was only four years old. Seven years later, another strip mentioned he was six years old. Fast forward to 1979, Charlie is quoted as being eight-and-a-half years old, and that's pretty much where he's stayed ever since. Linus started out as an infant, but aged to within a year or two of Charlie Brown, although he is clearly wise beyond his years.

Charlie Brown's age isn't the only thing that has changed slightly. That famed yellow and black shirt started out as red in the comic strip, blue on some merchandise, and finally yellow on the TV specials, which ultimately stuck on Charlie.

tuesday, december 1

Extended Warranty

This holiday season, shoppers are expected to spend big bucks on extended warranties for stuff like laptops, TVs and other electronics, and Consumer Reports says don't do it. They say for the consumer, extended warranties are notoriously bad deals because:

Some repairs are already covered by the standard manufacturer warranty that comes with the product.

Products seldom break within the extended-warranty window, which typically covers you for two to three years after purchase.

When electronics and appliances do break, the repairs, on average, cost about the same as an extended warranty.

In general, Consumer Reports have found that these warranties are just a bad deal overall for the customer. The only time they suggest you consider it is if you're buying a repair-prone brand, and you'll want to do a little research on those by checking product and customer reviews.

monday, november 30

Online Deadline

If you plan to do your Christmas shopping online, there is a deadline to get it on time. In order to avoid additional express shipping fees, plan on ordering by mid-December. Some of the biggest online retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Apple and Target suggest getting those orders in by the week of the 15th. And for the procrastinators, they all have the express shipping option available through the 22nd of December. But keep in mind, popular items sell fast, and if you need specific models, sizes or colors, he who hesitates may have to substitute for out of stock or backordered items.

friday, november 27

Crack A Smile

Is there a way to tell if someone is faking a smile? Yes! There are about 50 different types of the human smile. Experts can usually tell when it's a fake, and so can you. Here's what to look for. When a smile is real, there is a crinkle in the skin at the middle, outside corner of the eyes. If it's not there, the smile is probably fake. If a smile comes on rapidly, and spreads broadly across the face, and the cheeks are involved, it's usually the genuine thing.

Another smile to watch for is the closed lip smile, it can sometimes be a sign the person is suppressing words, trying not to comment. And a half smile, on one side of the face, can often indicate cynicism or sarcasm.

thursday, november 26

Turkey Talk

Turkeys may not have the smartest reputation, but they do have some redeeming qualities aside from taste. A wild turkey has excellent vision and hearing, and can run at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. And yes, they can even fly. They may not be breaking any distance records, but they've been clocked airborne at 50-55 miles per hour! Unfortunately turkeys are prone to some other hazards. Fields of them died from heart attacks when the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barriers.

As for drowning in the rain, that's not entirely true. For the most part, wild turkeys seem to do just fine. On the other hand, domesticated turkeys are prone to panic, and their first few days out in the elements can turn deadly.

wednesday, november 25

Eau de Moon

Wipe your boots! You're traipsing moon all over the capsule! And it smells like gun-powder. Of course, in their airtight suits, the moon walking astronauts couldn't smell it as they explored the surface, but moon dust is clingy stuff, and plenty of it was traipsed back into the cabin. They reported that moon dust feels like snow, smells like gun-powder, and doesn't taste too bad. The dust is made of silicon dioxide glass created by meteors slamming into the moon's surface, and also contains minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium.

tuesday, november 24

Out Of The Kitchen!

Ever notice everyone seems to want to be in the kitchen when you're entertaining? I've got some tricks to keep them out...

You work so hard to prepare the house for entertaining, and half the guests seem to end up in the kitchen! The reason they're in there is often because YOU are, and you are the one person everyone knows. The trick is to make everyone comfortable somewhere else when they arrive. Make sure you have time to sit down with them in the living room first and get them engaged with each other. Another reason they're in the kitchen is of course for food and drinks. Good smells are coming out from that kitchen and it's like nectar to bees. The only way to head them off at the pass is to make sure there are plenty of goodies where you want them to be, including drinks, ice and glasses so there's no reason for them to come into the kitchen.

And for those few you just can't seem to deter, hand them something, and ask them to deliver it and mingle a bit to help you out.

monday, november 23

Outlet Shopping

You find some friends, pick a day, pitch in for gas, and hit the road for outlet shopping. Why do most of the outlets seem to be in the middle of nowhere? First of all, the real estate is cheaper for them, but more importantly, the more effort it takes to go there, the more you're likely to buy. It's true you can find some great deals at the outlets, but let's face it, even if you don't find exactly what you're going for, you're not likely to come home empty handed after making a day of it.

The word outlet alone is often used to get your business. We tend to associate it with lower prices on big name quality brands, but there are many stores that actually produce lower quality merchandise specifically for their outlets.

friday, november 20

Holiday Traffic

A lot of us will have to deal with some holiday traffic next week, not just on the roads or at malls, but through the kitchen and around the table. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep things moving from room to room:

Halt cross traffic. Pull main seating forward to leave a space for guests to walk through without crossing in front of the TV or through a conversation.

