My Personal Top Song of Each Month!

January... Bruno Mars - Grenade 
February... Katy Perry - Firework 
March... Lady Gaga - Born This Way 
April... Jessie J - Price Tag 
May... Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull - On the Floor 
June... Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo - Give Me Everything 
July... OneRepublic - Good Life 
August... Anjulie - Brand New Chick 
Septmber... Selena Gomez - Love You Like a Love Song 
October... David Guetta ft. Usher - Without You 
November... LMFAO- Sexy and I Know It 
December... Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris - We Found Love

Donating and Recycling in One Nifty Package!

I love getting presents, heck who doesn't!? But what I don't like is the amount of garbage that the packaging leaves behind.

You buy a tiny little USB stick and it's in a plastic sleeve... which is in a plastic container to display it... which is in a box.... which is covered by wrapping paper.

While there's not much we can do about how companies package our goodies, we CAN recycle. Last year in the US alone there was 71.6 million tons of waste just from packaging! That's insane!

There's a new recycling program that I think is really neat! Garnier is sponsoring the 'Personal Care and Beauty Brigade' campaing through TerraCycle.

What it is... you mail in your used beauty lot such as shampoo bottles, lipstick containers, make-up packages etc. and they recycle it into stuff like cutting boards and bike racks!

PLUS! For each item you send in, you'll receive either points for a charity gift OR cash for the charity or school of your choice!

It's FREE to join and THEY PAY THE SHIPPING!

So check it out for yourself! www.terracycle.net

A Note from the RCMP

The busiest retail season of the year has already begun and with an increase in financial transactions comes an increase in opportunities for fraud artists. This year, keep your holiday shopping joyous by taking a few extra precautions.

Shopping in person:

• Even though you will be rushed and thinking about a thousand things, try to remain alert to your surroundings.
• When paying with a credit or debit card, never lose sight of your card. Whenever possible, swipe your card yourself rather than giving it to the cashier.
• Always shield your PIN when entering it. Don't be embarrassed – you're not insulting anyone.
• Do not keep a written record of your bank PIN number(s) or your social insurance number in your wallet or hand bag.
• If you suspect anything unusual when using a point-of-sale terminal (pin pad) or an ATM, do not use the machine and report it immediately to the police or the financial institution.

Shopping on-line:

• Shop only from your home computer and equip it with the latest web browser. Using your home computer is much safer than shopping at a terminal in an internet café or library.
• If you plan to buy something, go directly to a store's website by manually typing its address into your web browser. Don't click on links in an e-mail message even if you know who sent it.
• Verify secure connections. When shopping on-line, do not enter any financial information if you see a broken-key or open padlock symbol on your Internet browser. This means the transaction is not secure and could be intercepted by a third party. When the key is complete or the padlock is locked, your browser is indicating a secure transaction.
• Consider using a reliable third-party payment company such as PayPal, a credit card with a low credit limit or a single-use payment card.
• Unlike secure order forms on a web site, e-mail messages are not private. Do not send confidential personal or financial information by e-mail.
• When browsing auction sites or unauthorized retail websites, be cautious of drastic sale prices on sought-after designer items and popular electronics. The legitimate goods are rarely discounted.
• Monitor your bank and credit card and statements on-line. Electronic statements allow you to review your purchases and payments as they happen rather than waiting until the end of the month to review your paper statement. Immediately report any discrepancies to your bank or to the company that issued the credit card.

Other tips:

• Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or office.
• Shred or otherwise destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and any documents containing personal information when they're no longer needed.
• Do not provide personal information such as your SIN, date of birth, credit card numbers, or PIN over the telephone or via e-mail. There are more secure methods for providing this valuable information when it is legitimately required.
• Avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions. Criminals involved in this type of scam typically offer you an instant prize or an award for the purpose of obtaining personal information, such as your credit card numbers.

This holiday season, be a Scrooge with your personal information. If, despite your best efforts, you feel you've been victimized by a scam or a fraud, you should report it immediately to the police service of jurisdiction in your area.

Fighting Off Colds

It seems people are succumbing to sickness faster than Winnie the Pooh eats honey these days. Everytime I'm near someone sneezing and hacking I'm afraid I'll be next!

So this holiday season, stay away from a nasty cold by following these steps.

* Wash Your Hands frequently and if you're drying up like a prune, keep a little bottle of lotion at your desk or in your purse.

*Use a humidifier. Scientists say the moisture captures viruses and then falls to the floor.

*Skip That 2nd Wobbly Pop. Those holiday beverages impair your white blood cells ability to combat viruses for up to 24 hours after!

* Sleep More (no need to ask me twice!). Not enough sleep produces proteins in your body which trigger cold symptoms.

* Lastly, Eat Your Fruits and Veggies! They help to keep your immune system pumping.

I Keep Losing Things

If you're anything like me, you would have lost your head a long time ago if it wasn't attached! Ask my mother, all my life I've misplaced things which have lead me to missing the bus, getting locked out of the car, and having my house look like a tornado swept through it.

A while ago, I read an article on how to stop my annoying habit of losing stuff, and so far, it's working! (OK maybe not on Black Friday when I locked myself out of my car, but that was at 6am with no coffee.)

So if this article has helped me, maybe it can help ya too! Follow these steps.

