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EIGHT WAYS A GUY CAN SECURE A FIRST DATE | | Posted: | 2/5/2010 08:16:01 AM |
| Guys, if you're constantly getting turned down, make this weekend different. Here are eight ways for you to secure a first date . . .
#1.) HAVE FRESH BREATH. Chew some gum or a mint before you get face-to-face with her. If your breath smells like garlic or cigarettes, she won't want to talk to you.
#2.) DON'T FORGET TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF. When you ask her out, you want her first response to be "yes" . . . not "What's your name again?"
#3.) MAKE SURE SHE'S SINGLE. If she's not, it's a waste of time. And if she is, and she wants to go anyway, she's not the type of girl you want to start a relationship with.
#4.) BE CLEAR. A lot of guys aren't direct enough. Don't just ask if she wants to HANG OUT sometime. Use the word "date." Otherwise you'll both be sitting at dinner wondering if you're just friends.
#5.) HAVE A PLAN. Don't just ask if she wants to "do something." Ask her to do something specific. If you've already thought of something to do, she's more likely to say yes.
#6.) MAKE IT EASY ON HER. Either offer to pick her up, or choose a place that's close to where she lives. Don't make her take three subways or drive an hour to get there.
#7.) DON'T WAIT TOO LONG. If you meet in a casual setting once or twice, that's fine. But if you do it too many times before asking her out, she'll start thinking of you as a FRIEND . . . which is bad. And if you don't ask her out, some other guy will.
#8.) GIVE HER ADVANCED NOTICE. Don't ask her to do something the very next night. Give her at least three days to clear her schedule.
(TheFrisky.com) |
SEVEN WAYS TO BROWN-NOSE WITHOUT BEING OBVIOUS | | Posted: | 2/4/2010 08:43:04 AM |
| Sometimes it's good to suck up to your boss a little, but you have to be subtle. Here are CareerBuilder.com's seven ways to brown-nose without being obvious . . .
#1.) BE ON TIME. That includes getting to work on time, getting to meetings on time, and not leaving work early. It's a subtle way to show you care about the company.
#2.) BE SUPPORTIVE. Employees don't usually give their boss a pat on the back, but they should. Everyone needs one now and then. Even your boss. Just don't pretend that EVERY idea he has is a good one.
#3.) DON'T SPREAD RUMORS. Office gossip is inevitable, but you can refuse to participate. You don't want anything getting traced back to you. So if you hear something, don't repeat it.
#4.) ADD YOUR TWO CENTS. If you have an idea on how to improve something or increase efficiency, speak up. As long as it's clear you're not badmouthing your co-workers or trying to do your boss's job, he'll appreciate the honest feedback.
#5.) DON'T BE A TATTLE-TALE. The people you work with are bound to slack off every now and then. But don't report everything to your boss. That's what Dwight on "The Office" does, and even Steve Carell resents him for it.
#6.) DON'T BE ANNOYING. If you're constantly sending email updates and popping your head in the door, it won't earn you any respect. Your boss will just get sick of you.
#7.) REMEMBER, YOUR BOSS ISN'T A PROFESSIONAL COMEDIAN. If he tells a joke and it's not that funny, give him a polite chuckle and get on with your work. If you crack up at every single thing he says, it'll look phony.
(CareerBuilder.com) |
FIVE OFFICE FASHION TIPS FOR MEN AND WOMEN | | Posted: | 2/3/2010 08:44:50 AM |
| CareerBuilder.com has a list of five office fashion tips for men and women. Different offices have different dress codes, so all of these might not apply to you. But a few of them probably will. Here's the list . . .
#1.) ACCESSORIES. Women should wear 11 accessories or less. Simple is best, so if something's too big or obnoxious, don't wear it.
--Guys don't really wear accessories, but for those of you who do . . . you should have more fingers WITHOUT rings than with rings. And if you wear a watch, it should look professional. Which means it should have either a leather band or a metal band.
#2.) FACIAL APPEARANCE. Women should wear make-up that isn't over-the-top. So go easy on the red lipstick and eyeliner . . . and no glitter.
--For guys, showing up clean-shaven is always appropriate, and a well-groomed beard is okay too. But make sure you keep it trimmed. More companies allow the 'five o'clock shadow' these days, but it depends on where you work.
