November 30, 2020

If you avoid candy because it’s not good for your teeth you’ll want to skip these foods that are bad for your smile. Dried fruit has the one-two punch of sugar and stickiness and flavoring on potato chips might be like sandpaper to your teeth. And bottled water that isn’t distilled can be higher in acids that are tough on tooth enamel. Source Link 

A special kind of 10-minute break can help you clear your head and work better. People who used a 10-minute meditation recording were able to complete mental tasks faster than others who had the same break without meditation. The benefits were seen with everyone who used the recording, including people who had no prior training in meditation. Source Link 

You can reduce the risk of an electrical fire in your home with a safety check every six months. Make sure all bulbs in lamps are the proper wattage and that all electrical outlets and switches feel cool to the touch. Flip circuit breakers to see if any are stuck, check for damaged power cords and start unplugging all bathroom and kitchen small appliances when they’re not being used. Source Link 

November 27, 2020

 You can make life at the keyboard easier by avoiding these common computer mistakes. Keeping tabs and windows open that you're not using can slow down computer performance and the same is true if you have a lot of programs that run at startup. And remember that the fastest fix for a problem is often a simple reboot of your computer. Source Link 

Separation anxiety is common for pets and there are ways to ease those meltdowns. If the anxiety starts when you grab the keys do it a few minutes before you leave and they’ll learn to relax. Or you can distract your pet with a treat stashed inside a play toy that will keep them occupied when you head out the door. Source Link 

We think about spices as something that can turn up the heat in food but they might also dial down inflammation in the body. Testing has shown that heavy meals prepared with a combination of spices such as ginger, thyme, oregano, cinnamon, red pepper, cumin, rosemary and basil triggered a lower inflammatory response in the body. Source Link 

November 25, 2020

If there are TVs and laptops on your holiday shopping list, beware of the bargain basement models. For example, TVs with the lowest prices might not have enough connections for all your game boxes and streaming players. And remember that the real bargains on laptops come at back-to-school time and not during the holiday shopping season. Source Link 

It’s a simple step that might save your child’s life. Millions of car seats are recalled every year for safety issues, so you should mail in the warranty card or register online to be notified if there’s a problem with the car seat you use. You can also see a listing of car seat recalls for the past 10 years at nhtsa.gov. Source Link 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so don’t sabotage it with poor food choices. Be sure to get enough protein and be careful to keep your breakfast at about 400 calories. Don’t fill up on carbs, avoid frozen breakfast meals that can be high in sodium and try fresh fruit instead of fruit juice that’s high in sugar. Source Link 

November 24, 2020

The “baby blues” are just something for new moms to experience. A study found that one in four women reported severe depression symptoms at some point during a three-year period following their delivery and the rest had low levels of depression. Current standards watch for postpartum depression for six months after giving birth. Source Link 

When you want to begin your workday right, avoid the urge to multitask. Testing has shown that trying to tackle several things at once right off the bat can set you back for the rest of the day. And don’t start with small talk that can derail your focus on the important tasks at the beginning of your workday. Source Link 

Who knew that one of today’s most popular video games could help kids understand the basics of budgeting? There are financial lessons learned when buying and selling real estate and goods in the popular Animal Crossing game. And the non-profit Next Gen Personal Finance has free online games to teach practical money skills to students. Source Link 

November 23, 2020

A disturbing trend has health experts recommending that colon cancer screening start at age 45 instead of 50. More cases are being seen in the 45- to 49-year old age group and earlier screenings could save more lives. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies are required to cover the full cost of a screening test like a colonoscopy. Source Link 

Getting rid of car clutter is easy with these simple tips. Keep an envelope in the glove box to quickly stash receipts and check it once a week to see what you need to keep. A silicone muffin tin liner can protect a cup holder from dirt and spills. And use an empty tissue box as a trash container by attaching Velcro strips to stick it to the carpeting near the passenger seat. Source Link 

Your nose knows something’s not right but what’s causing those strange home smells? A slight whiff of smoke when you turn on a light switch could be faulty electrical wiring and a fishy smell can be caused when bad wiring starts to melt plastic or rubber in an appliance. And a musty odor in the kitchen might be caused by an unseen leak in a sink pipe. Source Link 

