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Healthy recipes = healthy foodWe all have our favorite recipes, but many of these are loaded with fats and contain little nutrition. Use these tips to adjust your recipes to make them healthier: · Reduce the amount of oil, butter or shortening called for in a recipe. Experiment; often you can reduce the amount by ½ by replacing the fat with applesauce or other pureed fruits.
· Use evaporated skim milk instead of heavy cream or half and half in baking, sauces or soups.
· Use nonfat or low fat yogurt and nonfat or low fat cottage cheese in place of regular yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese or mayonnaise in recipes, dips and sauces.
· Use part-skim cheeses instead of whole milk cheeses in any recipe.
· Use reduced fat or nonfat products of any food such as salad dressings and mayonnaise.
· Use a nonstick pan and water, chicken broth, wine or oil sprays for sautéing and wok cooking.
· Use chicken and turkey breast, veal, ham, ground round and flank steak in casseroles and meat loaf.
· Replace one whole egg with two egg whites, or replace two eggs with one whole egg and one egg white.
· Reduce the amount of salt by at least ½ and up the use of herbs and spices.
· Reduce the amount of sugar by at least 1/2. Try reducing the sugar by a little each time you make the recipe.
· Use whole-wheat flour instead of enriched white flour, or use half whole wheat and half white flour or add ¼ cup wheat germ in place of white flour.
· Use brown rice or wild rice instead of white rice.
· Replace canned fruits and vegetables with their fresh or frozen counterparts.
· Experiment with low fat and healthy cookbooks. There are many available in bookstores or libraries that have recipes already revised for you.
· Use ice milk, sorbet or low fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
· Use tuna packed in water instead of tuna in oil.
· Enjoy whole grain breads, muffins, bagels or crackers instead of doughnuts, croissants and large bakery muffins.
· Eat a baked potato instead of an order of french fries. Or make baked fries by coating cut potatoes with oil and baking in a 350 degree oven for 30-45 minutes turning every 15 minutes.
· Snack on plain popcorn and pretzels instead of peanuts or chips.
· Try using ground turkey instead of ground beef in recipes.
· Use pureed cooked vegetables or beans to thicken soups and sauces instead of cream, egg yolks or butter.
· Use soft tofu to replace some or all of whipped or sour cream in recipes.
· Toast nuts to enhance flavor-you won't need to use as many.
· Trim all visible fat from meat before cooking and remove skin from poultry.
· In baking recipes, try substituting applesauce, fat free pudding or minced canned pineapple in place of a quarter to a third of the oil.
· Substitute fat free plain yogurt in place of sour cream.
· Try soy meat substitutes for ground beef, chicken and even sausages.
· Experiment with whole grain pastas or alternatives to wheat pasta, like rice, spelt or quinoa pasta. Really surprise your family and use spaghetti squash in place of wheat spaghetti.
· A full class of wine can have over 100 calories. Lighten it up by making a homemade wine cooler by mixing half wine and half sparkling water. Add a lemon or lime and you have a refreshing wine spritzer!
12:59 PM - Feb. 23, 2009 - comments {1} - post commentYou CAN stay connected with family and friendsThe holiday season has once again come and gone. And while some of us may be mourning the end of the large holiday feasts and seemingly bottomless platters of treats, many people may also feel a little melancholy about being out of touch with friends and family. After all, one of the best things about the holiday season is spending time with family or reading holiday letters about what your friends did during the past year. The good news is, you don't have to wait an entire year to reconnect with friends and family members. That's because social networking websites like MySpace.com and Facebook.com as well as sites like Twitter.com and even blogs are ideal for establishing relationships and staying in touch with your friends and family members. The ages of people on these networks range from computer-savvy high school kids to middle-aged professionals. That means there's a good chance you can connect with a number of your friends, family members, and even acquaintances you haven't seen in years! How to Decide Which Option Best Suits You With so many ways to connect with people, it's hard to know which option best suits you. The key is to understand some of the basic differences...and to focus on which option(s) will allow you to communicate the way you want to communicate. To help with the decision, the following list breaks down some of the most popular options and how they can help you stay in touch. Short updates...without the hassle. If you're just looking for a way to share short blurbs about what you're doing, you may feel like a blog or social networking site is too overwhelming or time-intensive for you. The good news is, there's an option that's perfect for you. Social messaging or micro-blogging sites like Twitter.com are designed to deliver short messages or updates. For instance, the longest message you can post on Twitter is only 140 characters long – yes, characters, not words. So there's no pressure to write a long story or upload pictures. You simply type a sentence or two and hit send. You can even send messages via a text message from your cell phone. And when you log into your site to see what friends and family members are doing, you get the same short messages in return. No worries about linking to multiple pages or reading long posts. Just concise blurbs...all posted on one convenient screen for you to read. And best of all, it's free to set up and use! Show photos, post updates, chat online, or send emails. For a more full-featured way to stay connected, you may want to sign up for a social networking site like Facebook.com or MySpace.com. These sites are free and allow you to write regular updates like a micro-blog site, but they also enable you to post pictures as well as send emails to a special inbox on the site. You can also use the site like an Instant Messaging program, so you can see which friends or family members are online at the same time as you and chat instantly! And, most social networking sites allow you to control some aspect of privacy, so you can set parameters determining who can see your content. Of course, the numerous social networking sites aren't exactly the same. For example, some sites like MySpace offer greater customization, so you can really make your page fit your personality. In addition, you may find that most of the people you want to stay connected with are already signed up on a certain site. So talk to your friends and family members before choosing which site – or sites – you want to use. Share longer stories and post pictures for the world to see. If you want to share more than a sentence here or there, you may want to start a blog. Blog sites such as Blogger.com and Wordpress.com allow you to set up a blog for free. With these sites, you can write longer articles and even post pictures. The software walks you through the process, so it's easy to do...even if you're new to the whole "online communication" concept. Another nice benefit of blogs is that your friends and family members don't need to be members of a site to read your updates or see your pictures. They just need to know the URL so they can type it into their browser. So, it's convenient for everyone. Set up your own social network. You may want to have a social network set up just for a specific group. For example, you may want to have one place where all your family can come together to communicate. Or, you may want a special network set up for a work group or class reunion. Regardless of what it's for, setting up your own social network is actually easier than you think when you use sites like Ning.com. With a Ning site, you can invite only the members you want to have access to the site, so it has an added element of privacy. In addition, each member can update their own profile...and you can even include a calendar of events and a discussion