#3.) HYGIENE. This one's pretty obvious. Bathe regularly and brush your teeth. But one thing a lot of men and women BOTH do is use too much perfume or cologne. No one wants to smell you BEFORE they see you. And some people are allergic to it.
#4.) CLOTHING. Women have more options than guys do. You can wear skirts, dresses, pants, or a suit. Or if you don't have a strict dress code, you can get away with jeans.
--For guys, if the dress code is strict, wear a suit. If it's business casual, that means pants and a button-down shirt. And if it's REALLY casual, you can wear jeans and a t-shirt . . . but stay away from shorts. No one wants to see your legs, dude.
#5.) SHOES. Women are obsessed with the idea that shoes can make or break an outfit. Fine. But pick shoes that are PRACTICAL. That means they should look professional AND be comfortable.
--For guys, the safest thing is to stick with plain black or brown dress shoes, since they go with dressy clothes AND jeans. Just make sure you shine them every now and then.
(CareerBuilder.com) |
SEVEN THINGS TO AVOID AROUND A WOMAN WHO'S STILL SINGLE | | Posted: | 2/2/2010 08:18:21 AM |
| Single women are always being pressured to get married by their friends and family. Especially their parents. So don't add fuel to the fire. Here's a list from Oprah.com of the seven things you shouldn't do when dealing with a woman who's still single . . .
#1.) DON'T USE THE WORD "PICKY." If you tell her she's being too picky when it comes to guys, she'll take it as an insult. Plus, that's usually not the real issue.
#2.) DON'T THROW THE BOUQUET AT HER. Catching the bouquet at a wedding is fun the first time, but after that, it's embarrassing. So don't force her to do it, and don't throw a line-drive at her chest either.
#3.) DON'T TREAT HER LIKE A CHILD. Married people don't always treat single people like adults. She's single, not eleven.
#4.) DON'T QUESTION HER SEXUALITY. Just because she's single doesn't mean she's a lesbian. Kind of like how being married doesn't necessarily mean you're straight, gaywad. (???)
#5.) DON'T BE JUDGMENTAL. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, so don't pretend you're better than she is just because you have a ring on your finger. She doesn't want to end up in a bad marriage, which is probably one of the reasons she's still single.
#6.) DON'T RUB IT IN. There's a random statistic floating around the internet that goes like this: women over 40 have a better chance of being shot by a terrorist than making it to the altar. Obviously, that's not true. And it's especially not true these days, when even senior citizens are meeting on the Internet. See? I just 'rubbed it in.' That was bad. Don't do that.
#7.) DON'T REMIND HER SHE'S RUNNING OUT OF TIME. She's knows how her body works, and she's aware she won't be able to have kids forever. Telling her that a 74-year-old Ukrainian woman miraculously gave birth to triplets won't make her feel any better.
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Five mistakes to avoid when throwing a party | | Posted: | 1/29/2010 06:49:17 AM |
| If you're having people over, make sure you don't do something to ruin the vibe. Here's "Cosmo's" list of five mistakes to avoid when throwing a party . . .
#1.) INVITING PEOPLE TOO FAR AHEAD OF TIME. Don't invite people at the last minute, but don't invite them three months early either. They'll forget, and you don't want to send out a million reminders if you're calling or emailing people yourself.
--Just use Evite, and they'll send people reminders. If you're sending out invitations by mail, send them two weeks ahead of time if it's casual, and a month ahead of time if it's more formal.
#2.) HAVING TOO MANY SEATS. It sounds weird, but unless it's a dinner party, you don't need seats for everyone. Parties are always better if people are walking around and mingling. Cosmo says the magic number is one chair for every two people.
#3.) NOT DEALING WITH A BAD GUEST. If somebody gets too drunk and things get awkward, it's your job to deal with it. And it's okay to call a cab. If you let the person stay, everyone else will eventually leave.
#4.) FORGETTING TO CLEAN THE BATHROOM. It's the one thing everyone will use. So at least make sure the sink and the toilet are clean. And hide the stuff in your medicine cabinet that you don't want people to see.
#5.) PAYING FOR ALL THE BOOZE. Don't pay for the whole party. There's no shame in asking your guests to bring food or alcohol.