* Make a mental image. Your brain remembers images better than anything else, so take a mental snap!
* Use your cellphone alarm to remind you to start packing up early for lunch, the kids, at the hotel... wherever... (plus with the alarm on, you'll be able to find your phone!)
* Place items together. Like your umbrella with your shoes or scarf beside your purse.
* Put it to music. Everytime I leave the house I do a little dance and say wallet, keys, phone, glasses.
*Lastly! Carry less crap! Make sure everything you take along with you is necessary... dump the rest!

My Top 10 for November!

10. R.I.O. ft. U-Jean - Turn This Club Around

9. David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj – Turn Me On

8. Jennifer Lopez – Papi

7. Hot Chelle Rae ft. New Boyz- I Like It Like That

6. Havanna Brown ft. Pitbull – We Run the Night

5. Theory of a Deadman – Out of My Head

4. Far East Movement Ft. Mohombi - She Owns The Night

3. Massari and Edward Maya- Dancing For Your Life

2. Iffy – Do You

1. The Wanted – I’m Glad You Came

What to Eat Late at Night

Some of the ladies and I are on a friendly competition diet, and I find I always get hungry late at night. Experts always say that eating late is a big no-no but I can't sleep when my tummy is louder than thunder storm!

So after a little research, I've found that the best things to grab at night are 100-150 calorie snacks that have fibre and protein.

Some good options include:
- a cup of strawberries and a dozen almonds
- a slice of whole wheat toast (or 5 whole wheat crackers) with peanut butter
- 2 cups of popcorn may not have much nutrients, but it will satisfy the need to munch

Smell Your Way to Slim!

Ladies, if you're looking for a new scent, and dudes if you're looking for a nice perfume for Chritsmas, stay away from sweet and 'foodie' scents!

A new study suggests sweet and delectable lotions and sprays can actually encourage you to indulge on sweets!

Women who wore a chocolate scented body lotion ate way more chocolate then women who didn't.

So if you want to play it safe this holiday season, try trading sugary fragrances for fruity, floral or spicy ones.

Best Guitarist Ever

So I know we don't play most of these artists, but I do love my rock too. And I thought it was neat enough to pass along to you!

Today, Rolling Stone magazine released their list of the greatest guitar players in history which was compiled by a panel of music experts and top guitar players.

The panel of experts included musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Brian May and Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys, along with a selection of Rolling Stone's senior writers and editors.

The full list will be featured in a special issue with four special covers of Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page, and will be on newsstands and online at www.rollingstone.com on Friday. Rolling Stone's top 10 greatest guitarists follow:

1. Jimi Hendrix

2. Eric Clapton

3. Jimmy Page

4. Keith Richards

5. Jeff Beck

6. B.B. King

7. Chuck Berry

8. Eddie Van Halen

9. Duane Allman

10. Pete Townshend

And... But... How to tell if you'll last with your guy!

Researchers from Northwestern University say if you count up how many times you and your man use the words and, but, and for in a conversation, you'll know your compatability. If the number of times he says those words is close to the number of times you say them, there's a high chance that you're a good match. Quite a random study on relationship compatibility if you ask me, but hey, students need something to do!

So how'd they come to this conclusion? They observed 187 subjects speed dating and correctly predicted which couples would be a match at the end of the event. They also read instant message conversations and again, made accurate predictions, this time about who would be together after three months and who wouldn't. And lastly, the team analyzed letters between famous couples, such as Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, and the similarities or lack of similarities of small word use in their exchanges backed up the researchers' conclusions.

A REAL Terminator Eye? Sweet!

Scientists have developed a prototype contact lens that could one day provide us with texts, emails, even the news! It would simply appear in front of our eyes, generated by a computerised contact lens.

It could also be used to display directions and TV programmes.

The lenses, which would be inserted and removed like normal contacts, could also be handy if you are outdoors, allowing you to zoom in on distant views. (Which could also be creepy in my opinion.)

The thought of all this info right infront of our eyes makes me wonder how our brains would handle it, but researchers insist all the components are tiny and the normal field of vision will not be obstructed.

Just a few questions from me:
How do you turn it off and on? Will it be 3D (and possibly cause dizziness and other side-effects people get from 3D)? How will police be able to monitor this for drivers?

Plus! A bionic eye that could restore the sight to the blind is being tested on Britons. Small-scale trials on the Continent have already produced ‘quite astonishing’ results. The tiny implantable microchip allowed men and women who thought they would never be able to see again to read a clock and identify everyday objects. Nifty!

Surprising things that give ya Headaches!

Ever been struck by an awful headache and not known why? Maybe your high heels or even a ham sandwich could be the cause.

However if they're severe and very frequent please consult a doctor.

Mobile Phones - With smartphones becoming widely used to do everything from checking emails to reading books and watching TV shows, the small screens are putting our eyes under great strain which leads to headaches.

Lack of Sleep - Over 1,200 migraine sufferers were tested in a study at the Headache Center of Atlanta where they found that those who slept for about six hours a night or less were more likely to suffer from more frequent and severe headaches than those who had more sleep.

High Heels -While there may not be any scientific or biological evidence that wearing high heels can trigger a migraine, muscular tension that heels put on your back can lead to migraines.

Ponytails - Sure it's great when you're having a bad hair day but a tight ponytail or even braids and headbands can strain the connective tissue in the scalp causing pain.

Jogging - Known as 'exertion headaches', any type of physical exertion, such as jogging or pounding a treadmill, causes blood vessels in the head, neck and scalp to swell, producing a build-up in pressure.