Widen the lane. The path people take, especially when carrying food or drinks, should be two to three feet wide.

Parking seats. Add a few dining room or folding chairs between larger seating, creating a loose circle formation for better conversation. More than one conversation area is best, it will keep them out of the kitchen.

A few more reminders for safe travel through your home, remove any small rugs that tend to slip or bunch up, tuck any cords safely away, and position any candles you plan to light carefully.

thursday, november 19

Warm Your Heart

Having a nice hot cup of whatever can warm you up AND help your heart!As the air temperature drops, our beverage temperatures rise, and that can be a good thing. Research shows some of our favorite steamy beverages can actually reduce our risk of heart disease. Here's the menu:

Hot cocoa lowers blood pressure when you make it with dark cocoa. And the vitamin D in the milk enhances circulation.

Chai tea keeps cholesterol in check. The cinnamon, ginger and cloves are steeping with compounds that lower the bad and increase the good.

Warm apple cider is good for your arteries. The antioxidants help protect against heart attack and stroke.

wednesday, november 18

Worked Over

Most of us are worried we're not getting enough exercise, but how much is too much? About 30 to 60 minutes a day is considered healthy for most people. But for some, exercise can be downright addicting and dangerous. Exercise addiction can lead to injuries, exhaustion and even depression, and that workout can leave them feeling worked over. So how much is too much? If exercise starts taking over your life and you tend to organize your life around your workout, chances are you're overdoing it. Another warning sign is if you're left feeling exhausted or depleted after workouts instead of rejuvenated.

tuesday, november 17

Social Shopping

Social Shopping, it's the interactive aspect of shopping online that can save us time and money. It goes beyond online buying and there are different ways you can take advantage of it. Most of us can figure out how to use social sites for the basics, such as consumer product reviews or sharing the deals you find with friends and family. But there are some more extreme social shopping approaches such as Twitter wish lists, which can offer great deals in real time tweets, sometimes lasting only an hour or so. There's even group gifting from online retailers such as Best Buy, where you can put in a request for a high ticket item, and your real life friends can log on and pitch in for that gift. You can even have them notified via email or sites like Facebook.

monday, november 16

Cheaper Turkey

If you're planning Thanksgiving, Consider buying your turkey now. Buying a frozen turkey costs less, and the sooner the better. Turkey prices rise the closer Thanksgiving gets, and a fresh bird will cost a lot more. Of course, if you want to splurge, go right ahead. After all, fresh turkey's are generally juicier. But if your keeping costs down, buy a frozen ORGANIC turkey. Conventional turkey's are usually injected with salt and starch. Keep your frozen turkey in the freezer, then transfer to the refrigerator a few days before Thanksgiving, so it has enough time to thaw properly.

friday, november 13

Dog Boarding

If you'll be boarding your dog over the holidays, start planning now, it could save you some last minute hassles. Sherry Boyer, owner of the Dog House boarding facility explains, it's best to get the vaccinations up to date at least a week before boarding your dog. Dogs occasionally show symptoms of canine cough or bordatella from the vaccine, and a boarder won't be able to tell the difference between shot-related symptoms and the real thing. You'll also want to have your papers in order, some boarders require proof of vaccinations upon arrival.

And don't forget the fleas. Most facilities require you treat your dog with a monthly flea preventive, you'll want to schedule that treatment just before your dog checks into the kennel.

thursday, november 12

Phone Book

The phone book. It seems eventually it will become obsolete. If you're already on board with that, you can stop the phone book from being delivered to your home, and you won't need it to look up the number. Just go online. Two websites that offer the opt out service are:

YellowPagesOptOut.com

YellowPagesGoesGreen.org

As for the old phone books you've already got, let your fingers do the ripping, here's what they're good for:

Window wipes. Phone book pages work great with a little vinegar and water.

Fire starters. In the fireplace, grill or wood stove.

Garden mulch. Shred them, a few pages at a time, they're biodegradable weed blockers.

Phone books can also be recycled, and there's a website for that too, go to Earth911.com and type in your zip code.

wednesday, november 11

Dream Speak

Considering how much of our lives we spend sleeping, wouldn't it be great if we could get even more pleasure out of it? There is a lot of advice out there on how to remember your dreams, but some people can even control them. Here's are some tips on how to try it:

Keeping records of dreams is the first step in convincing your brain they are important. Instead of writing them down in a sleepy state, consider voicing them into a hand held recorder on your night stand. Your cell phone might even have a voice memo feature.

Pay attention to what's on your mind as you fall asleep. Pick a theme. This will help prep your brain on where you'd like it to go.

Remind yourself to remember your dream, either by thinking it, or placing a visual reminder where you'll see it at bedtime.

It's common to wake up right at the best part of a dream. Another good trick is to set your alarm about an hour early, then go back to sleep. That second sleep stage is where we've got more power over influencing our dreams.

tuesday, november 10

2012

Are you ready for the year 2012? Chances are you've heard that's when it all ends, but according to NASA, it's just the beginning. They assure us that scientists have thoroughly studied the subject, and that nothing bad will happen. Here's how NASA explains the whole thing got started.