--"Cosmo" suggests making a list of all the stuff you'll need, then taking on the ones you can handle, and farming the rest out to your friends. (Cosmopolitan.com) |
Ten ways to get the best deal on a flight | | Posted: | 1/28/2010 08:25:33 AM |
| ABC News had the CEO of FareCompare.com do a list of the ten best ways to get a deal on a flight. And there's a lot of stuff on it you probably didn't know about. Here it is:
#1.) DON'T BOOK TOO LATE, BUT DON'T BOOK TOO EARLY. If you wait until the last minute, it costs a fortune. But you won't get the best price if you book too EARLY, either. Airlines keep the rates high until about four months before the flight.
#2.) BUY ON THE RIGHT DAY. Each airline announces its newest deals every Monday. And by Tuesday at lunchtime, all the other airlines have matched those prices. So Tuesday afternoon is usually the best time to buy.
#3.) FLY ON THE RIGHT DAY. The least popular flights have the cheapest tickets. So if you fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday, you'll almost always pay less.
#4.) FLY AT NIGHT. Red-eye flights take off at night and land the next morning. Most people don't like traveling that way, so those flights are cheaper. And flights that coincide with mealtimes are also less expensive.
#5.) COMPARE AIRPORTS. Flying out of one airport might cost twice as much as flying out of another. Generally, the biggest airports have the most flights, so they offer the best prices. Just make sure you don't have to drive too far to get there.
--If it's three hours away, it won't be any cheaper, because you'll have to spend more money on gas to get there.
#6.) PAY ATTENTION TO "PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE DATES." Just before the holidays last year, the airlines came up with a new way to make money . . . they added a surcharge for the most-popular holiday flights.
--So if you're flying somewhere for Valentine's Day or Spring Break, check FareCompare.com to see what each airline is charging. The surcharge is usually ten or twenty bucks each way.
#7.) TRAVEL DURING THE OFF-SEASON. Hawaii is nice all year, but the spring and fall are technically the off-season. And that's when flights are cheapest. The same goes for Europe too. You pay one price to fly in March, or $200 more to fly in April.
#8.) SIGN UP FOR AIRFARE ALERTS. Most of the websites let you sign up for email alerts that tell you when the new deals are posted. And you can even have them sent to your cell phone or Twitter account.
#9.) KNOW WHEN TO JUMP ON A DEAL. When you see a good deal, take it. It's the Internet, so you've got A LOT of competition. And it's not unusual for a deal to disappear while you're trying to book it.
#10.) KNOW WHEN TO GAMBLE. If you book a flight at the very last minute, you can get a great deal. When the airlines see that a flight isn't completely full, they slash the prices.
--But gambling on a flight deal only makes sense if you're flexible. If you HAVE to fly that day, don't risk it.
(ABC News) |
TEN WAYS LOSING TEN POUNDS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE | | Posted: | 1/27/2010 08:28:49 AM |
| Most people want to lose weight so they can LOOK better. But dropping a few pounds can do a lot more than that. Here are ten ways losing ten pounds can change your life.
#1.) IT REDUCES YOUR RISK FOR DIABETES. Losing ten pounds makes you HALF as likely to develop type-2 diabetes.
#2.) IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEART. For every one percent of body weight you drop, your chance of developing heart disease decreases by 1 to 2 percent.
#3.) IT CUTS YOUR RISK OF CANCER. Excess body fat is strongly linked to breast cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, gallbladder cancer, and pancreatic cancer. And the list is getting longer.
--According to some studies, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, and certain types of leukemia are also linked to obesity.
#4.) IT IMPROVES YOUR SEX LIFE. In a recent survey, 20 percent of people who were obese reported problems with their sex drive, or said they had difficulty performing in bed. That's compared to just 5 percent of other people.
#5.) IT STRENGTHENS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. In a study at Boston University, researchers infected mice with the bacteria that causes gum disease. And the fat mice were 40 percent more likely to have tooth decay.
#6.) IT PREVENTS ARTHRITIS. According to a recent study at Wake Forest University, losing one pound of weight actually translates into a FOUR-POUND reduction in the weight your knees have to lift every time you take a step.
--So if you lose TEN pounds, that's a total of 48,000 pounds per mile that your knees don't have to lift.
#7.) IT GIVES YOU MORE ENERGY. Ten pounds might not sound like that much, but lugging that extra weight around all day is exhausting for your body. And studies have proven that regular exercise gives your energy level a natural boost.
#8.) IT MAKES YOU MORE CONFIDENT. You'll look better, but that's not the only reason. Losing weight isn't easy, so it's something you can feel good about and be proud of.