November 20, 2020

If you need a fast budget overhaul try compiling a financial report card. Separate your living expenses into two groups -- “need to have” and “nice to have” -- and cut as many of the “nice to have” expenses as possible. Focus on essentials like your mortgage, utilities, groceries, and car payments and look for savings in internet and phone plans, cable service and subscriptions. Source Link 

You can accurately track your blood pressure at home with the right equipment and techniques. Use a device that measures with a cuff on the upper arm and don’t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before taking a reading. Sit quietly for about five minutes beforehand and be sure to have an empty bladder for the most accurate reading. Source Link 

Your car’s key fob may do a lot more than unlocking the doors and trunk. Many have a feature to roll down all of the windows at once or fold in your side mirrors. And if you park your car outside you can have the fob nearby at night and use the panic button to sound the horn to scare off any home intruders. Source Link 

November 19, 2020

Make the most of the time you spend cleaning the house with these tips. Plan to clean from top to bottom so the dust from that ceiling fan doesn’t end up on the floor you just swept. Remove dirt from a surface with a dry microfiber towel before disinfecting. And don’t be too quick to wipe up spray disinfectant -- let it sit and work for three to 10 minutes.Source Link 

So, you want to get in on today’s low rates for mortgage refinancing but your credit score isn’t the best? Those with an FHA loan can use the Streamline Refinance program or you could do an FHA refinance for another loan. Veterans can also refinance a VA loan for a lower interest rate or use a cash-out refinance through the VA. Source Link 

This is a good time to review the differences between a cold and the flu. Think “wet versus dry” because a cold usually comes with symptoms like a drippy nose and sneezing while the flu brings a dry cough. Both can hit you with achiness and fever, but the flu comes on fast while a cold takes a few days to develop. Source Link 

November 18, 2020

When your wallet is bulging with too much stuff be sure to remove these items first. A Social Security card or anything with that number should never be in a wallet. Same with spare keys, a birth certificate or a blank check. And old receipts with a partial credit card number can be a gold mine for identity thieves. Source Link 

Google is ready to help you name that tune even if you can’t hear it now. The new search feature has you hum, sing or whistle a melody for 15 seconds to match it to listings for music, videos or lyrics. The new feature is available on the latest version of Android software as well as the Google app for iOS. Source Link 

Kids who aren’t in school during the pandemic are at-risk for weight gain from poor eating and less exercise but parents can fight back. Set up a healthy diet and physical activity regimen for the entire family. And make meals and snacks more healthy by stocking up on lean sources of protein, whole grains and lots of easy-to-eat fruits and veggies. Source Link 

November 17, 2020

If a vacation is in your plans try these easy travel hacks. An airline app can be a faster way to get notifications about flight changes and Google Translate will bridge a language gap in a foreign country. And tweeting to an airline may be a faster way to get direct customer support. Source Link 

Need some tips to save time and money on your next home move? Begin culling household items you rarely use and pack room by room ending with the kitchen. Look into more affordable alternatives like using a container to ship your goods and schedule your move for mid-month to avoid the end-of-month rush and higher prices. Source Link 

What fruits give you the biggest nutritional bang per bite? The top 5 nutrient-dense fruits are lemons, strawberries, oranges, limes and pink and red grapefruit. These give you plenty of vitamins B, C and K along with fiber, all of which are associated with a reduction in the risk of chronic diseases. Source Link 

November 16, 2020

 Don’t let the question, “what’s in your wallet?” include these items. A Social Security card should never go with you and don’t carry old receipts with shopping and financial information that can help hackers. Don’t carry every credit card with you and avoid using a phone case that doubles as a wallet, in case your phone is lost or stolen. Source Link 

Studies show that people who take vacations regularly can have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease but fully unplugging is the key. Spending time elsewhere but still checking work calls and emails reduces the value of the vacation. And avoid the urge to binge on food and drink just because you’re not home because that’s not healthy. Source Link 

It’s a classic tech question -- should I leave my computer on 24-7? A daily shutdown could do more harm than good for an older computer because of the physical effect on components during a restart causes more stress than leaving it on. If you do a restart, be sure to follow the proper steps and don’t just switch the power off and on again. Source Link 