Sex - Although quite rare this type of headache is known as a coital headache, where sharp pain in the head occurs almost instantaneously at the moment of orgasm.

Ham - Food triggers are notorious for bringing on a migraine and it might surprise you to know that ham is one of them. Ham contains tyramine, which is a compound known as an amine found in many foods, produced from the natural breakdown of the amino acid, tyrasine. Tyramine can cause blood vessels to dilate and increase blood flow to the brain, triggering headaches.

Going to the Hair Dresser - Having your hair washed lying back over a basin puts your neck in an awkward position which stimulates one of the nerves that brings on a dull headache that could last a couple of days.

Perfume - Strong odours activate the nose's nerve cells, this in turn stimulates the nerve system associated with head pain causing headaches to those with a strong sense of smell.

Coughing - This type of headache is caused by the build-up of pressure in the brain and can be triggered by not only coughs but things like blowing your nose or even sneezing.

Found on Lifestyle MSN.

Moustache Need-to-Knows!

Did you know? ... Seven-time Olympic gold medal winner Mark Spitz grew a moustache in college because his coach told him he couldn't. It took him four months and became a personal accomplishment.

Moustache Experts rank Sam Elliot's the BEST EVER. Writers Jon Chattman and Rich Tarantino spent years researching moustaches to pick only the top-notched lip sweaters for their book Sweet 'Stache: 50 Badass Moustaches and the Faces Who Sport Them. Their highly scientific ‘stache analysis considers a moustache’s cultural relevance, hair quality, style, length, creativity, and ranks it on a scale from 1 to 10. Sam Elliots graying mutton-chop lip scores the book’s only perfect 10.

The oldest portrait of a 'Stache is from 300 BC. While shaving with stone razors dates back to Neolithic times, the oldest image of a man with a moustache is a Scythian horseman from 300 B.C. The art piece, appropriately titled “Horseman,” is a Pazyryk felt artifact of a horseman with a thick, upward-curving moustache and partially shaved head.

The World Beard and Moustache Association holds a competition to honor the top international facial hair! Competitors can enter the moustache categories: Natural Moustache, English, Dali, Imperial Moustache, Hungarian, and Freestyle.
There is also a Partial Beard division:
Natural Goatee, Chinese, Musketeer, Imperial, Sideburns Freestyle, and Partial Beard Freestyle.
And a Full Beard category: Verdi, Garibaldi, Natural Full Beard, Natural Full Beard with Styled Moustache, and Full Beard Freestyle.

According to the Guinness World Records 2009, Badamsinh Juwansinh Gurjar of India holds the record for longest moustache. His moustache measures a staggering 12.5 feet and has been growing it for 29 years! Another Indian, Ram Singh Chauhan of Rajasthan, registered a moustache at 11.5 feet and Kalyan Ramji Sain started growing his in 1976. By 1993, it reached a span of 11.1 feet. It seems like moustache growing is India’s national pastime.

Found on Askmen.com

5 Photos to keep to Yourself

I've noticed a lot of people posting inappropriate pictures on facebook. This doesn't just include nude ones, but ones users don't realize could actually harm them! So here's the 5 worst photos to post from Upgrade Your Life.

1. Don't post pictures showing personal data

Strangers and hackers aren't the only threat; people you know can steal your identity, too.

* Don't post any images with any identifying information whatsoever. No driver's licenses, marriage certificates, leases, or passports. You may think that's obvious, but do an image search and you'll see plenty of newly married couples, proud teen drivers, and world travelers posting high resolution pics of their documents.
* Even if you think your photos are private, more people might be able to see them than you think. On Facebook, friends of friends might be able to see photos tagged of you, if the photo's owner has the setting enabled.

2. Disable location services and geotagging

Cameras are increasingly sophisticated — even the ones on your phones. As you snap pictures, many cameras record information called EXIF data or metadata, including the camera's make & model, settings like speed and aperture, and the time the photo was taken. While much of this is helpful, it's just good for you to know you may be posting this info with a photo. Probably the biggest issue with embedded photo data is geotagging: when a GPS-enabled camera, memory card, or cell phone camera pinpoints your exact location in the metadata — even without your knowledge. Some social networking services strip that data out, but others include it — which mean you've essentially posted your home address online for anyone who knows how to view the geotagging data.

If your device includes this geodata as the default option, you'll need to disable it in your settings. If you're working with a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR, you can find this through the settings menu on your camera — just look for a menu mentioning "geotagging," "location" or "geodata" and to be sure the feature isn't enabled.

Turn off geotagging on Android and iPhone
To disable geotagging on an Andriod device, open the camera app and be sure the "geo-tag photos" box in the settings menu is unchecked. On an iPhone, hit the settings icon, click on "location services" from the menu, find "Camera" and move the slider from On to Off.

3. Incriminating photos

Employers are increasingly hopping on the web to research potential new hires. Many businesses search the web for information about their prospective or current employees. Now, background checking companies like Social Intelligence Corp. have capitalized on this kind of job vetting. The FTC recently ruled that such companies can store your long-deleted online indiscretions for up to 7 years!

* Resist the urge to post "party photos" on social networks. And yes that means no pics with the red keg cup in hand, even if you were only drinking water.
* Keep the way you'd like to be perceived professionally in mind when choosing a profile picture.
* If friends tag you in an incriminating Facebook photo, untag yourself!