#9.) IT HELPS YOU SLEEP. Losing ten pounds can significantly improve your back pain. And obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea.
#10.) IT COULD ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE. One-third of Americans are either moderately obese or severely obese. And an Oxford University study released last year found that moderate obesity reduces your life expectancy by about three years.
--Severe obesity reduces it by 10 years.
(Yahoo.com) |
Here are four diet tips to help you lose weight | | Posted: | 1/26/2010 07:08:08 AM |
| #1.) Start walking: The American Heart Association recommends you take 10,000 steps every day. That's like walking three miles a day. Or 1,095 miles a year.
--But while the average European walks about 237 miles a year, the average American walks just 87 miles a year. That's about 8% of how much you should be walking.
#2.) Eat slower: For most Americans, eating a meal involves stuffing their face with as much food as possible, as quickly as possible. But studies have shown that eating slowly can help you feel full quicker, which will prevent overeating.
#3.) Eat-in more: The average American eats more than half their meals at restaurants, while residents of the healthiest countries in the world eat out only on special occasions.
#4.) Be careful with tropical fruits: If you're trying to lose weight, eating more fruit is a good place to start. But watch out for tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut because they have the highest fat and sugar content of all fruits.
(That's Fit) |
SIX THINGS A GOOD BOYFRIEND WON'T ASK A WOMAN TO DO | | Posted: | 1/25/2010 07:14:14 AM |
| Most guys aren't as helpful around the house as they should be, and it can ruin a relationship. So guys, you need to step it up. Asking your girlfriend or wife to do little favors every now and then is okay. As long as it's not ALL the time.
--If you want to be a good boyfriend, here are six things you shouldn't ask your girlfriend to do.
#1.) MAKE YOU A SANDWICH. Guys, the refrigerator is 10 feet away. Unless you recently lost one or both of your hands, go make your OWN sandwich.
#2.) KEEP HER HAIR LONG. Long hair requires a lot of maintenance. Not to mention, it's hot and annoying. So if a woman decides to chop it all off, a GOOD boyfriend will tell her it looks GREAT.
#3.) BUY GIFTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY. When someone's birthday comes up, don't make your girlfriend pick out the gift just because you think she's "better at it" or "she likes it."
--She probably DOESN'T like it. Shopping for someone you don't really know isn't much fun, and there's a lot of pressure.
#4.) BE YOUR WAKE-UP CALL. If you're relying on your girlfriend to call and wake you up every morning, it's time to buy an alarm clock.
#5.) HANG OUT WITH YOUR EX. Some women don't mind making friends with a guy's ex-girlfriend, but the guy should never pressure her to do it.
#6.) LOSE WEIGHT. A good boyfriend will NEVER, EVER ask a woman to lose weight. Don't even bring up her weight in conversation. If she gained five pounds, she's well aware.
(YourTango.com) |
FIVE DATING MYTHS SINGLE WOMEN STILL BELIEVE | | Posted: | 1/22/2010 06:44:24 AM |
| The Huffington Post has a list of five dating myths single women still believe. Here it is. But let us know what you think. Do women really believe this stuff?
#1.) MEN ARE INTIMIDATED BY WOMEN. The article says women believe this one because it's easier than accepting that some guys just aren't attracted to them. So according to the article, it's a myth. But try telling that to an awkward teenager.
#2.) WOMEN LOVE GUYS WHO TREAT THEM LIKE CRAP. The Huffington Post article says it's a myth because it's only true for a small percentage of women. And women with high self-esteem don't date those types of guys because it's a waste of time.
#3.) IT'S WHAT'S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS. In reality, it depends on the relationship. A guy might fall in LOVE with a woman's personality, but that's not what grabs his attention at the BEGINNING of a relationship.
#4.) IF HE TEASES YOU, IT MEANS HE LIKES YOU. Sure, it's true for third-graders, but if a grown MAN does it, he's either not that into you, or he's playing games, which is essentially the same thing.
#5.) A WEEKDAY DATE IS THE SAME AS A WEEKEND DATE. Yep, this one's a myth. Weekend nights are much more valuable. And if he's not going out with YOU on Saturday night, he's either with someone else, or he's LOOKING for someone else.