forum that everyone can access. With these added benefits, your social network site can truly become the one place that your entire family comes together...just like the dining room table during the holidays, except it's online! Getting Started Facebook, MySpace, blogs, and other social networking sites like Ning offer somewhat different services, but they all have similar features. The nice thing is, getting started on a social networking site or blog is easy and can often be done in as little as 15 minutes. Here are some things you'll want to have handy before you begin: Write a profile. Social networking sites are all about getting to know each other and keeping people up-to-date on what's going on in your life. If you don't have a profile, people can't get to know you. Start by writing a few lines about yourself and what you're interested in. Pick a profile picture. People like to see who they're talking to. Select a picture that is fun but also somewhat professional. Remember, in addition to your friends and family members, you may end up communicating with co-workers or future employers. So make sure you maintain a public image that works for all situations. Get some content ready. Start by making a list of items you can add to your page today. You'll want a variety of information: some fun interests and hobbies, along with some insightful details like where you went to school and when you graduated. If you're starting a page on a social networking site, you may even want to get a few pictures of your family or a recent vacation ready so you can share them with friends. Gather usernames from friends. Many social networking sites have features that allow you to search for former classmates or to check your email address list. But, it's probably a good idea to gather a few usernames of friends so you can connect with them as soon as you set up your page. If you plan on starting a blog, you may want to gather the URLs of your friends' or family members' blogs as well. That way, you can add them as links on your blog for easy access by you and by your blog's visitors who may be interested. After you get the content ready for one site, you can use that same information to register on other sites if you want. This way, you can manage multiple sites with relatively little work. 4:29 PM - Feb. 7, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentFun Presidential factsThis month, everyone from your family and friends to your children's school will undoubtedly be talking about the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. But did you know that Barack Obama won't actually be the 44th president? He'll only be the 43rd person to hold the office. So why all the confusion? It all goes back to Grover Cleveland, who was elected to two terms as president. However, because his terms were not consecutive, he was counted twice – Cleveland is listed as the 22nd and the 24th president. As a result, the number of people who held office is actually one less than the number of presidents the United States has had. That's just one of many fun presidential facts behind the story of America's presidents. For even more oddball twists and tidbits, take the quiz below and share the answers with your family and friends this month! Take the Presidential Tidbit Challenge... 1. Who was the first president to live in the White House? A. George Washington ANSWER: This is a bit of a trick question. Officially, John Adams became the first president to live in the presidential residence that we know as the White House. However, when he moved into the residence during 1800, it wasn't called the White House. Instead, it was referred to as the President's Palace, the President's House, or the Executive Mansion. The first president to live in the "White House" was Theodore Roosevelt, who gave the residence its official name in 1901. 2. Who was the tallest president? A. James Madison ANSWER: The tallest president of the United States was Abraham Lincoln, who stood 6 feet, 4 inches tall. Conversely, the shortest president was James Madison, who was only 5 feet, 4 inches tall – an entire foot shorter than Lincoln. 3. Although it seems like an odd question, who was the first president to be born as a US citizen? A. Abraham Lincoln ANSWER: Martin Van Buren was the first president to be born as a citizen of the newly created United States of America. The seven presidents prior to Van Buren (Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J.Q. Adams, and Jackson) were considered British subjects. Incidentally, William Henry Harrison, who took office immediately after Van Buren was also born as a British subject. The other names listed above also represent interesting facts about birthplaces of US presidents. Abraham Lincoln was the first president born outside of the original colonies. Herbert Hoover was the first president born west of the Mississippi River. And, finally, Richard Nixon was the first and only president born in California. 4. Who was the youngest president of the United States? A. Theodore Roosevelt ANSWER: This is another tricky one. Theodore Roosevelt was actually the youngest president of the United States. He was only 42 years old when he took office; however, he became president after William McKinley died in office. John F. Kennedy was the youngest president ever "elected" to office. He was only 43 years old when he was elected president in November of 1960. So depending on how you interpret the question, either answer could be correct. On the flip side, Ronald Reagan was the oldest president. He was 69 when he took office and 77 when he left. 5. Who was the first president to appear on television? A. Warren G. Harding ANSWER: Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to appear on TV. The appearance took place during the opening ceremonies of the World's Fair in 1939. John F. Kennedy, however, was the first president to give a live television news conference. Warren G. Harding and Rutherford B. Hayes had famous firsts of their own. Harding was the first president to address the nation via radio, and Hayes was the first president to have a telephone in the White House. 6. Which president was born on July 4th? A. John Adams ANSWER: The only president to be born on the Fourth of July was Calvin Coolidge, who was born on July 4, 1872. However, three presidents died on this national holiday. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. And James Monroe died on July 4, 1831. 7. Which president lost the popular vote, but still became president? A. John Quincy Adams ANSWER: All of the above. John Quincy Adams was actually voted into office by the House in 1824 after the general election failed to produce a majority of the electoral votes. The other three presidents listed above also took office despite losing the popular vote: Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876; Benjamin Harrison in 1888; and most recently George W. Bush in 2000. 8. Which president graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis? A. Ulysses S. Grant ANSWER: The only president to graduate from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis was Jimmy Carter, who graduated in 1946 and then served in the nuclear submarine program. Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower both graduated from West Point. Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, was the only president who had a Ph.D. He received a doctorate in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. 9. Which president served in the US Congress after leaving office? A. Andrew Johnson ANSWER: Andrew Johnson and John Quincy Adams were the only two former presidents to serve in the US Congress after leaving office. Johnson served in the Senate, and Adams served in the House. John Tyler did not serve in the US Congress, but he did serve as a delegate to the provisional Congress of the Confederacy after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the other hand, William Howard Taft is the only president to serve as chief justice of the US Supreme Court. After leaving the White House, he became a professor of constitutional law at Yale and was later appointed chief justice in 1921. 