4. Cut out poorly cropped photos

While it's no security risk, there's little reason to choose Facebook profile photo with a stray arm or shoulder in it. If you're looking to meet people online on a dating site or social network, make the effort to choose a profile that features you, without the distraction of half of someone else in the picture. That someone else could distract anyone who looks at your profile — who is it? Where was it taken? Is that your ex? But keeping the focus on you is easy, thanks to free apps.

Improve your photos with these free tools
Photos editing services like Piknik or DrPic, can make cropping a snap. There's no need to use Microsoft Paint to edit a photo — if you need to tinker around with a shot, use one of these free services.

And pick an interesting one — you'll be far more likely to strike up a conversation with a potential match if your photo shows you doing something interesting, like playing the guitar or scuba diving.

5. Avoid webcam profile photos

To get a good shot of yourself, you're better off using any kind of point-and-shoot camera, a DSLR for the best image quality, or even your phone.

For a flattering outdoor photo, avoid the high-noon sun. Instead either take your own photo — or better yet, recruit a friend's help — during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Found on Yahoo.com

What your doodles say about you!

Emotional people who want harmony and crave affection tend to use rounded shapes and curved lines. Down-to-earth, practical types tend to use straight lines and squares. Determined people will use corners, zigzags and triangles, while more hesitant types use light, sketchy strokes.

A large doodle shows a person is confident and outgoing, while a small one suggests the person prefers to observe rather than participate.

If you tend to draw...

Faces

The expression on a doodled face is often a good indication of the mood or character of the person who has drawn it. A nicely drawn, good-looking face suggests you see the good in others. If you sketch weird or ugly faces, you are probably mistrustful.

Comic faces demonstrate a desire to be the centre of attention. Child-like doodles of faces suggest neediness. Profiles indicate you’re an introvert.

Checker Board

The black and white chequerboard doodle suggests patience and persistence. Perhaps you are weighing-up various options regarding a tricky situation?

It’s also the favourite doodle of people who are prone to mood swings.

Flowers

Soft, rounded petals around a circular flower centre suggest an amiable, family-centric person.

If the centre of your flower is a circle, but your petals are pointy, you are probably hiding a warm heart behind a prickly defensiveness.

If you doodle a bunch of perky-looking flowers you are likely to be sociable. Drooping flower heads, on the other hand, indicate you’re burdened by worry.

Hearts

Obviously a romantic doodle. Drawing a heart indicates you’re in love with love.

Intricate Patterns

Busy, highly-detailed doodles are often drawn by people with an obsessive nature, who simply will not let go of their ambitions or loved ones. This type of drawing is often a favourite with extreme introverts.

Stairs and Ladders

Symbols of ambition and a willingness to work your way methodically ‘up the ladder’ in life, drawings of stairs and ladders also often indicate you have an important, long-term task in hand. They can represent a spiritual quest, too, perhaps a desire to be happier or more relaxed.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2036328/What-doodles-really-say-Arrows-ambition-flowers-family.html#ixzz1XlIdykQJ

How to Deal With Morning Troubles

Kids just don’t have that same sense of urgency as their parents. When they feel they’re being forced to move quickly, they often don’t move as quickly. It’s a power struggle to get kids out of the house on time for school! So here's some ways to ease the morning stress!

Get them up

First, try to get up on the right side of the bed — start the day with a “Hi, sweetie, how are you?” and a little hug. No orders, no “hurry up,” just that. It’s more respectful, and it’s setting the tone.

Having trouble getting sleepyheads out of bed?Give kids the responsibility of setting their own alarms and getting up on time. If you can manage it, allow kids to experience the natural consequences of sleeping in, such as a late slip or seeing the principal, rather than writing a note. Sometimes that does a lot more to solve the problem than anything we can do.

Get them fed
We know — it’s the most important meal of the day. But is it worth fighting over? Experts say no. Some children aren’t hungry in the morning and they do better to have a sandwich, apple or muffin on the way to school. In order not to fight, say, ‘This is breakfast time. Here’s the food, and it’s up to you if you’re going to eat it or not. But when the clock shows this time, either breakfast is over, or you put it in a baggie and bring it with you.’” By giving kids the choice, the power struggle is avoided.

Get them dressed
Lay out clothes the night before, with your child’s stamp of approval, and as early as possible, encourage children to dress themselves, with clothes that are easy to put on.

What if your child dawdles or refuses to get dressed? Put their clothes in a bag and take them to school. If they want to change, they will!

Get them moving
Younger kids often respond well to checklists, with photos of their tasks in chronological order so that they can tick each one off.

Keep in mind, too, that dawdling is a great way to get a parent’s attention. So remove yourself as the source of attention. Standing at the door and declaring that it’s time to go, or that you’re waiting in the car, will often light a fire under your child.

Get them inspired
It’s not your role to ensure everything gets done, your role is to train the kids to do it on their own. Brainstorm ideas for a morning routine that works for everyone, including what’s for breakfast and what time everyone must be out the door. Then the kids know the expectations, and they’ve had a say.

Found on MSN Liefstyle

Kids lieing is a sign of Higher Thinking

A study out of U of T, says not to worry about kids' lies; they will not turn into pathological liars, it is a developmental milestone. According to the research, one-fifth of two-year-olds lie; half of three-year-olds lie and almost 90 percent of four-year-olds lie. The curve peaks at age 12 and decreases by age 16, where 'only' 70 percent of 16-year -olds lie.