(The Huffington Post) |
RECOVERING FROM A BAD DATE? HERE ARE 12 GOOD THINGS THAT COME FROM BAD DATES | | Posted: | 1/21/2010 08:40:06 AM |
| We’ve all had a bad date or two (or three or four…). If you say you haven’t you’re lying! Instead of sulking and having a self-pity party, turn that frown upside down by taking into account what you learn from bad dates! No, you’re not going to get those awful 3 hours back, but there are 12 things that you can get out of a bad date. Glamour Magazine has compiled the great things we learn from bad dates:
1. You learn what not to do. It’s amazing what people will do on a date: Passing gas so silent-but-violently, drinking too much, talking too much, flirting with someone else, etc. Even good old fashioned complaining is also a downer. Don’t do it!
2. You get dating practice. As the ol’ cliché goes, “A golfer can always improve his game.” Just got a bad visual of Tiger Woods by the way. YUCK!
3. You get a story to tell. Your married friends love to hear about your dating “adventures.” Sure, you don’t always love to recount them, but they do want to hear about them.
4. You could get a free meal. Who doesn’t love enjoying bottomless bowls of pasta, exotic appetizers, and bottles of red wine? Thanks, guys!
5. You may learn something. Most guys are more brushed up on their current events than you may be, so you may actually learn something.
6. You can network. If things don’t work out romantically, you could still make a valuable connection. You never know who he knows – either for jobs or for dating.
7. You get to feel pretty. A compliment is a compliment. So even if you’re having a bad date but the guy flatters you, hey, take it! Who doesn’t need a little ego boost?
8. You get out of the house. Walk fifteen blocks to the date, burn some calories. Anyway, did you really need to re-watch that episode of Jersey Shore for the seventh time?
9. You get to experience a new venue. When a guy suggests a fantastic restaurant or cozy bar, check it out. Then file it away in your brain for later; it is one more cool hang out in your back pocket.
10. You become more confident. If you feel intimidated by the dating scene, or by the opposite sex, all you have to do is meet another person who is more nervous or awkward than you, and you’ll feel like a dating professional!
11. You might get a hug. Who doesn’t need a little affection? Get a hug wherever you can, even if it’s from a guy you’re hugging for the first and last time!
12. You appreciate your next boyfriend so much more. Kiss a bunch of frogs and the right guy will be a prince. Plus, you’ll be so appreciative, you’ll treat him like one. |
8 WAYS SLEEP DEPRIVATION SERIOUSLY HURTS YOUR HEALTH | | Posted: | 1/20/2010 06:43:10 AM |
| When you get a good night’s sleep, everything feels right with the world. When you don’t, your mood is bad, your cravings are rampant, and your concentration is just plain off. If you skip the 7 to 9 hours experts advise, you can increase your risks of a host of ills – from catching the flu to developing heart disease and diabetes. If you’re not getting as much sleep as you need, here are a few health consequences that may have you rethinking bedtime (study conducted by the University of Chicago):
1. You crave junk food – Too-little sleep may throw off hormones that regulate appetite, increasing a taste for high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods and causing you to want more calories than your body needs. Over time, this can lead to weight gain.
2. You become a germ magnet - People who get less than 7 hours per night are 3 times likelier to catch a cold.
3. You’re less able to metabolize sugar - It’s the fuel every cell in your body needs to function. After just 6 days of sleep restriction, people develop resistance to insulin, the hormone that helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. Tests showed that participants who slept fewer than 6 hours a night and claimed to be “natural short sleepers” couldn’t metabolize sugar properly. This could lead to type 2 diabetes, a serious, on-the-rise chronic condition.
4. You’re in a never-ending stress storm – Inadequate shut-eye causes levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, to spike in the afternoon and evening – increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose and raising the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
5. You’re in a foul mood and your brain feels foggy – After a restless night, your reaction time decreases, making driving (among other activities) dangerous. Chronically tired people are also less happy. Sleep and mood are regulated by the same brain chemicals and can raise the risk of developing depression.
6. You look older – As anyone who’s pulled an all-nighter can attest, the consequences – pasty skin and dark circles – aren’t pretty. Even worse, increased cortisol levels may slow collagen production, promoting wrinkles. AHHHHH!!!
7. You feel achy – It’s no surprise that chronic pain (like that from back problems or arthritis) can make you toss and turn. But getting too little rest can cause or intensify pain, creating a vicious cycle. In one study, healthy young adults were awakened for 20 minutes every hour during an 8-hour period for 3 days in a row. The result: They had a lower pain tolerance and suddenly developed more pain during a lab test that exposed them to a cold stimulus.