10. Who is the only person to become president without being elected as either president or vice president? A. Millard Fillmore ANSWER: The only person ever to become president of the United States without being elected as either president or vice president is Gerald Ford. He was nominated to be Richard Nixon's vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned. Later, when Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974, Ford became the 38th president. 4:26 PM - Feb. 5, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentGet ready for tax seasonIt's that time again...time to start gathering all of that dreaded documentation to send to good old Uncle Sam! Recent stats say the IRS audited approximately 1 out of every 97 returns last year, so it pays to be careful. And even though this may seem like a very painful process, taking just a few simple steps right now will make your tax filing far easier and more accurate. Keep it together. Make a quick list of all the documents or statements that were needed to complete your return last year – or call your tax planning professional for a checklist. Use this as a checklist to make sure you have a good start on the documents you may need this year. As you receive tax documents in the mail, grab your checklist, and mark the item as received. Then, keep all of the tax documents together in a large file or envelope marked "2008 TAXES." Do the math. According to the IRS, the most common mistake on tax returns is bad math – from transposed numbers to downright incorrect data. And with one form leading to another, those errors can make a huge impact. Even if you use tax software, you're not off-the-hook – since it only adds the numbers YOU put in. Double-check entries carefully. Every last cent. The IRS receives copies of your Form 1099 earnings each tax season. So, they know how much you make in interest and dividend income, and they will use that info to double-check your filing information. Make sure you collect all your earnings statements and document them on your return. Sign on the line. It sounds almost silly, but forgetting to sign a return is actually a fairly common oversight. And the IRS won't process a return that doesn't have a signature. So, make sure you sign to avoid resubmitting your paperwork and possibly paying late-filing fees. Remember, there isn't a lot of room for error when you're dealing with the IRS. A slight miscalculation could mean the difference between getting a return and writing a check – or worse, paying a penalty. It pays to work with a tax professional. Beware of Tax Scams this Time of Year As tax season rolls around, so do the scam artists. That's right...phishing criminals who want your personal information use this hectic and confusing time of year to prey on unsuspecting individuals. These unscrupulous scammers send spam emails that appear to be from the IRS. These emails are often written to persuade you to link to a website that will allow you to update your data or receive important information. Remember, these phishing emails are quite sophisticated, and the links send you to what usually appear to be legitimate IRS or government websites. In reality, they are not. These sites will prompt you to divulge private information under the guise of the IRS requiring it, or sometimes, ironically, to protect you from identity theft or loss of privacy. Although these emails are sophisticated and appear to be genuine, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid falling prey to one of these scams. Always be suspicious of emails. Remember, the IRS does NOT initiate communication with taxpayers through email, but rather through the regular mail. If you receive an email that says it's from the IRS, you should immediately be suspicious and should forward it in its entirety to the IRS, so that they can take steps to shut down the fraudulent and bogus websites. The IRS requests that you forward all questionable emails to phishing@irs.gov. Double-check the URL address. Keep in mind that all IRS websites begin with the following web address: http://www.irs.gov/. So, if you ever click a link in an email or visit a website that you believe is related to the IRS, the first thing you should do is confirm that the website begins with the correct URL address. Remember, sometimes it may "look" legitimate, but is actually an imposter site that is phishing for information. So always, always double-check the actual URL address before you type any information in the site. Exercise extreme caution with attachments. When it comes to questionable emails, the best practice is to never open any attachments. That's because attachments are an extremely common method that hackers use to infect your computer with programs that may harm your computer or steal your personal information – often without you even knowing! In today's technological environment, electronic communication offers us tremendous speed and convenience. But it can also be used for unethical purposes by scammers. Most organizations have worked very hard to put strict privacy policies in place. As a result, government agencies and financial institutions will almost NEVER ask you to divulge personal information via email. If you receive any email asking for personal information of any kind, you should immediately be suspicious. When in doubt, call the customer service lines listed on your statements or documents and discuss the email that you received. Make Sure You Get Your Money Now...Rather than Waiting for a Refund Next Year While you're getting your tax information ready for the past year, it's a good time to look ahead to the coming year. For many of us, it's a constant balancing act to make sure we're withholding enough so that we don't have to pay at the end of the year, but getting a return at the end of the year isn't necessarily the best plan either. When you think about it, getting a refund check means that you let the IRS use your money throughout the year without paying you any interest. Wouldn't you rather have that money to use during the year? Here's how you do it. The IRS allows you to increase the number of dependants on your W-4 withholding form, meaning that less will be withheld for taxes from each paycheck. But don't go overboard. You should only lessen the periodic tax withholding to match the expected refund. This way you are taking your refund as you go...instead of letting the IRS hold on to it. Believe it or not, the IRS actually makes it easy to calculate! The IRS offers a handy IRS Bean Counter calculator for free, which lets you see how a change in withholding will affect your paycheck. Take advantage of this calculator today to see how changes can impact your take-home pay. 4:21 PM - Feb. 3, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentKeep that exercise resolutionOK, it's about time for you to abandon that "more exercise" resolution you made on January 1st. Here is an article by Smooth FItness that might help you stick to it.
For many Americans, the New Year means a clean slate and a chance to right the wrongs of the previous year. Unfortunately, each year millions of us make some type of fitness-related New Year’s resolution, but only about 20% of those resolutions are actually kept. Smooth Fitness, an online retailer of home fitness equipment, provides some advice to help everyone reach their fitness goals for 2009. “We see it every year, everyone sticks to their resolution for a few weeks, maybe a month, but eventually they slip back into their bad habits,” said Chad Tackett, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Expert, Smooth Fitness. “The key thing for people to understand is that in order to be successful it is really about a lifestyle change, not crash diets or workout fads.” A few tips for the start of a healthy year and ways to stick to your New Years resolution: 1. Set a realistic goal - Resolving to look like a supermodel is not realistic for the majority of people but eating healthier and increasing daily physical activity certainly is possible. 3:54 PM - Jan. 30, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentFrugal is In - 7 ways to saveThis article is by George Mantor known as “The Real Estate Professor” for his wealth building formula, Lx2+(U²)xTFP=$? and consumer education efforts.
