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.

Pillow Talk

Up to a third of the weight of your pillow could be made up of bugs, dead skin, dust mites and their faeces! YUCK!

Pillows – and the stuffy bedroom air that surrounds them – are ideal breeding grounds for undesirables ranging from the superbugs MRSA and C.diff to flu, chicken pox and even leprosy, scientists said yesterday.

While some of the bugs will only be found lurking in hospitals or in tropical climates, others will be making themselves at home in the comfort of your bed.

So here's what ya do with your current pillows.

• Allergy sufferers should opt for synthetic pillows over feather ones and fit them with anti-allergen covers.
• Kill mites by washing pillows regularly at 60C or putting them in the freezer for 24 hours.
• Good Housekeeping recommends washing your pillows once every three months on a delicate cycle.
• Wash two pillows together to balance the machine and use only a small amount of detergent. Rinse them twice.
• On a hot sunny day, try hanging your pillows outside to dry. Bacteria and fungi like moist environments.
• Replace them once a year.
  

Found on DailyMail.com

Perfect Job but Rude Co-worker, what to do?

Unfortunately rude co-workers are more common than you think. Disrespectful, bad-mannered co-workers exist at virtually every workplace and communicating with them can put a major damper on your day. As you deal with the problem, it's important to not take their behaviour close to heart. They're rude because of something that's going on with them. Don't take their behaviour personally.

Here's what to do when faced with a jerk of a co-worker:

Be objective

Make sure you're not overreacting. Be truthful with yourself about what's really bothering you and look at it from the perspective of both parties.

Consult a friend

Whether it's a colleague you can trust or a friend outside of work, getting a second opinion about a rude co-worker may help you put thoughts in perspective. Ask the friend to help you and start brainstorming ways to address the situation. They won't be feeling anger, pain, or humiliation, and will be able to give you sound, objective advice. No matter what you decide, wait for one or two days before carrying out your plan to prevent any hot-tempered words.

Kill them with kindness

This can easily pave the way to a more collegial relationship. Your behavior may influence theirs in a positive way.

Don't blame them

If the situation persists, approaching your co-worker can be a good idea. Simply tell them how their behaviour makes you feel rather than pointing out their mistakes or telling them what they have done wrong.

Be assertive

Acknowledge the problem in an assertive manner without insulting them and to deal with it as soon as possible -- there's no need to wait until the situation gets truly unbearable.

Come to a specific conclusion

Make sure your conversation ends with specific ways to end their unwanted behavior. Suggest changes or methods that can improve your relationship instead of simply pointing out their rude behaviour. Come away with several ways you can improve the working environment and stick to the game plan.

Take it up with a higher manager

If the problem persists and is a constant distraction at work, going to human resources representative or a manager can help you deal with the co-worker by documenting his or her behaviour. Be as truthful and easygoing as possible when speaking to HR or a supervisor. Prepare a strong case and share it in a positive manner without getting too negative or defensive.

Found on MSN careers.

Bad Money Habits

Not sticking to a budget.

Creating a budget may sound like a drag, but it’s actually super easy — just follow the 50-30-20 rule:

50% of your money goes to necessities (rent, utilities, health care, groceries, etc.)

30% is for fun indulgences (a new motorcycle jacket, tapas and mojitos with the girls, a weekend trip with your man),

20% is put towards savings and debt repayment (if you have no debt, save the entire amount).

It's easy to find budget helpers on the web, or as an app on your phone!

Splurging on stuff you don’t need.

When you’re faced with a temptation, put it to the need vs. want test. Ask yourself, Do I NEED this? If the answer’s no, then step away from the temptaion! However, if you’re pining for it a few days later, reconsider whether you can make it work into the 30% of your budget set aside for guilty pleasures.

Think you still won’t be able to resist? Try going on a cash diet. Every week, take out just enough money to last you the next seven days, leave your credit cards at home, and only use cash. (But don’t carry massive amounts of money in your purse—take what you need for the day and put the rest somewhere safe at home.) It forces you to regulate your spending so you can make it through until the next withdrawal.

Overdrafting on your checking account.

There’s nothing more annoying than being hit with a ridiculous overdraft fee — even if you’re only pennies over your balance.