8. You have a higher cancer risk – Exercise helps prevent cancer, but getting too little shut-eye may cancel out its protective effect. Researchers tracked nearly 6,000 women for about a decade and found that workout buffs who slept 7 or fewer hours per night had a 50% greater chance of developing cancer than exercisers who got more Zzzs – similar to the risk of non-exercisers. |
HERE ARE THE TOP SEVEN FASHION MISTAKES FOR GUYS TO AVOID | | Posted: | 1/19/2010 08:48:31 AM |
| I came across an article about the top eight men's fashion mistakes to avoid.
--Since I know nothing about fashion, I decided to check it out. And, to my surprise, I learned something . . .
#1.) The most interesting thing is this: There's something of a spending "hierarchy" when it comes to clothes. What I mean by that is when you're working out your clothing budget you should spend the most money on your SHOES.
--Then you should spend the second most on your WATCH . . . then JACKETS . . . then SHIRTS . . . then PANTS. .
#2.) Don't worry about what your friends will think. Make some changes, take some risks, and it'll show you have confidence.
#3.) Don't wear a dark dress shirt with a suit. You might THINK you can pull this look off, but chances are . . . you can't.
#4.) Don't wear dirty clothes. This seems like a no-brainer, but it's not. Guys, women WILL notice that small crusty ketchup stain you think is invisible. And they'll judge you for it. Sorry, but it's true.
#5.) Don't wear clothes that are too big. Even if you're trying to camouflage your gut. It doesn't matter how big you are: When your clothes are a size too large, it's just unflattering. And let's face it . . . you're not fooling anyone anyway.
#6.) Don't confuse "expensive" with "good-looking." That goes for all those ugly T-shirts that say stuff like "GUCCI" in huge letters. Sorry guys, it doesn't say "I have money." It says you're trying too hard. Oh, and you look ridiculous.
#7.) Don't confuse work and play. Whether it's hanging out, heading to work, or hitting the gym, take the time to dress for the occasion, and vary your look depending on what you're doing.
(Asylum) |
THE SIX MOST GERM-FILLED PLACES IN YOUR HOME | | Posted: | 1/18/2010 07:38:44 AM |
| Unless you're a complete slob, you probably want to make sure your home is as germ-free as possible. But germs are everywhere. Here's a list from Parents.com of the six most germ-filled places in your home. A few of them might surprise you . . .
#1.) YOUR CLOTHING. 95% of Americans use cold water to wash their clothes, and the average wash cycle is around 12 minutes. That won't kill any germs. So wash most of your laundry in hot water, and use bleach on your underwear if you can.
#2.) YOUR CARPET. If you're like the average American, your carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than your TOILET SEAT. Taking your shoes off at the door can help.
--And if you're COMPLETELY freaked out about it, they've started making vacuum cleaners with ultraviolet light technology that sterilize your floor while you clean.
#3.) YOUR SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS. Everyone uses them, but nobody ever cleans them. And a recent University of Virginia study found that salt and pepper shakers are one of the best places for viruses to linger.
#4.) YOUR KITCHEN SINK. It's actually dirtier than your bathroom. So use antibacterial cleanser on your sink after you prepare food in it, or do dishes. There are more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch in the drain alone.
#5.) YOUR REFRIGERATOR. Anywhere there's rotting food, there's bacteria. So if something goes bad, throw it out. You should also wipe down the refrigerator once a week, and give it a deep clean once a month.
#6.) YOUR BED. Whether you're sleeping, eating, or having sex in it, you're not alone. There are millions of germs all around you. Which is why you should wash your sheets once a week. And when you do, remember to use hot water.
(Parents.com) |
FIVE SIGNS YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS IN TROUBLE! | | Posted: | 1/13/2010 06:50:18 AM |
| If you're ever been blindsided by a break-up, you probably didn't pick up on the warning signs. Some are subtle, and some are not-so-subtle. To make sure it doesn't happen again, check out eHarmony's idiot-proof list of signs a relationship is in trouble . . .
#1.) YOU NEED SPACE. If one of you says, "I think we need space," it's a pretty clear sign that things aren't going well. It might just be a temporary break, but saying you need space usually means you're not clicking emotionally or physically.