For the last two decades, our freeways have been getting increasingly clogged with a steady stream of trucks loaded with imported goods. They were advertised to us and we bought them. I like my stuff. Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming and, in an odd sort of way, I don’t own it, it owns me. It would be easy to blame crooked politicians and their global capitalization for our declining prosperity, collapsing infrastructure, looming debt, lack of health care, and the other problems that don’t bode well for our future; but hey, we elected them. We were willing participants in a headlong scramble for the “good life.” We rushed from the farms to the assembly lines, and from the factories to steel and glass towers, and now they don’t need us any more. If you worked in the rust belt a couple of decades ago, the words of a Bruce Springsteen song might mean something to you, “…these jobs are going boys and they ain’t coming back.” We have been marketed to, and we were encouraged to consume. Twenty years ago I got by just fine with what I had. But, who doesn’t want a big screen plasma, a faster computer and an iPod? However, it all comes with a price tag and we don’t quite have enough. The American savings rate is far below historic lows, but I think saving might just come back into vogue. There could be a time coming when you wish you had a little stash of cash. But, with prices rising and the American workers earnings not keeping pace, what is there to save? From the crash of 1929 to the end of World War Two in 1945, Americans became more resourceful than at any time in our history. They saved or recycled everything, and got by on what they needed. The fact is that we have simply forgotten how to save. We have been encouraged to consume, not to save. We are wasteful in ways we do not even realize; hence, we do not see opportunities to save. Don’t think of savings as not spending money, rather see it as a way of getting what you really want, a house full of imported crap on it’s way to the junkyard or a little less anxiety about the future. It’s a choice. 1. Be proactive Make a game out of it. Pennies are points, so scoring is easy. Everyone in the family can play because pennies are easy to come by. I guarantee if you see it that way, you’ll never pass up a penny in the street again. The idea is to make the goal of savings more fun than the goal of temporary distraction. If the act of saving isn’t fun, you probably won’t do it. 2. Create a budget Simply make a list of the bills you pay every month. What can be reduced to create regular savings? Can you eliminate a phone line and do you really need the premium cable package when everything winds up on DVD? Many categories, including utility bills, clothing, groceries and sundries are ripe for savings. Take the electric bills for the last six months, add up what you paid, divide by six and you have your monthly average. By simply being conscious of opportunities to conserve energy, you should be able to save a few more dollars every month. 3. Establish a Kitty Put the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and even folding money in the Kitty. Keep it handy. My grandmother raised six children during the Depression; her Kitty was a sugar bowl in the pantry. She never spent change, saying that these were the seeds of more dollars and we wanted to grow more dollars. If she saved money with a coupon or a bargain, she put that money in the sugar bowl and, when the bowl was full, she was off to the bank to deposit in her savings account. Clip coupons, take surveys, get cash back, join shopping clubs and when savings are realized, put the equivalent amount in the Kitty. Often, register receipts will show your savings total. Put that in the Kitty. Tax refund-in the Kitty. Any found money goes in the Kitty. When the Kitty gets full, take it to your bank or credit union and deposit it in your savings account. Here’s a great idea; Coinstar, the coin counting machines, are now participating with some credit unions and banks so that you can direct deposit your change right from Coinstar into your savings account. Savings accounts don’t pay much interest, but don’t worry too much about that. Once you start accumulating money, you’ll want to have it working as hard as you do and generating as high a rate of return as possible. But first, your goal is to have six months of budgeted living expense saved. Distribute them between a savings account to collect the money and a Money Market Account to generate a higher return with no risk and easy liquidity. Depending on your institution’s minimum money market balance, say $2500, you might want to collect $5,000 in your savings account and then move half to the money market account to get started. After you have saved six months living expense, it’s time to start saving for the long term; start investing the overage in the S & P 500 and forget about it. If you haven’t been saving, you probably haven’t been interested in investing. Start with what’s easy and works. Over time, the S & P has produced a solid rate of return. Now that you are taking your money seriously, you may be tempted to seek the highest returns possible. Starting out, settle for security and performance history. 4. Plan your purchases One key to savings is simply to eliminate all impulse buying. If you really want something, take your time, research it, and see when and where you might get the best price. Any kid who grew up during the depression will tell you that one of the greatest aspects of getting something they really wanted was anticipation. The waiting, the thinking, the dreaming often deliver greater satisfaction than the thing itself. My uncle broke my new Pogo Stick on my tenth birthday before I ever even got to try it, and, despite promises, it was never replaced. I spent a lot of time anticipating my birthday and the joy of my Pogo Stick, and then I got to anticipate its replacement until winter came. Knowing me as I do, I probably would have gotten bored with jumping up and down after about four days, but many a happy hour was spent thinking about it. Everything goes on sale at some point. And, if you plan your purchases, you’ll get a discount of 30-50 percent. 5. Buy things that last …..like a better Pogo Stick. Often, the best value isn’t the cheapest but rather, the highest quality. Not having to replace something is an easy way to save money. 6. Ask, do I really need it? I’ve made it through life without a Pogo Stick and still had a pretty good time, and plenty of ups and downs. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. The point is that it is okay not to have everything you want. The thing probably won’t deliver the satisfaction you imagined and it won’t fill the void of wanting. In a short time, you will be wanting something else, and your former heart’s desire will collect dust somewhere. 7. Can you do it yourself? Gardening is a pleasant hobby to some but, during the Depression, it was a necessity. Canning and preserving food is a chore but families then had no other choice. The added benefit of gardening is that you can have the most flavorful organic food without worrying about where it came from or how it was grown. We do not know what we are capable of until we are really challenged. We can all do more for ourselves, get by on less, do without some things and, with the right mindset, become a nation of savers. Depression era thinking is coming back. Throwing things away is so yesterday. Besides, there is no more “away” in which to “throw” things. The landfills are all full. Just when it seemed everything was headed for disposability, durability will make a comeback out of necessity. The mantra of the Depression was, “Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without!” Now, that appears to be solid advice for the future. Being frugal could be the new fashion. And it could be fun. 2:04 PM - Jan. 28, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentVacation travel tipsIf you're already planning that summer vacation, here are some tips to help you have the best vacation ever! When planning a trip it is important to remember safety. Below are some helpful travel tips to ensure a safe, fun and relaxing vacation.
Traveling Abroad
·Stay with your luggage until it is checked.
·Carry important papers with you; do not check them with your luggage.
·Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards and keep them in a separate place from the originals.
·Do not carry cash; only carry traveler’s checks and credit cards.
·Leave a copy of your itinerary with your family or friends in case of an emergency.
·Leave your expensive and sentimental jewelry at home. For more information on traveling abroad visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, www.travelsafely.com Health Tips
·Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, Dramamine, Pepto Bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc. ·Keep medicines in their original labeled containers to avoid problems with customs. ·Bring enough prescription medicine to last your whole trip and take extra with you in case your return is delayed. ·If you have diabetes or epilepsy carry your notification and identification card. ·Remember to bring along the names and dosages of all of your medicines. ·Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine on the plane. ·Avoid blood clots by walking during designated times of your flight. If the flight crew won’t let you, drink plenty of water and stretch your calf muscles while you are sitting in your seat.
·Wash your hands often!
For more information on diseases, vaccinations and health conditions specific to the area you are traveling to visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
Traveling with Children
·Allow extra time to get through security.
·Never hand a child to a fellow passenger or traveler while you go through airport security. Walk through with your children.
·Travel with items that fold so they go through the x-ray machine at the airport. This will save time from special, by hand, screenings by a security officer.
·Pack and carry-on a change of clothing, diapers, food, formula, etc., in a reseal able bag. Then keep this with you when you are traveling in case of emergency. For more helpful tips on traveling with children visit: www.travelforkids.com, www.flyingwithkids.com/
Where to travel?