November 13, 2020

 It takes a good eye to pick the freshest seafood. Look for a whole fish with eyes that are bright and clear and not dull gray. For a fillet, the skin should be shiny, metallic and clean. Fresh fish should smell like clean water or slightly briny but never “fishy” because cooking can’t improve a fish past its prime. Source Link 

You clean out the trunk of your car when selling it but have you swept up your personal data too? Before you go to the dealer for that trade-in be sure to disconnect your phone from the car’s Bluetooth syncing and delete your contacts, maps and address data. And remember to delete any garage door opener codes that were stored by the vehicle. Source Link 

It’s time to wake up and debunk some common myths about sleeping. A drink won’t help you sleep better and your body can’t function well on just five hours of sleep a night. And don’t assume that snoring is no big deal. Snoring that stops abruptly could be a sign of apnea that happens when throat passages close and you stop breathing. Source Link 

November 12, 2020

 Dealing with a child’s tantrum involves reaction and prevention. Move to a quiet place because the situation can escalate in public view. Comfort them and find out if they’re hungry or tired. You can also teach your child the kind of mindful breathing that adults use to refocus and try to avoid situations that cause stress and can lead to a tantrum. Source Link 

The physical strain that comes from too much screen time might be cured in the blink of an eye. Typically, a person blinks about 30 times per minute but that can drop to just a few times per minute when focusing on a screen. One solution might be the “20-20-20” rule -- every 20 minutes, look away from the screen for 20 seconds at something that’s 20 feet away. Source Link 

Taking some simple precautions can help you avoid home accidents. Use a can opener instead of a knife to cut through clamshell plastic packaging and keep kitchen knives sharp because a dull knife is more likely to slip. Dial down your water heater to 120 degrees to avoid scalding accidents and wear long pants and close-toed shoes when mowing the lawn. Source Link 

November 11, 2020

 If you think that watching TV will help your young child wind down before bedtime, think again. Researchers found that pre-schoolers who watched more TV got less sleep, especially if that TV was in a bedroom and leaving a TV on at bedtime did not help children fall asleep faster. One in three families said their young child had a TV in the bedroom. Source Link

You want unique and strong passwords for online accounts, but how can you remember all of them? Your web browser will help by storing those passwords and inserting them automatically when you visit a site. Browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome let you access those passwords on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Source Link 

What’s an eating plan that’s good for your heart? Spread out your meals and get more of your calories earlier in the day. There isn’t proof that eating breakfast is an absolute must but you should always hydrate yourself first thing in the morning. Coffee counts but the better choice is a glass of water. Source Link 

November 10, 2020

There are some simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim of online scammers. Beware of opening document files attached to emails that might include hidden hacker code and keep your router’s firmware updated for the latest protections. And consider using a virtual credit card that generates a one-time-use number for every online purchase. Source Link 

Think your email account may have been hacked? Check your “Sent” and “Drafts” folders for emails you didn’t write and search for terms like “password reset” in your emails for changes you didn’t make. And look at your read emails to see if any of these are ones that you haven’t opened. Source Link 

What goes into picking a safe PIN? Avoid your birth date, a year in the 1900s, or an obvious numerical sequence. You can go with the birthday of a close friend, the date of your favorite holiday, or the current time and change your PIN periodically, especially when you hear about a data breach. Source Link 

November 9, 2020

No one likes to be caught with a phone battery that’s dying fast but there are ways to hang on longer. Look for the “low power” setting on your phone or switch to Airplane Mode if you can work without a data connection. When you can charge it use a rapid wall unit and take the phone out of the case because keeping it cooler helps a phone charge faster. Source Link 

What foods can you add to your diet to reduce stress? Fish has omega-3 fatty acids that can decrease depression and anxiety and compounds in avocados can improve concentration and mood. Probiotics can help with gut health that impacts anxiety and depression and dark chocolate has antioxidants to lower the production of stress hormones. Source Link 

Eating a meal just before bedtime might have you gaining weight in your sleep. Because of metabolism changes, late diners can have higher blood sugar and burn less fat overnight. Eating before dinner, eating dinner and then snacking until bedtime can bring on the same problem. Source Link 