#2.) YOU'RE AVOIDING EACH OTHER. Sometimes people avoid a break-up by avoiding the other person. If the other person never seems eager to talk when you call, they might just be preoccupied with other stuff, or they could be ready to move on.
#3.) YOU BRING UP PAST RELATIONSHIPS. If you criticize each other by saying things like "my last boyfriend wasn't such a slob," it means you think your relationship doesn't measure up. And you're probably not as invested in it as you should be.
#4.) YOU CONSTANTLY INSULT EACH OTHER. Throwing out insults and calling each other names are two of the biggest signs of disrespect in a relationship.
--If you've reached a point where you're TRYING to hurt each other's feelings, your relationship is in major trouble.
#5.) YOU'RE NOT COMMUNICATING. The only thing worse than insulting each other is not saying anything at ALL. If you've both stopped trying, your relationship has probably been doomed for a while.
(eHarmony.com) |
FIVE NASTY EATING HABITS TO AVOID | | Posted: | 1/12/2010 06:42:15 AM |
| Good manners are just as important as they've always been. But for some reason, a lot of nasty eating habits still persist. Here are five of the worst ones to think about before your next meal . . .
#1.) DOUBLE DIPPING. That "Seinfeld" episode with the 'double-dip' scene was a while ago, so here's a reminder: when you scoop some salsa or dip, take a bite, then scoop again, it's rude and unsanitary. So grab a new chip before you go back for more.
(--Here's that classic scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J3w4cS2MvM)
#2.) EATING WITH YOUR HANDS. Some foods are meant to be eaten with your hands, some aren't. So the next time you're tempted to pick up a piece of steak with your fingers . . . don't.
#3.) EATING TOO FAST. Shoveling food into your mouth as fast as possible is bad manners, and bad for digestion. And when you eat slowly, you tend to eat less.
<--This is what I'm SUPER guilty about!!!!
#4.) NOT WASHING YOUR HANDS BEFORE A MEAL. Before you put your hands anywhere NEAR your mouth, you should ALWAYS wash them. Especially during flu season.
--You pick up germs every time you touch a doorknob, shake someone's hand, or go to the bathroom.
#5.) CHEWING WITH YOUR MOUTH OPEN. Maybe you don't think it's annoying, but everyone else does. The only thing that's worse is TALKING while eating . . . because there's the very real possibility of PROJECTILES.
(Yahoo.com) |
SEVEN WAYS TO AVOID A HANGOVER BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER YOU DRINK | | Posted: | 1/8/2010 09:37:14 AM |
| The holidays are officially over, and with the five-day work week back in full swing, it's time to drown your sorrows with some heavy drinking. So "Real Simple" magazine put together a list of ways to avoid a hangover before, during, and after you drink.
--Some of them are kind of obvious, but some are sort of interesting. Here are a few . . .
BEFORE YOU DRINK . . .
#1.) EAT FATTY FOODS. Food delays the absorption of alcohol, but FATTY foods do it best because they line your intestines with grease, so the alcohol takes longer to absorb.
--Also, food that's high in fiber helps break down the booze and keeps it from reaching your bloodstream as quickly.
#2.) TAKE VITAMIN C. Most people know it's supposed to help prevent colds, but studies suggest that it can also prevent a hangover.
WHILE YOU'RE DRINKING . . .
#1.) DRINK BETTER LIQUOR. The cheap stuff isn't filtered as many times, so it has more congeners (-pronounced CON-je-ners). Congeners are impurities that form during the fermentation process, and they help cause hangovers.
#2.) AVOID CARBONATION. It makes your stomach expand, which makes you absorb more alcohol. It happens with beer, but the bubbles in champagne and tonic water are worse.
THE NEXT MORNING . . .
#1.) EAT EGGS. They have a chemical that helps your liver get rid of harmful free radicals, and you owe your liver some R&R after a big night.
#2.) EAT HONEY. That's what the National Headache Foundation recommends. Fructose helps your body metabolize the alcohol. Plus, honey has vitamin B-6 in it, and some studies say that helps reduce the effects of a hangover.
#3.) DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. One of the main reasons bad hangovers are so bad is you're SEVERELY dehydrated. Some symptoms of dehydration include, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue. Sound familiar?