Looking for a special romantic getaway, or maybe a family friendly resort? There are hundreds of websites that can help you plan your trip and schedule activities while you are there. For some fun trip ideas visit: http://away.com/ideas/index.html, http://www.concierge.com/ideas, http://www.vacationidea.com/ 12:08 PM - Jan. 26, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentIRS releases new mileage ratesIf you drive a car, truck or van for work, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced news that impacts you. That's because the IRS has released the new standard mileage rates for 2009. The rates will be used to calculate deductible costs for driving an automobile for business, charitable, medical and moving purposes. The new mileage rates for business, medical and moving purposes will be slightly lower than the rates for the second half of 2008, which were raised in the middle of last year due to spiking gas prices. The rate for charitable driving, however, is set by law and will remain unchanged from 2008. Beginning January 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for 2009 are as follows:
Overall, these rates reflect the higher transportation costs compared to a year ago. However, the rates are slightly lower than the second half of 2008 to factor in the recent drop in gasoline prices. While gasoline is a significant factor in the mileage rate, other fixed and variable costs, such as depreciation, also enter the calculation. But before you calculate your deduction, make sure you qualify. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they cannot use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. Remember, you don't have to use the standard rate! Although the IRS provides the standard mileage rate for ease and convenience, you're not required to use it. If you choose, you have the option of calculating the actual costs of using your vehicle instead of using the standard mileage rates. So keep that in mind as you calculate your automobile usage for business, medical, moving, or charity driving in 2009! 1:03 PM - Jan. 16, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentSave on Child Care CostsAccording to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, full–time child care can reach up to $14,000 a year for a single infant. And while child care is the last thing you want to be cheap about, there are a few proven and practical ways to limit your costs, which can really help in today's tough economy. Schedule for Success and Savings – For many couples, a simple change in schedule can cut down on the amount of child care you need each week. While having one spouse work the day shift and the other work the night shift might eliminate child care altogether, this could be very stressful on your relationship. But what if you just altered your schedules slightly? For example, if one spouse works from 7 am to 3 pm and the other works 10 am to 6 pm, this would cut down on child care and might not affect your time together as much. For couples who work together or even close together, working the same schedule could be more beneficial to child care costs and your marriage. 7:00 PM - Jan. 12, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentMoney saving tipsThe following ideas are courtesy of americasaves.org Start saving money every day by paying attention to your finances. Money can be an ugly word, so stay on top of your funds and where they are being spent and saved. Find ways to eliminate unnecessary spending and reduce monthly bills. Balancing your household budget and living within your means is an essential step to living a life without worrying about money. Below are some helpful money saving tips.
Cook and eat in more. Instead of eating out for lunch and/or dinner, save huge amounts of money by creating a simple menu, buying the groceries and cooking at home. You can create very easy dinners in 15 minutes or less and the cost is a fraction of what it costs to eat out. Prepare a sandwich or leftovers the night before and bring your lunch to work.
Bike, walk, carpool and save gas money. If you even replace a few trips a week with a bike ride or walking you will save money on gas and you will also increase your exercise!
”Get rid of it!” Live this motto and start counting your savings. Anything you don’t use such as club memberships, magazine subscriptions, credit cards with monthly fees, etc., cancel them. If you don’t use them it’s like throwing money out the window. Pay yourself. Can’t figure out where your money goes every month? Feel like you should have extra but it gets spent on meaningless goods or impulse buys? Start saving those extra dollars and treat it like you are paying a bill, but instead are actually depositing a ‘paycheck’ into a savings account, mutual fund, 401k, etc.
Eliminate credit-card debt. Of course this is easier said than done, so here are some tips to help you. Start by making a spreadsheet of your credit card bills, their interest rates and what you owe. Pay off the higher interest rate cards first, once paid off, cancel them. Once your debt is paid off completely, look for credit cards with low interest rates and no monthly fee. From there on out pay off the entire balance every month and use credit cards sparingly. If you have high credit card debt, transfer your credit card balances to a card with a lower interest rate ASAP. You’ll save $730 if you transfer a $2,000 balance from an 18% card to an 8.25% card and then pay off your balance at a rate of $50 a month. Avoid late fees by contacting your credit card company and changing your due dates so you have the funds to pay your bill on time. Kick the habit. Quit smoking and save more than$2,000 a year if you go from being a pack-a-day smoker to a non-smoker. You’ll also qualify for significantly cheaper life insurance rates after you quit.
Monthly Money Savings
Save $.50 a day in loose change . . .$15
Cut soda/pop consumption by 1 liter a week . . .$6
At work, substitute 1 coffee for 1 cappuccino $40 Bring lunch to work (saving estimated $3/day) . . .$60
Eat out 2 fewer times a month . . .$30 Borrow, rather than buying, one book a month . . .$15
Bounce one less check a month . . .$20 Maintain checking account minimum to avoid fees . . .$7
Pay credit card bill on time to avoid late fee . . .$25 Pay off $1000 of credit card debt, reducing interest . . . $15
Save up to $233 a month! 6:34 PM - Jan. 8, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentNew Year's Revolutionsthis article is by Michael Guld who is an author, speaker, entrepreneur and radio commentator whose business development expertise lies in the “soft skills”; increasing sales performance, marketing exposure, employee productivity and creating a world-class service experience. He is the president of The Guld Resource Group and creator of “Talking Business with Michael Guld,” airing on Central Virginia’s Public Radio and heard at www.talkingbiz.net.