You have two options to avoid this:

a) Tell your bank to turn off the overdraft capability on your account, so it’s impossible for you to spend money you don’t have.

b) Check out FindaBetterBank.com—it matches you with a bank with the lowest fees around, and you can set up text and e-mail alerts that let you know when you’re in the danger zone.

Not saving enough money.

Bad luck can strike every once in a while—like losing your job or getting in a car accident. Protect yourself by setting up an emergency savings account. Stash at least 6-9 months of your overall expenses in there so you have a buffer just in case. That way, if something happens, you’ll have a good amount of time to get back on your feet without scrambling for cash.

Forgetting about your Retirement.

Retirement seems so far away, but putting money aside for it now is one of the most important things you can do to set yourself up for later. Find out if your employer matches any contributions to your RRSP. If not, research the perfect RRSP.

Here’s why it’s so key to sign up in your 20s: if you put in $1,000 a year starting at age 25, you’d be sitting pretty on more than $300,000 by the time you’re 65. But if you start at 30, you’d have $200,000, and starting at age 35 lowers that number even more to $130,000, which is serious money to lose out on!

Ignoring your credit score.

Your credit rating is the only grade that matters after you graduate—that number affects whether you get loans, hired, approved to live somewhere, and more. You build your credit by never missing a payment on anything. You can find out your credit score on-line!

Found on Cosmopolitan.com

Doctor-approved Treatments for Bad Breath

Water

How it works: Bacteria's sworn enemy is oxygen, which is found in your own saliva. And drinking water makes you produce more saliva, which in turn neutralizes bad breath.



Vegetables

How they work: Fibrous vegetables, such as celery and cucumbers, boost your mouth's saliva production, which washes away odor-causing bacteria. In fact, holding a slice of cucumber between your tongue and the roof of your mouth for about 90 seconds helps limit odor. Crunchy vegetables help remove plaque on teeth and gums, which bacteria can feed on.



Good to know: Parsley has the same odor-neutralizing effect as vegetables. So the next time you're out to dinner, chew on your garnish (discreetly!).

Green Tea

How it works: A 2007 study at the University of British Columbia found that the polyphenols in green tea temporarily decrease sulfur compounds in the mouth. Just be sure to drink it straight—adding sugar or milk will increase the bacteria you're trying to reduce. Studies also show that green tea may help prevent gum disease, too.

Good to know: Mint tea has powerful anti-odor benefits as well and has been shown to be especially good at neutralizing garlic oils.

Tea-Tree Oil

How it works: This plant-derived oil has antibacterial properties. Put a few drops directly on your toothbrush and brush the back of your tongue and along your gumline, then spit out any excess. The oil will kill some of the odor-generating bacteria that can lurk in those parts.



Good to know: Because experts aren't sure what effects essential oils may have on women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, they recommend that women avoid tea-tree oil during these times.

Sugar-Free Gum

How it works: Chewing gum increases its production and chewing just one piece makes your mouth create up to 10 times more saliva than usual. But not just any pack will do. Gum that contains sugar actually feeds the bacteria that generate sulfur compounds, so look for gums that contain natural sweeteners called sugar alcohols, such as xylitol and sorbitol.

Good to know: If you are not accustomed to sugar-free gum, go easy at first. For some people, sugar alcohols can cause stomach discomfort, bloating, and gas.

Found on Yahoo's Healthy Living

Your Home Could Make You Infertile?!

Your Walls
Exposure to glycol ether, a solvent found in certain water-based paints, varnishes, thinners and stains, can disrupt your menstrual cycle or even cause a miscarriage. It can also diminish sperm quality.

Your Bed
Although flame retardants used on mattresses, sofa cushions and carpet padding are meant to keep you safe, they may not be a safe bet if you're trying to conceive. Those chemicals can be absorbed into your bloodstream, and high levels of such chemicals have been linked to damaged sperm in men and trouble conceiving in women. The two most commonly used flame-retardant compounds were banned in the U.S. in 2004 (they were voluntarily phased out of use in Canada in 2006), so if you bought your mattress after that, you're probably fine. When buying new furniture, opt for pieces made of organic cotton, wool and latex, and avoid anything with a tag that says: "Complies with California TB117" (the law requiring furniture to be flame-retardant).