Lies come out of children's mouths for a variety of reasons:

• Fear. When kids are scared of the consequences of their actions, they often lie to cover up. (Are the rules too strict? Are the limits too tight? Does your child feel free to talk with you?)
• To protect somebody else.
• Because the truth is boring.
• To avoid an unpleasant task.
  
• By mistake. Sometimes lies seem almost involuntary, and a lie just slips out, especially if your child gets caught in a misdeed.
  
• For love, for approval, and because kids like to impress people quickly and effectively.

Lie Prevention Techniques (And That's the Truth!)

No, you can't keep your children from lying, but you can make lying a less rewarding activity. Many lies come from self-protection, and you can help by not creating a situation where your kid feels pressured to lie or suffer the consequences.

• Keep the conversation focused on what happened or what the problem is, rather than casting blame.
• Don't cross-examine (“After you left school, which route did you take home? And this was at precisely 3:10 p.m.?”), forget the fierce white lights and the sleep deprivation techniques. Remember that the object of talking with your child is to communicate. Grilling will make him close down, not open up, to you.
• Looking for the positive intent? Lies are a misguided survival technique.
• Lies are easy to slip into, and even easier to compound themselves, lie upon lie.
  
• When your kid has misbehaved, don't trap him into a lie, or set him up in a no-win situation. Confronting him with leading questions is more likely to elicit a lie than talking calmly with him about what happened.
  

Behave Yourself!

Grilling is for barbecues, not children.

• The truth is hard to tell. It's risky to confess (and risk is always hard). If your child confesses a misdeed to you, you need to 1) thank him for the truth, and give him positive reinforcement for his bravery and his sense of ethics, and then 2) deal with the misdeed by applying appropriate consequences. Doing step 2 but not step 1 is as bad a mistake as doing step 1 without step 2. He needs to have positive feedback for telling the truth and he needs consistent consequences. The positive feedback will make the consequence easier to take, and help build his ethical sense.
• Don't reprimand your child for telling the truth.
• Before you talk with your kid about a lie he's told, make sure that he did lie. A false accusation, or not believing a child when he is telling the truth, can devastate.

Found on FamilyEducation.com

Other reasons for a full tummy!

Waistband suddenly feeling tight? It might not just be that you’ve eaten too much. You could be suffering from stomach bloat, which can be triggered by anything from fluctuating hormones to eating reheated pasta.

Often, bloating is caused by irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that affects a staggering one in seven people (caused by an oversensitive gut).

While most people’s stomachs may swell just a couple of inches, others can actually double in girth in just one day, only to ‘deflate’ overnight until the next attack.

So what can you do about it?

RE-HEATING FOOD

For some people, they only get tummy trouble or bloating when they eat pasta, rice or potatoes in a restaurant. This is often because these foods have been re-heated.

It seems re-heating starchy food changes its molecular structure, turning it into ‘resistant starch’. This cannot be digested in the small intestine but passes into the large intestine — the bacteria that helps break it down produces gas, hence the bloating.

Processed foods such as ready meals and part-baked breads such as baguettes also tend to have more resistant starch.

FLUCTUATING HORMONES

Hormonal fluctuations during a woman’s monthly cycle are a common trigger for bloating. But while many women might put it down to ‘fluid retention’, the cause is actually relaxed muscles. During ovulation, the ovaries produce more progesterone and it causes muscles in the abdomen to relax. The muscles in the bowel also relax, meaning they are less efficient at moving food along the gut. This can cause constipation, triggering further bloating. It’s possible to overcome this by eating more fibre.

CHEWING GUM

When you chew gum you swallow more air, which increases the risk of bloating. Sugar-free versions are worse as they contain ingredients which are fermented by bacteria in the gut and may also cause bloating — double trouble.

Eating quickly can also trigger bloating or make it worse. As we eat we swallow roughly the same amount of air as we do food.

A HEALTHY DIET

Anything “healthy” is often a cause of bloating. High-fibre foods, such as cereals, beans and pulses cause bloating by fermenting in the gut. Healthy snacks are another problem. Many people spend all day snacking on large amounts of fresh fruit, nuts and seeds — all of which ferment in the bowel and cause problems in both healthy people and those with irritable bowel syndrome.

Dieting can also cause bloating if you stick to a high-protein diet such as the Atkins or Dukan. People wonder why they are bloated and constipated, yet they are on a high-protein diet so getting very little fibre, which is what we need to go to the loo regularly.

ANTIBIOTICS

A lack of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut can lead to bloating. Good bacteria helps to stimulate the digestive process and keep the gut cells healthy. But taking antibiotics, or suffering from food poisoning, can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria, causing bad bacteria to proliferate. It’s thought that probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria again.

STRESS

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

UNDIAGNOSED COELIAC DISEASE

Coeliac disease, which is an allergy to gluten, can cause uncomfortable bloating, although it’s not clear why. Whereas irritable bowel syndrome is basically a plumbing problem, allergies are caused by a problem with the immune system. The problem is the symptoms can be very similar to irritable bowel syndrome and many patients go undiagnosed for years.

Other common symptoms that might help differentiate coeliac disease from irritable bowel syndrome include unexplained anaemia, fertility problems and joint pain.