The Sumerians claimed the supposed planet Nibiru was headed towards earth and predicted impact for May 2003. When nothing happened, the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012. On top of that, many believed that the ancient Mayan calendar ends at the winter solstice in 2012, and the two fables were linked together.

It turns out the Mayan calendar does not cease to exist after December 31st 2012, but just as your calendar begins again on January 1st, another long-count period begins for the Mayan calendar. So instead of preparing for the worst in 2012, start planning the celebration for January 1st, 2013.

monday, november 9

Chapped Lips

Do you have chapped lips? Skip the flavored lip balm, it can make matters worse. People most prone to getting chapped lips are those who lick their lips, and flavored lip balm just encourages that, even if you're not aware you're doing it. Cold, dry air, and wind are big factors, and it's a reflex to moisten our lips with a quick lick. The best prevention is to apply lip balm before we head out, and to reapply often in the elements. Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated also helps prevent chapping.

If it already hurts to crack a smile, Aloe Vera, cucumber and honey are good natural soothers, and you'll want to avoid any skin products containing alcohol. If chapping is severe, check with your doctor because persistent chapped lips could indicate an underlying problem or vitamin deficiency.

friday, november 6

Bread And Water

When you go out to eat, you could be paying a lot for the bread and water. There are some tricks certain restaurants use to increase their profits.

If you've noticed you have to ASK for water, bread and even butter at some restaurants, there's a reason for that. Some of them will even charge you for it. Check out these surprising profits on things we take for granted:

Water - many restaurants hold back on the tap water hoping you'll be thirsty and order a cocktail or pricier beverage. Some push the bottled water with an average 192 percent markup in price.

Bread - in some eateries, not only do you have to request it, you could be charged a surprising $3 per basket. And unless you like it dry, butter could set you back another $2.

Soda - a glass costs the restaurant only about a dime, but to make matters worse, and profits more, some water it down.

Veggies - you'll see them a la carte more often these days. That portion of broccoli costs the restaurant about $1.50, but you'll shell out about $6 to enjoy it.

Lemon - they could be charging for that too soon. The markup on iced tea is huge, and in most cases, that 10 cent lemon wedge is costing the restaurant more than the beverage itself.

thursday, november 5

Retrosexual

Retrosexuals unite. They're all over the place, and you might be one too. It's the new term bestowed on Facebook users who are enjoying connecting with their old flames. With Facebook catching like wildfire among the 30 to 50 year old crowd, there's potential for a virtual blast from the past every time you log on. W. Keith Campbell, author of "The Narcissism Epidemic" explains, it's natural to wonder what he or she looks like after all these years, and what path their life has taken, and it's easier than ever to open that time capsule, be it like a gift from the past or a can of worms. It's sort of an ongoing high school reunion.

So even if you don't consider yourself part of the retrosexual revolution, chances are you've got a Facebook friend who is, and that high school crush they had on you is alive and well.

wednesday, november 4

World Series

Ok baseball fans, the season's almost over and it's a long way to April. Of course the Yankees have the most World Series victories under their belt with 26, but do you know who won the first World Series? In 1903 they were known as the Boston American Club. They played against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a best of 9 match, and won 5 games to 3, winning the last 4 in a row!

Of course we didn't have the luxury of watching the series from the comfort of our living rooms until 1947, so you would have needed a ticket to see Boston's victory back in 1903, and that would have set you back a whopping 50 cents! A far cry from the $1,000 average asking price for a New York game tonight or tomorrow.

tuesday, november 3

GPS Home

If you've got a GPS, don't save your home address in there, it's a literal map to your house. Consider this scenario. A couple is at a football game, their car is broken into, and the thieves take the GPS and the garage door opener. Not only do the crooks know they're not home, and approximately how much time they've got, but they also have directions to the house and easy access to get inside.

When programming your home address into your GPS, consider putting a nearby address like a store or gas station, or better yet, your local police department!

Source: marydesilva.wordpress.com

monday, november 2

Now What?

You found the perfect pumpkin, carved the perfect face, now what? Halloween is over, now what about the jack-o-lantern that's sure to be frowning soon? You may want to give it a proper burrial. That's right, pumpkins are great for your garden. You can bury the whole thing, or break it up into pieces. It's chock full of nutrients that your garden will love, and if you've carved it, there probably aren't any seeds that will be sprouting up in the spring.

For any whole pumpkins or gourds you've got displayed, and don't plan to eat, re,e,ber they're great for composting, andsmashing them can be half the fun!

sunday, november 1

Pace Yourself

If you can't help dipping into that leftover bowl of Halloween candy, you could be putting your immune system at risk. Bacteria and yeast in our blood stream feed on sugar, and too much candy can cause an imbalance and weaken it's fighting power. All those goodies can stress you out too, after the sugar high, there is a low, and that puts your stress hormones into overdrive trying to level you out.

If that's not enough incentive to keep that bowl of candy out of reach, get this: Too much sugar can stick to the proteins in our body, causing our tissues to lose elasticity, in our skin and internal organs. That means we're just enhancing the aging process!

Anne Rondepierre

Words Of Wisdom