Soap
Antibacterial soaps, as well as some shampoos, dishwashing liquids and even some toothpastes, contain triclosan - a chemical that may mess up your hormones and interfere with your reproductive system or sperm count.

Canned Food
BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical often found in hard plastics, including those used to make many microwave-safe food containers and water bottles, as well as in the linings of aluminum cans and, surprisingly, receipt paper. Studies have found that the higher the levels of BPA in men's urine, the lower their sperm count. A study also found that women with twice as much BPA in their bloodstreams had half as many viable eggs, and other research has shown a link between BPA levels and polycystic ovary syndrome (which can lead to infertility).

Shower Curtain
Your shower curtain liner gets its soft plastic bendability from phthalates - and that's a problem. Men with lower sperm counts, as well as those with damaged sperm, have been found to have phthalates in their blood. These chemicals may also be connected to endometriosis, a condition that can lead to infertility in affected women.

Nonstick Pots and Pans
The nonstick coating contains the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been linked to reproductive problems. In fact, data shows that women with higher levels of PFOA in their blood had a harder time getting pregnant. And when they do conceive, studies have found that babies born to women with higher levels of PFOA in their blood are less likely to meet important developmental milestones.

Laptops
Researchers have found that men who rest laptops on their laps while using them have higher scrotal temps, which may decrease sperm production and have a negative affect on the production of healthy sperm.

The Faucet
A study showed that chemicals found in medicines, including cancer drugs, as well as pesticides that enter our water supply (even in trace amounts), may reduce male fertility by inhibiting the function of testosterone.

Carpet
Pesticides that you can drag into your home on your shoes, as well as perfluorochemicals (PFCs) contained in the padding of some carpets, may be linked to female infertility. Women with higher levels of these chemicals in their blood took longer to get pregnant than those with lower levels. Researchers believe the chemicals may have a toxic affect on the developmental and reproductive organs, and could also affect sperm quality.

Laundry Detergents
Chemicals found in detergents can disrupt a woman's normal menstrual cycle and cause miscarriage in pregnant women, in addition to possibly affecting semen quality. So switch from petroleum-based detergents to vegetable-based, fragrance-free detergents, which contain fewer chemicals. Also, ditch products that contain parabens, phthalates or formaldehyde in favor of more natural, preservative-free alternatives.

Found on MSN Lifestyle

Write to Our Troops!

The Journal of Traumatic Stress has published new research saying that hand-written letters are much more than a pick-me-up for soldiers.

Those who received letters, care packages or emails had lower level of post-traumatic stress compared to those who communicated through phone or texts. They believe this is because snail mail can be revisted whenever they like which provides repeated support.

So if you want to let our Canadian Forces members know how much you appreciate their service, you can write them, or email, by heading to

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/commun/message/index-eng.asp

Rules of the Grill

1. No Holleration
No drama allowed at the backyard barbecue, they're for fun only.

2. Know Your Grill
Is it infrared, grills, smoker, charcoal etc. Google what ya have and find the best ways to use it!

3. Bring a Cool Beverage
It makes the cooking experience much better! Plus you can add some to tenderize the meat.

4. Don't Fuss Over the Veggies
Sometimes, it's totally acceptable to serve an all-meat buffet.

5. Learn to Make Pizza on the Grill
This will earn you points with family and friends, because it's cool!

6. Turn Every BBQ Experience into a Party
Bring the music, chairs, hula hoops... whatever you want to make it that much more fun!

7. Don't Listen to 'Backseat Cookers'
You don't need someone hovering over you telling you how to cook your masterpiece do you?

8. Eat Your Mistakes
Charbroiled meat can be turned into tasty nachos, so just be creative, and don't waste it! '

9. Watch Your Food
When a burger or fish is ready to be flipped, it won't be stuck to the grill, observe your habits and work with it.

10. Ease Your Way In
Start with cooking small things or recipes, and gradually add more to the plate. If you start off with a really hard recipe, chances are you'll get discouraged.

Thanks to Askmen.com for the help!