If you think you have a food intolerance or allergy, keep a food diary for seven days, noting when exactly you ate, what symptoms you had (if any), when they appeared, and grade them from zero to four in terms of severity.

Found on DailyMail.co.uk

How to look fantabulous in a photo!

A lot of people I know HATE having their picture taken because they don't think they look good! Pish-posh! You should LOVE how you look... but it's always nice to look tip-top. Here's some help.

Practice, practice, practice!
Have a photo night! Spend a couple of hours having a friend or loved one take snaps of you with a digital camera so you can get immediate feedback on what looks hot and what…not. Put a big mirror on the wall so you’re not winging it “blind.” Once you find a pose that works, make it your trademark.

Find your game face
Every time you’re in front of the mirror (alone), test out some smiles and different head positions. Find the side of your face that flatters you more. Once you've found the right look? Keep practicing it whenever you pass the mirror, until it feels – and therefore will look – natural.

Wear the right colors
Even a casual brunch with the girls can end up with snapshots being posted on Facebook, so be proactive about purging your wardrobe of clothes in unflattering colors. How to find the right color? http://www.ehow.com/how_3249_choose-colors-flatter.html

Get your make-up right
If you know you’re going to be photographed – assume you are at any weekend brunch or night out with the girls, party, group dinner or corporate “Away Day” – wear more than just a tinted moisturizer and gloss. Use concealer and heavier coverage foundation, eye makeup, lipstick and blush, and escape to the ladies' room to “powder your nose” with blotting papers every hour or so.

Strike a pose
For full-body shots try the classic Red Carpet Pose: angle your body three-quarters towards the camera, one shoulder closer towards the photographer, and one foot in front of the other and your weight on the back leg.

Look thinner
If you’re expecting to be photographed on a certain date or at a certain event, avoid carbs and water-retaining high-sodium foods, to avoid bloat. If you’re being shot torso-up, tense your arms to give them mroe definition, as long as you can maintain a smile. If you can arrange for the camera to be a bit above you so you’re looking up, that’ll slim your face.

Look taller, if you need to
If you’re petite and are being shot with your tall friend, stand on something (seriously) or sit down together so you won’t look like a mouse beside a giraffe!

Get the light right
Bright, diffused light as in a photo studio is flattering; outdoor high-noon conditions are not. Flash is also not ideal in most settings, as it’ll bring out shiny skin like nothing else. A cloudy outdoor day is perfect for making you look good, even if the weather is dreary. See if you can postpone the office picnic to an overcast day. Just kidding. (Or not.)

Hide the evidence of bad photos
Been tagged in a Facebook photo where you look… not your best? While you can’t wow in every shot, you can bury the evidence of less-than-stellar pics. Just Untag yourself. It won’t delete the shot since the photo isn’t yours, but it will hide the trail by getting your name out of people’s Mini-Feed updates.

Five reasons to pick up some fresh cherries at the farmers' market

1. Cherries can reduce joint pain: The red pigment in cherries is created by anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce the inflammatory markers in the blood. This could create a reduction in inflammation of your joints, and ultimately, a reduction in pain.

2. They're the ultimate food for your heart: Cherries contain high levels of quercetin, a plant flavonoid that could have the ability to reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and free-radical damage to your arteries.

3. Reduce your chances of gout with cherries: The quercitin in cherries, combined with their high levels of vitamin C, could decrease the amount of uric acid in the body. When uric acid accumulates, it can deposit in the joints as painful crystals, resulting in gout. Try snacking on some cherries after a heavy protein meal to avoid this painful accumulation!

4. Cherries help protect your eyesight: Cherries are high in lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two powerful antioxidants that specifically target the tissue of the eye. Making sure you consume enough of these antioxidants may aid in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, which would help your eyes stay healthy for a long time.

5. They could help you fight obesity: Cherries are a source of vitamin C and plant sterols. These two features together have shown a synergistic effect on the reduction of fat in the body, not to mention the high fiber content to eliminate unwanted toxins.

Found on MSN Lifestyle

How to get a Brighter Smile!

If you've been wanting a whiter smile but get lost in all the toothpastes, gels, rinses and various methods... it can be a challenge to find what's best for you!

So here's what to do...

1. Consult with your dentist before choosing a treatment plan.

Not all tooth stains are created equal. Different stains must be treated differently, and not one whitening system can attack all forms. Talk to your dentist about your dental history and eating and drinking habits before you explore at-home or dentist-office treatments.

2. Use paste for a quick-fix single-shade upgrade.

Whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach, and therefore, are the mildest smile-whitening method. However, since they only utilize gentle abrasives, pastes will usually only improve the color of your teeth by one shade.

3. Splurge on a dentist visit for immediate results.

For a couple hundred dollars, you can be in and out of your dentist’s office, fully equipped with a visibly whiter smile, within an hour. The secret is in the light treatments administered by professionals. Whitening agents are applied directly to your teeth in conjunction with heat, light, or even a laser. Do not try this at home.

4. Don’t abuse whitening strips.

Overuse of whitening gel strips can lead to ultra-sensitive teeth. Be sure to limit strip use to the duration designated on the packaging, and be cautious if you’re already prone to sensitive teeth.