(RealSimple.com) |
HERE ARE TEN SIGNS THAT *YOU'RE* THE ANNOYING CO-WORKER | | Posted: | 1/7/2010 06:43:58 AM |
| Every office has one . . . that clueless, annoying person who drives everyone else crazy. But have you ever thought about this?
--Maybe YOU'RE the annoying co-worker in your office. Here are ten ways to tell:
#1.) You give advice to everyone: Unless your co-workers ask for your advice, butt out. Why? Because who are you to give them advice anyway? Get over yourself.
#2.) You're always talking about the good old days: Offices are constantly changing. Always focusing on how the office used to be isn't doing anything to make it better now.
#3.) You get colorful with your language: Some topics of conversation just aren't appropriate for the office. You need to know where to draw the line.
#4.) You're always asking for favors: At first, your co-workers will be happy to help out. But if you've been working in the office for two years, and you still don't know how to make copies or send a fax, that's just lazy.
#5.) You always have to top the next person's story: We get it . . . your life is extremely exciting and, compared to you, we're all uninteresting and bland. At least in YOUR head.
#6.) You wear too much cologne or perfume: Your co-workers have no choice but to be around you all day long. Think about that the next time you're bathing yourself in Drakkar Noir.
#7.) You put the entire email in the subject line: There's a reason your email has a subject line and a body. Learn those reasons.
#8.) You always respond "K": If someone writes you an email or an IM, and your only response is to write "K," just do us all a favor and not write back at all. We'll assume you got the message without your pointless response.
#9.) You can't wait to go home . . . every day: By the end of the day, everyone wants to go home. But if you feel the need to announce your desire to leave every day, it's just going to annoy your co-workers and make them hate you.
#10.) You're always throwing office parties: First off, office parties aren't REAL parties. They force you to have awkward chit-chat with people you probably wouldn't hang out with otherwise, and they're disruptive when they happen all the time.
(CNN) |
FOUR MIRACLE DIETS THAT DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD | | Posted: | 1/6/2010 07:16:33 AM |
| If your New Year's resolution was to lose weight, then do it right. A healthy diet and exercise is the only way to lose weight and keep it off. So skip the "miracle diets." They usually do more harm than good. Here are four specific diets to avoid . . .
#1.) THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET. First of all, it's disgusting. But it's also really bad for you. It lacks the protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs. And a lot of people who do it feel light-headed and weak, or they have trouble concentrating.
#2.) THE GRAPEFRUIT DIET. It only works because it deprives your body of calories, just like the cabbage soup diet. But you're also supposed to drink a lot of caffeine with the grapefruit, which can make you dehydrated.
--And most people who start the grapefruit diet don't finish it.
#3.) THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD DETOX DIET. You're allowed to drink highly nutritious cocktails of raw vegetables and soup, but that's it . . . no REAL food. And even though vegetables are good for you, eating ONLY vegetables is kind of like living with a mild eating disorder. Plus, as soon as the diet is over, you'll gain it all back.
#4.) THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR DIET. Sailors drank apple cider vinegar to cure scurvy. But now it's sold as an appetite suppressant. And the acidity level is so high that the recommended dose is just shy of the amount needed to damage your stomach.
--Plus, it's so disgusting that it makes you not want to eat. And the REAL reason the diet works is, you're supposed to eat in moderation and work out every day while you're on it.
(Yahoo.com) |
Five things women hate to do in front of men | | Posted: | 1/5/2010 07:15:52 AM |
| Women want men to think that they're ALWAYS cute and ladylike . . . but obviously that's not the truth. Here are five things women hate doing in front of men . . .
#1.) EATING MESSY FOOD. Especially when they first start dating you. That's why a lot of women order stuff that's bite-sized and sauce-free on a first date.
#2.) PASSING GAS. Guys, if you smell something and it wasn't you, just blame it on the dog . . . even if you don't have one.
--And when it comes to going "number two," women can wait DAYS if they need to.
#3.) STALKING PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK. Women use Facebook to stay in touch with friends . . . but they ALSO use it to find out who's gained the most weight since high school, and who their exes are currently dating.
#4.) WORKING OUT. Most women don't like working out in front of guys because they don't like people checking them out when they feel sweaty and disgusting. But they still know they're being checked out . . . which is exactly why guys LOVE the gym.
#5.) WATCHING TV SHOWS. Some of the stuff women watch is really awful. And most women know it, which is why they prefer watching their soap operas and reality TV by themselves.
(Guyism.com) |
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