While the origin of New Year’s resolutions goes back as far as 153 B.C., in modern day times, they usually evoke feelings of guilt. Most verbs associated with resolutions are restrictive in nature, including “to quit, stop, loose, reduce or eliminate.” The implication is that you need to improve, fix or repair something that’s broke or not complete. By its very nature, people see New Year’s resolutions as a difficult exercise at best, requiring discipline, determination and willpower…which are not exactly energizing words. As a result, most people “make” the resolutions January 1, and usually begin to “break” them by February 1 as their commitment fades and enthusiasm for attainment wanes. Case in point: The extreme increase in traffic at a health club the beginning of the year, which quickly subsides as the weeks and months progress. Well here’s an idea: This year, consider creating New Year’s “reVolutions,” transformational actions that will lead to breakthrough results. New Year’s reVolutions can energize and invigorate by the thought of “what’s possible.” By definition, which one of the below would inspire you to get out of bed January 1? - A resolution - a solution, accommodation or settling of a problem New Year’s revolutions are personal and broader in scope than the traditional resolutions. The framing of your revolutions requires stepping back and deciding what do you want to be as opposed to what you need to do. If someone were to introduce you to a large crowd recognizing you for your accomplishments, what would you want your bio to say? Are you on track to be that person? If not, what actionable steps can you take today that will help you get there tomorrow? To help increase the chances of keeping inspired (vs. disciplined) with your New Year’s revolutions, follow these 10 tips: Goals are dreams with a deadline - Dreams are all about “wants and desires” with no commitment, where goals are “concrete and defined” with commitment. Where do you ultimately want to be and what do you want to do? Imagine limitless opportunities and be willing to take a chance to lay yourself on the line to achieve them. Write down three actionable goals that you can visualize and that you WILL achieve by the end of 2009. Keep them in front of you at all times so your daily actions will lead you to the attainment of these goals. Positive attitude plus positive actions equal positive results - While having a positive mental attitude is a good start, it is the positive actions that follow that will lead to success (vs. wanting, hoping and waiting for them to happen). Make a plan on how you will achieve each goal with mini-plans, mini-goals and corresponding dates for each. Follow your passion - Commit to doing more of what you enjoy doing that invigorates, provides pleasure and satisfaction and less of what you do not enjoy that leads to procrastination and stress (delegate, hire out, etc.). Your chores are other people’s challenges. Soar with your strengths - Spend more time on those projects, tasks or activities that accentuate your talents and natural gifts and less time on the improvement of your weaknesses or shortcomings (delegate to others). By focusing on your strengths - what you are naturally good at - you will have a higher self-esteem, be more professionally fulfilled and you will ultimately be far more successful. Be the organized executive - Being overwhelmed with clutter can make you feel busier than you actually are. Start the year fresh by doing a total catharsis or cleansing. Go through every piece of paper in every file with a goal to trash it, box it (future needs) or re-file it (near term needs). Your files will be reduced by 66 to 75 percent. You will start out the year with a refreshed attitude. Begin or end each day with 20 minutes worth of organizing, even if it means hiding piles until you can get to them. Re-analyze your “to-do list.” Does it look more like an annual plan? Are you working 10, 12 and 14-hour days and you still don’t feel like you get it all done? Go back through your “to-do list” and prioritize it to “do it,” “delegate it” or “scratch it.” Prioritize your list so you can do more of what brings you personal, professional and monetary rewards and less of what steals your time. Make sure you add in your “want to-do list” items, as opposed to only those tasks that others ask you to do. Compartmentalize your priorities - Once you have decided on your priorities of the day, week, month, and year, focus on the tasks at hand…setting up firewalls to keep any distractions from diluting your focus. While we have two arms, two eyes and two ears, we only have one brain, so it is extremely difficult to concentrate on two or more projects and do them well at the very same time. Change the way you see everything - By reprogramming your brain to see opportunities vs. obstacles, challenges vs. chores and celebrate what you’ve accomplished vs. feeling bad about what you have not, you will increase your energy, improve your attitude and raise your level of professional satisfaction. Surround yourself with positive people - Good attitudes are contagious, elevating organizations to heights previously thought unreachable, but bad attitudes are more contagious, draining energy, accelerating discontent, and destroying morale. Choose to spend your precious time with people that will support you, encourage you and celebrate in your success. Reinvent yourself - Even performers like Madonna realize that change is cathartic, energizing and can be very good for a career. It is easy to become stale and accept the way things are if we don’t shake it up every once and a while, even in our dress and our surroundings. While we now have new technologies like cell phones, e-mail, PDAs, wireless cards - all designed to save us time, make us more efficient and more effective - the reality is they can be pulls and distractions as well - taking us off tasks to what is truly important. Do not become a slave to technology, but instead use technology as a tool to help you achieve your goals. Finally, we all have a goal to “get it all done,” when in reality we have to accept that we will never “get it all done.” There is no way to accomplish all that we want to do plus all that is asked from us by our work, family, friends and organizations. The reality is wherever we spend our precious resources - time, money and energy - is where we will get the greatest results. Decide first on what results you want to accomplish in 2009, and spend your time, energy and focus to achieve your New Year’s reVolutions. . 1:54 PM - Jan. 5, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentFinding a job in a tough marketFinding a job during tough economic times doesn't have to be tough...if you know which strategies work. Here are some tips for beating the odds: Take Networking to the Next Level: Networking is always a great job strategy, but in the current economic climate, you need to go a step beyond letting your contacts know you are looking for a job, since many other people may be doing the same thing. Instead, develop a compelling business idea for your field or the field you would like to enter. Then, when you call or email your contacts, let them know you are researching your idea and would like to meet with industry insiders to discuss its viability. With this strategy, people will see you as someone with something to offer them, rather than as someone who needs something. And if the people you meet with like your idea, your meetings could lead to a job offer even though you never asked for a job. Focus on Sectors That Are Hiring: No matter what industry your background is in, the skills or experience you possess may qualify you for a position in a new field. For instance, sales and customer relations are skills needed in a variety of industries. To begin, make a list of your experiences and skills that could help you find a job in a sector that is currently hiring. Then, gear your resume and cover letter to focus on these particular skills and experiences. Aim for Your Dream Job: Many job seekers begin to panic and apply for any job that's available. This is a mistake for several reasons. First, passion and enthusiasm are your best weapons for succeeding in your job search. Employers can tell the difference between someone who really wants to work for them...and someone who will take any job. Second, when you are focused on finding a specific job versus any job, you make it easier for friends and colleagues to help you because they will have a clearer idea of who they could contact for you. Third, if you're in the middle of a job transition, why not use the opportunity to enter the profession you have always wanted to try? Be Creative About How You Start: During tough markets, many businesses are hesitant to add new employees and increase their level of fixed costs. You can offer to begin as an independent contractor for a period of time before receiving a review and possibly a future permanent job. This would give you a chance to earn an income while demonstrating your skills and value to the company. In turn, it lets the company evaluate your performance in a less costly way, because you would not receive benefits during this time; and with less risk for the company than having to make the decision to hire a permanent employee. You could also volunteer your way to a paid job. Many nonprofit organizations have powerful executives on their boards. By demonstrating your skills and work ethic as a volunteer, you could meet important connections that could lead to your next position. 