5. Don’t drink colored beverages or eat acidic food after whitening.

No matter which treatment plan you choose, there are a few guidelines you’ll need to adhere to in order to make your new, bright smile lasts as long as possible. First, when drinking anything other than water—and especially tea or coffee—use a straw when possible. This limits your teeth’s exposure to stain-causing beverages. Second, avoid citrus-based foods to ensure your tooth enamel remains as strong as possible.

Helping your kids survive college/university!

Budget -- hard: Get them to draw up a weekly budget, listing all their known income and projected payments. The difference is how much they need to earn, or how much they can spend on partying.

Get insurance: The average student takes thousands of dollars worth of possessions to college. If the goods are not fully covered by your home insurance or the college's own policy, they'll need to arrange their own.

Wise up on travel: Walking and biking are free. But if they're taking a car to college they will end up as an unpaid taxi driver. Get them to ask friends to contribute towards gas.

Be a discount pro: Many stores offer student discounts but don't advertise about them -- so ask.

Pick up a recipe: Cook your children a meal and you feed them for a day; teach them how to cook and you'll be feeding them for life -- and saving them money at college.

Check paystubs: Even part-time workers should receive at least the minimum wage. Students also need to check how much tax the employer has deducted -- especially if they have more than one job.

Consider an allowance: If you don't trust them, or they don't trust themselves, students could hand their per-term loan/grant payment to Mom and Dad, to be doled out as a weekly or monthly allowance.

Stay on track: Learning to manage finances is part of the college experience. And as 18-year-olds are officially adults, parents are not legally responsible for their debts unless they have specifically guaranteed them.

Summer Health Myths

Eating before swimming
Going for a swim within 30 minutes of chowing down on a sandwich is not going to cause you to cramp up and sink helplessly to the bottom of the pool.

Peeing on a jellyfish sting to ease the pain
It's only going to gross you out. Urine hasn't been proven to curb the hurt. What has: vinegar. Its acidity is believed to inactivate the stingers and diminish the pain. Soak a paper towel in household white vinegar and hold it on the wound for about 30 minutes. Afterward, use an OTC hydrocortisone cream to quell any itching. (If, however, you start to feel dizzy or nauseated or develop any kind of rash, you may be having an allergic reaction and should get yourself to a doctor right away.)

Going in and out of air-conditioned buildings could make you sick
If you feel congested or start sniffling, it's likely due to summer allergies. If your symptoms are on overdrive, try staying inside on very hot, humid days, when outdoor allergens are at their most potent. And keep your home dust-and mould-free by cleaning your AC filter every month or by investing in a HEPA air purifier that nixes 99 percent of airborne contaminants.

The safest place to be in a lightning storm is your car because it has rubber wheels
You'll be safe in a car, but not because of the rubber tires. The car's frame is like a metal cage - if struck, lightning will flow around its outside. If you're driving in a storm, don't touch metal door handles or the radio, which is wired to the outside antenna.

Flip-flops are the best shoe to wear
Most flip-flops don't have adequate arch support, cushioning, or shock absorption. Wearing them all summer, every summer could lead to pinched foot nerves, heel pain, tendinitis, and strained arches. If you can't quit flops entirely, buy ones that have at least a three-quarter-inch semi-cushioned sole and built-in arch support. Even better, go for a strappy sandal; simple thongs force your toes into an unhealthy clenched position when you walk, encouraging hammertoe growth. Or try cute, beachy wedges (three inches high or less), which offer more support in just about every foot area and help distribute your body weight more evenly.

A dip in the pool is as good as taking a shower
Consider this: Most people don't rinse off before they go swimming. Chemicals in personal-care products, sweat, and makeup can interfere with chlorine, making it much less effective. The result? Public pools in particular are often swimming with nasties such as cryptosporidium, which can bring on diarrhea, ear infections, and skin rashes. Showering after a dip can wash bacteria off your skin and cut your risk of getting sick. Use soap - a quick hose-off may not be enough.

Found on Women's Health

They Way You Laugh...

Booming
Passionate, make decision quickly, but with a sensitive side.
Cackling
Practical, down to earth and a good judge of character.
Weepy
You care deeply for others, and handle complex situations well. A zest for life.
Squeaky, high pitched
Young in spirit, love surprises, emotional, trustworthy, energetic optomistic.
Chuckling, low pitched
Sensuous, romantic, a flirt who can influence others.
Tinkling, soft
Conscientious, kind, considerate, dependable and you try hard to please. You make others feel good.
Giggling
Hard worker with high personal standards. Lots of energy, creative, imaginative.
Variable
If you have a different laugh for every occasion, your versatile, good with people and fit in everywhere.

How to Choose the Perfect Bank Account for You!

If you are like many Canadians, you opened your first bank account as a child, most likely with the help from your parents. You may even continue to hold that same account today.

At some point, you will want to open another bank account. Maybe it's a joint chequing account to share with your sweetie; maybe it's a new savings account to keep your holiday savings fund sheltered from the rest of your cash.

So let's learn how the banks work, how they make money off of you, and how you can sweeten your deal!

1. What's in it for the bank?

When you open an account - savings or chequing - you are in fact lending the bank your money to use for their own investments. The bank earns interest for itself on all the deposits it holds and that is why the bank is willing to pay you interest on the funds you leave with them. The difference between how much the bank earns in interest (a lot) and how much it pays you in interest (a little) is called "the spread".