November 6, 2020

Burning that midnight oil doesn’t burn more calories. Studies show that people who got too little sleep ate the equivalent of another meal a day with more fat and less protein. Researchers think a lack of sleep might affect hormones related to hunger. Source Link 

How can you break the habit of spending so much time on your phone? Turn off biometric screen unlocking to make it harder to dive into a scrolling session and use a smartwatch that lets you see text messages without picking up your phone. And don’t incorporate work email into your private email program and you won’t be tempted by work-related messages after-hours. Source Link 

You should be putting more than just bank statements and old bills through that shredder. Airline boarding passes, prescription paperwork, free return labels and even extra birth announcements have information that could be used by identity thieves. And a vet bill may include a pet’s name which many people use in an online security question. Source Link 

November 5, 2020

It’s a tempting snack in a two-pet household but dogs should not be eating cat food. It’s usually higher in protein and fat and that could give Fido an upset stomach. If your cat eats slower and leaves food in the bowl you can put it up where it’s accessible for the cat but out of reach for the dog. Source Link 

Need a new side hustle that won’t break a sweat? Rent out the stuff you’re not using. There are websites that help you rent your bike, boat, surfboard or paddleboat on a daily or weekly basis. And if you own acres of land you can rent out some of that space to campers who want a unique getaway spot. Source Link 

Tough choices about major decisions might be easier to live with if you simply flip a coin. A study found that people who go through with their coin flip choices were living happier lives six months later. If you don’t want to flip a coin try choosing the action that represents a change rather than continuing the status quo. Source Link 

November 4, 2020

How can you host an outdoor get-together with social distancing in colder weather? Use a backyard tent or gazebo or a garage with good airflow or plan a noon-time meet-up in a park on a sunny day. Keep it shorter, serve hot drinks and invite people who are taking pandemic precautions at work and at home. Source Link 

Wearing a face mask can come with the unwelcome side effect of dry eyes, but there are some simple ways to prevent it. Look for a mask that has a bendable wire along the top edge to mold to the bridge of your nose so your breath doesn't escape the top. You can also put a piece of paper surgical tape on the nose bridge or along the top of the mask. Source Link 

Your favorite soda drink can also be a handy cleaning supply. Use it to remove oil and grease stains from a driveway or as a powerful toilet bowl cleaner. You can also use soda to clean dirt from grout and stains from clothing, polish your jewelry and cut through baked-on grease stains in pots and pans. Source Link

November 3, 2020

 Most of us aren’t very good at picking strong passwords. Some of the biggest no-no’s are using names of sports teams, brands or pop culture references, or reusing passwords with slight variations. Instead, use a free password manager program that creates strong unique passwords and remembers them for you. Source Link 

This year, holiday travel may be over the river and through the woods to a hotel instead of grandmother’s house. In a survey, nearly half of families with children at home are opting for a personal vacation before the end of the year instead of a family visit. And a third say they’re not planning to celebrate the holidays at all. Source Link 

Spending time in nature can boost your mental health and now there’s evidence that a virtual experience may do the same thing. A study found that watching a nature-related TV show or experiencing nature in a virtual reality setting can promote mental wellness. Those facing limited outdoor access due to quarantine may benefit from a dose of digital nature. Source Link

November 2, 2020

 Here's how you can “clearly” improve the look of your refrigerator and maybe your waistline too. Put small items like yogurt cups in clear plastic bins so they don’t get lost in the back of a shelf. And keep fresh fruit and raw vegetables up front in a clear container so you can see your way to healthy snacking. Source Link

When it comes to building a bond with your cat, the eyes have it. Researchers found that pet owners who used a slow blink had cats that were likely to slow blink back and accept an extended hand. The slow blink was also a good way to build trust with cats that are new to a home. Source Link 

The consumer version of the top face mask used in healthcare may not measure up in protection. Testing found that seven out of ten KN95 masks produced in China don’t actually filter out 95 percent of tiny infectious aerosol droplets. But KN95 masks can provide better protection for people who don’t often come in contact with respiratory particles. Source Link