12:17 PM - Jan. 4, 2009 - comments {0} - post commentUse those gift cardsGift cards have become extremely popular. In fact, the variety of cards offered and the sheer convenience of these little plastic gems have created a new global culture of gift–giving that few could ever have anticipated. The National Retailers Federation estimates that a total of $97 billion in gift cards – $26.3 billion during the holidays alone – were purchased in the US last year. This year, however, experts say that this hassle–free holiday gift may have met its match: a tough economy. Earlier this year, when Sharper Image declared bankruptcy, nearly $20 million in gift cards were instantly voided, forcing shoppers to suddenly reconsider the merits of the gift card. Remember, unlike banks accounts, gift cards are not protected by the FDIC or anyone, and there is no guarantee that you can redeem the value of the card if a company goes under. And with other major retailers filing for bankruptcy protection recently (Circuit City, Mervyns, and Linens–N–Things, to name a few) giving gift cards this year could be as risky as playing the stock market. 6:56 PM - Dec. 24, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentAre Safe Deposit Boxes Safe?We all have important documents and valuables in our homes that we want to protect from theft and disaster. For many people, safe deposit boxes at banks provide a safe place to store those valuables outside of the home. After all, file cabinets and even fire-resistant cases in your house are still susceptible to intense fires, water damage, and even theft. But, did you know that safe deposit boxes may be susceptible as well? In fact, during the attack on the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina hundreds of bank vaults were damaged or destroyed. Worse yet, valuables stored in a safe deposit box aren't insured by the bank if damage or theft occurs. And if you use a safe deposit box to sock away cash for an emergency, you may be surprised to know that a safe deposit box isn't completely protected. Law enforcement officers can get a court order to raid your safe deposit box, and if the IRS ever freezes your assets, that freeze includes your cash and valuables in a safe deposit box. All this doesn't mean that you should hide valuables and cash in your closet or drawer...but it does mean you should take precautions and specific steps to make sure your valuables are protected if you put them in a safe deposit box. If you have a safe deposit box or are considering getting one, the following steps can help you make sure your documents and valuables are protected:
Finally, make sure you inform your family members and your attorney about your safe deposit box! Otherwise, the contents may revert to the state when you pass away. 2:51 PM - Dec. 20, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentSave on Your Credit Score this Holiday SeasonTo help you make sure you manage your credit cards--and your credit score--during the upcoming holiday spending season, follow these steps: Double-check your card limits. Many credit card companies today have started lowering credit limits. That means you have less credit available, but it also may mean that your credit score is about to take a hit. That's because approximately 30% of your credit score is based on the amount you owe in relation to your available credit. So, if a credit card company cuts back your limit, you may find that you're suddenly almost maxed out. That's not a good sign for your long-term credit score rating. Ask, pay down, or move around. If some of your credit limits have changed or are nearly maxed out, you can take a few steps to help alleviate the problem. First, consider simply asking for a higher limit to your card...not necessarily to use up with spending, but to allow more unused credit line to be available and therefore boost your credit score. You can also pay more money to the cards that are near the credit limit, if you can. Or, if you have cards with little to no remaining credit line, transfer some of the larger balances onto the cards with lower balances. That'll give you a more... well... balanced financial picture. Leave home without it. One of the best tips for the holiday season is to: make a budget, identify specific items, and then leave home without your credit card. Instead, bring just enough cash to purchase the items on your list. That will help you resist the urge to impulse buy, and keep your credit card balances lower. Pick a card... not just any card. If you can't bring cash, make a credit card plan. Identify specific items that you'll pay for on specific cards. By making a plan and spreading your purchases to different cards, you won't overspend and you won't risk running up one or two cards that are near the credit limit, which will hurt your credit rating. Resist card offers at the counter. Retailers are famous for offering "savings" when you open a credit card. But those savings often don't outweigh the long- and short-term negatives. For one thing, opening a new account--or multiple accounts in a short period of time--can negatively impact your credit score. In addition, consumers often spend more than planned when a new card is suddenly available. So this holiday season, resist the temptation. Stay active. If you have older cards that you don't use, make sure you keep them active. For one thing, some of those older cards help establish a longer history of positive credit. For another, the available credit on those older cards can help keep your credit score higher because it improves your overall debt-to-credit ratio. To keep those cards active, make sure you charge one or two items on them throughout the year... like, say, when you go shopping for the holidays. Then, pay them off when the bill comes in. Always pay on time. Your payment record is a very large part of your credit score, so it's crucial that you have an idea how your holiday shopping will impact your credit card bills and that you make a plan to pay those bills on time. If you have trouble for any reason, contact your card companies right away to work out a plan that helps you pay down your debt... and save your credit rating from a huge hit. 6:26 PM - Dec. 3, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentFighting Medicare claim denialsWhen an insurance company denies a claim in whole or in part, it is possible to appeal their decision. The same is true with Medicare claims...and in fact more than half of Medicare appeals are successful. If you, a family member, or a friend have had a Medicare claim denied, the following information can help you successfully appeal the decision: Time Frame: If your Medicare claim is denied for less than the full amount, you can ask for a "redetermination" but you must do so within 120 days. Download the Medicare Redetermination Request form at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/cmsforms/downloads/cms20027.pdf, or call 800-633-4227 to receive a copy. Common Denials: The denial you received will include an explanation, which you will need to contest in your appeal. Ask your doctor to write a letter addressing the reasons in the denial and include this letter with your appeals form. Common denials include:
Be Persistent: If your first appeal is denied, you can file as many as four more appeals. And the more appeals you file, the greater your odds of success. While your first appeal is made to the same group that denied your initial claim, subsequent appeals are made to independent arbiters. For more information, visit www.medicareadvocacy.org. 5:34 PM - Nov. 26, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentMedical Identity TheftWith identity theft on the rise these days, most of us are already taking steps to protect ourselves. But did you know that there’s now a growing form of identity theft known as “medical identity theft” that can not only devastate victims’ finances, but also compromise their health, too. According to Joy Pritts, JD, author of Your Medical Record Rights, here’s what you need to know. What is Medical Identity Theft?Medical identity theft occurs when criminals access victims’ medical records. Since medical records contain a person’s social security number and credit card information (if bills have been paid via credit card), criminals can open accounts and make fraudulent charges. However, criminals also gain access to victims’ health insurance policy information and medical histories, and they can create forged health insurance cards to sell to people who are uninsured and need expensive medical treatment. A person who buys a fake health insurance ID card would then seek treatment using the victim’s name and policy number, and then disappear, leaving the victim with the bills to pay. Why Should You Be Concerned?Victims of medical identity theft not only have to repair their credit and convince credit agencies and service providers that bills are fraudulent, they also have to correct inaccurate medical information that becomes part of their health records. Victims could be denied life insurance or individual health insurance if their record shows treatments that they did not have. In addition, victims could receive treatments or medicines that could be harmful to them on the basis of inaccurate content in their medical records. Steps to Take if You Suspect a Medical Identity Theft