2. Savings versus chequing — does it really matter anymore?

Back in the day a chequing account was where you kept your money for spending and writing cheques for household expenses. Today, you are more likely to pay your bills online rather than using paper cheques, but the function of the chequing account remains the same — an account where money is coming in and going out at a frequent rate.

Savings accounts were traditionally designed for storing money that you didn't want to use immediately, while keeping it nearby and accessible. As such, banks have generally been willing to pay a higher interest rate on savings accounts, due to the fact that you provide a more reliable amount of money for the bank to use than you do in your ever-fluctuating chequing account.

With paper cheques going the way of the VCR, many banks today offer accounts that blend the traditional advantages of savings and chequing accounts. You can have debit card access to your savings account, as well as pay your bills and transfer funds as easily as you can with your chequing account. Some banks even offer higher-interest chequing accounts that rival what you would receive in any savings account.

The questions you need to ask are "what will I pay?" and "what will I earn?"

3. What should you pay?

Why on earth would you pay the bank to loan them your money? From the bank's perspective, you pay for the transactions you choose to do and the services you use.

Transactions include withdrawing money, depositing money, using your debit card at the ATM, transferring funds, paying bills out of your account, and writing cheques.

Services include all those extra things the bank can do for you, such as certifying cheques, issuing money orders and bank drafts, giving you overdraft protection or renting you a safety deposit box.

How you wish to pay for these transactions and services is a key factor in choosing a bank account. Most accounts charge a flat monthly fee that covers a set number of transactions and a range of services. Monthly fees can range from as low as $4 a month for minimal transactions and no extra services, to as high as $25 a month for unlimited transactions and many extra services included.

For many people however, the idea of paying a monthly fee is detestable and they want an account with no monthly fee. This can be a smart idea; however, it is important to examine the individual transaction fees that you will pay on such an account and be aware of how often you do said transactions. Those seemingly little incremental charges can add up quickly!

4. What should you earn?

If you have a mortgage, a credit card or a student loan, you are probably used to cheering on low interest rates. This is because you are used to paying the bank interest. But, when it comes to interest on your deposit account, look carefully!

When choosing a deposit account, look for the highest possible interest rate available to you. Banks are very competitive with these products, so there are tons of choices. While traditionally savings accounts paid higher interest rates than chequing, this is no longer always the case.

5. The secret to paying less and earning more

Remember, if they can make money by using your money, then they are less inclined to charge you fees and more inclined to pay you interest.

Here's the thing…if you are in the habit of draining your account empty each month, the banks won't be able to generate anything with your money since they can't rely on it. In this case, they will be eager to charge you transaction and service fees so as to generate some kind of return for the favour of babysitting your cash.

So, the secret to skipping fees and earning more interest is thus to maintain a minimum balance in your account at all times. Keeping as little as $1,000 or as much as $5,000 in your account at all times can really pay off. But remember — this is money you could be investing elsewhere for a bigger return — so be demanding! Look for high-interest earning accounts that waive monthly fees and provide unlimited transactions in exchange for maintaining a minimum monthly balance.

6. Comparison shopping

Ideally, you would be able to find an account that earns you more in interest than you pay in fees, or at least lets you come out even. You don't need to trek all over town to do it. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has a terrific online interactive tool called The Banking Package Selector Tool - this helps you comparison shop for bank accounts all across Canada.

Who knows, you might just find that the first bank account you ever opened is still the right bank account for you!

Found on Yahoo.ca Finance

Mid-day energy boosters

1. Take a good quality multivitamin at breakfast, lunch and/or dinner: For best results, look for multivitamins and all other supplement products that are free of additives.

2. Avoid eating too many carbohydrates at lunch: Also, be sure to have some protein with your meal. And ditch the sugary snacks - they will just cause you to crash later on.

3. Always keep water at your desk: Dehydration is a very common cause of fatigue and headaches. But be sure to avoid drinking water out of plastic bottles, as this leaches hormone disrupting chemicals. Dehydration can also cause us to reach for a snack instead of a thirst-quenching beverage. So get plenty of water!

4. Adaptogenic herbs, like rhodiola, ginseng or licorice, can increase vitality: This helps if the cause of your fatigue is ongoing stress or overwork. Your adrenal glands are commonly referred to as your stress glands because they release adrenalin and cortisol when you are in stressful situations. Over long periods of stress or overwork, they can become strained or lead to burnout, which is why herbs to support their function can be beneficial to increase your energy reserves and put a bounce back in your step.

5. Take a vitamin B complex and 100 to 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 with your lunch: They not only boost energy but also help the body to adapt to stress and support healthy heart and adrenal function.

6. Ditch the java for a cup of green tea: Green tea is a better alternative to the caffeine in coffee or tea and it actually has a calming amino acid called theanine, which is known to support relaxation during times of stress without causing drowsiness.

7. Get seven-and-a-half to nine hours of sleep per night: Undersleeping is just as harmful as oversleeping. If you find that you consistently need more than nine hours of sleep per night, a trip to your doctor's office for some simple blood tests to evaluate causes of fatigue may be worthwhile. Ask for an assessment of your thyroid to rule out hypothyroidism.

8. Check your iron levels: If you find that your fatigue is increasing, you may want to ask your doctor to check your levels of ferritin (the storage form of iron). Optimal levels should be close to 70 in women and 100 in men. Low levels of iron are associated with fatigue, hypothyroidism, decreased athletic performance, ADD/ADHD, restless leg syndrome and even hair loss.