✚Helpful Hints #7

HEALTH and WELLNESS

MEN ARE YOU PRONE TO GALLSTONES?

Then how about going meatless at least once a week?  Research has shown men who consume large amounts of the type of iron abundant in red meat have a 21% higher risk of developing the stones.

A GOOD REASON TO ENJOY WINE WITH DINNER.
To help stop a cold before it starts just sip one glass daily and you'll be 40% less likely to catch a cold more than teetotalers - even if you smoke, have allergies or are constantly exposed to sniffling, sneezing children!  Why?  Flavonoids - powerful plant compounds found in grape skins - actively combat rhinoviruses, the major cause of the common cold, say researchers.

BEAUTY and FASHION

PUFFY EYES?

Place a chilled spoon over each eye for 10 minutes.  The coolness reduces swelling so your eyes look pretty and rested!

CHAPPED LIPS?
Smooth on olive oil.  Dry skin soaks it up like a sponge, leaving lips soft and protecting them from the environment.

HOME and AUTO
TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY IN YOUR CAR:

• If you drive an automatic, and you have an "economy setting" - keep your car in economy mode.  If you drive a manual transmissioned vehicle, you can improve efficiency by not "revving" out the gears, but by doing the opposite - shift as early as is safe, so as not to stall the engine, and to allow a safe rate of acceleration. You engine required far less fuel this way.
• That cool roof rack or bike rack is costing you dearly if you carry it around when it's not being used. Wind resistance is greatly increased when you add an "extremity" to the carefully sculpted shape of your car or truck.
  Remove the roof racks, racing wings, sports flags, extra ladders or tools, or anything else that is protruding from your car or truck. Keep your car clean, and even wax it for the smoothest finish possible to slice easily thru the air. 
• Driving 80mph on the highway uses 10%-20% more fuel than driving 70mph, and only saves you a few minutes for most trips. Driving 70mph on the highway uses 20%-30% more fuel than driving 55mph. It's not hard to see that the wind resistances increases substantially above 60mph. If you have time to get where you are going, move to the right, and simmer down in the slow lane, knowing that you're saving money and fuel the whole way.

SEX and RELATIONSHIPS
SEX FACT #3
A U.K. study found that most men prefer women with some curves to super-skinny waifs.

TELL YOUR HUSBAND WHAT YOU REALLY THINK!
You may think keeping quiet during arguments with your mate is helping your marriage by keeping the peace.  But piping up could save your life!  That's the news from researchers who found that wives who hold in their feelings are four times more likely to die prematurely than wives who freely air their views!

PETS AND ANIMALS
CUT PET BOWL-CLEANUP TIME IN HALF!
If you're sick of scraping crusty leftovers from your animal's dish, spray the inside with a light coating of cooking spray before adding his food.  The slick base will prevent the chow from sticking to the bottom of the bowl, so all you'll have to do between feedings is wipe and rinse for a spotless result.

CLIP A FRISKY FELINE'S CLAWS WITH EASE!
When it comes to nail-clipping time, your cat goes ballistic.  To the rescue:  clothespins.  First, approach the feline when she is relaxed.  Then attach four clothespins down the scruff of her neck.  The pins mimic her mother's grip (while leaving both of your hands free), which will instantly soothe her for a stress-free grooming session.

MONEY and FINANCE
MONEY LESSONS - FOR KIDS!

Helping your kids with money now could put them on the path to riches as they grow up, says financial guru Linda Y. Leitz, CFP, M.B.A.  Her advice:

• Give them their own money.  Allowances help children gain financial independence - try $1 per year of age (so a 10-year-old gets $10 a week).  teens can also open a bank account to teach them to budget.
• Do some comparison shopping.  Young children don't always know how much things cost, but you can help them by comparing items they like.  For example, with $1, they can buy candy and get change, or an ice cream for the whole dollar.  Studies show kids who can gauge values are more financially responsible later.

DO YOU TEND TO BE LEFT-BRAINED OR RIGHT?
TRY THIS THUMB TEST TO FIND OUT!

Interlock the fingers of your hands, and place one thumb on top of the other.

Analysis:
The brain works in two general modes. In one mode (often called ‘right-brained’), it is more intuitive, visual, and creative. In the other (often called ‘left-brained’), it is more logical, sequential, and language based. In many ways, it is like having an artist and accountant arguing in your head, and you keep flipping between the two.

All of us work in both modes, but everyone naturally tends towards one or the other.

People who place their right thumb on top of their left thumb tend to be left-brain dominant, and are thus more verbal and analytical. Those placing their left thumb on top of their right thumbs tend to be a right-brain dominant, and thus excel in visual, spatial and intuitive tasks.








Resource(s):
Reader's Digest magazine, tesh.com, Consumer Reports magazine, The Oprah magazine, Womans World magazine, Men's Health magazine, Quirkology.com, Best Health magazine, homesafe.com, Money magazine, Macleans magazine, Better Homes and Garden magazine