To learn more about your medical record rights, visit http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/privacy/records.html. 5:43 PM - Nov. 22, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentThanksgiving is almost here
Thanksgiving is almost upon us! This popular autumn holiday traces its roots back to early colonists landing in the new world. It took nearly 300 years, however, for Thanksgiving to officially become a national holiday in the United States. Despite the popular belief that Thanksgiving originated with the colony at Plymouth Plantation in 1621, researchers have actually pinpointed the first Thanksgiving 56 years earlier. According to scholars, the first known Thanksgiving took place during September 1565, in Saint Augustine, Florida when Spanish settlers held a Mass of Thanksgiving after arriving safely in the new world. English settlers in the Virginia Colony held a similar day of thanks in 1619. Two years later, the colonists at Plymouth Plantation celebrated the famed Thanksgiving of 1621. The celebration continued when the colonies became the United States of America. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. The tradition of thanks was carried on sporadically by President John Adams in 1798 and 1799, as well as President James Madison in 1814 and 1815. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Years later, President Franklin Roosevelt stated that Thanksgiving should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month–as opposed to the occasional fifth Thursday. Eel and Seal...Mmmmm! My favorite! What exactly did the colonists eat at the early Thanksgiving celebrations? According to food historian Kathleen Curtin, the answer may surprise you. In addition to wild turkey, other popular sources of meat that were likely served include eel, clams, lobster, wild goose, eagles, venison, and seal...yes, seal. Peas, beans, and carrots were probably on the table, but sweet potatoes and corn on the cob weren't. And although pumpkins were likely consumed, pumpkin pie wasn't on the menu because no recipe existed for it at that time. Talking Turkey...271 Million Turkeys! Today, turkeys are a popular choice for Thanksgiving and holiday feasts. This popularity has turned turkey farming into a big business. In fact, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service estimates that 271 million turkeys will be raised in the U.S. this year alone. Weighing In on What We Eat Ever wonder how many cranberries, pumpkins, and other Thanksgiving Day foods we go through each year? The U.S. Census Bureau has the skinny! According to their research, the U.S. will produce some serious poundage this year alone when it comes to these holiday favorites, including:
No wonder we feel so full after those holiday meals! Can Turkey Really Make You Tired? Here's how the story goes. Turkey contains tryptophan...which helps the body produce niacin...which then helps produce serotonin. And serotonin is the key to this theory because it calms the brain and induces sleep. The problem with that theory is that tryptophan actually works best on an empty stomach–which most of us don't have after our Thanksgiving feast! So, it's more likely that the heaviness and the high carbohydrate content of the entire Thanksgiving meal are responsible for that sense of lethargy you feel, as your body works to digest it all. Add a glass of wine or other alcohol to your meal, and you'll increase that feeling of sleepiness even more. Then again, we all work hard throughout the year, so maybe that tired sensation is just your body requesting a well-deserved nap. 3:34 PM - Nov. 21, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentThe Salt of lifeThis article is by Kirk Leins who has been cooking his entire life. No stranger to professional kitchens, he currently devotes most of his time to cooking instruction, food writing, and producing television. Salt – it is a simple word, yet a complicated subject, well kind of. Scientifically speaking, it is a very basic compound. Historically, however, we are talking about one of the world's oldest and richest resources, with applications ranging from food to textiles. So, do yourself a "flavor" and follow along as I apply a little reasoning to the world's greatest seasoning. What is salt? The compound known as salt is absolutely crucial to life as we know it. Our bodies actually require it in order to regulate fluid levels. Salt also happens to be pretty important to the world's economy, as it has literally thousands of commercial applications. Paper, dyes and detergents all contain salt. Think about how many products and services utilize at least one of the three. It is also used to soften water, deliver trace minerals to livestock, keep our roads free of snow and ice, and preserve food. Salt even has a deep meaning within many religions. In Catholicism, its use as a purifier dates back to the Old Testament. It is believed that the word "salvation" actually stems from this practice. In Judaism, salt was used historically as a temple offering on the Sabbath. To this day, salt water is part of a traditional Passover dinner, symbolizing the tears of Jewish slaves. In eastern religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism, salt is thought to drive away evil spirits. If you haven't already figured it out, salt is such a large subject that a complete examination would require a doctoral thesis. My goal, rather, is to impress upon you one idea - salt is hugely important to the body, mind and soul. 3 types of salt Iodized Salt (table salt) Personally, the only time I ever utilize table salt is if I'm at a restaurant and my food comes to me under-seasoned. I hardly use it at home as I don't cook with it, and rarely do I bake with it. It's considered to be very salty in flavor and due to its superfine texture it is difficult to determine how much you're actually using without measuring it first. Kosher Salt Sea Salt 4:04 PM - Nov. 16, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentTreat your teeth this holiday seasonThe holidays are approaching quickly. And that means you'll soon find yourself in a season of sugar and sweets that extends from Halloween night to New Year's Day. While many people are conscious of the toll that holiday food can take on their weight–and their waistlines–many people forget that the holiday season can be just as hard on their teeth. The reason for the extra wear on your teeth is actually pretty simple. Your teeth and gums are covered with a sticky film called plaque. Most of us have heard of plaque, but we may not know how it leads to tooth decay and cavities. Essentially, when the plaque on your teeth comes in contact with sugar or starch, it begins to produce acid... and that acid eats away at your tooth enamel. With that in mind, it's easy to see how the constant snacking and sugary treats of the holiday season can wreak havoc on your teeth. To help make sure your teeth stay healthy this holiday season, follow these tips from the American Dental Association (ADA). Avoid sticky situations. Sticky treats–such as gummy candies, hard candies, and even the sweets in fruit cakes–don't wash off your teeth as easily as other sweets, like chocolate. As a result, the stickier treats sit on your teeth longer, slowly eating away at your teeth minute by minute. Eat dessert with your meal. While you're chewing your meal, your mouth produces additional saliva. That saliva not only helps break down the food for your stomach, but it also helps neutralize the acid produced by plaque and it helps rinse those sweets off your teeth. Don't snack between meals. Sugar causes your mouth to produce acid. But so does starch. That means, in addition to candy and cookies, you can add things like bread, crackers, and even cereal to the list of snacks that can harm your teeth. Now add to that the fact that your mouth continues to produce acid up to 20 minutes after you eat. That means, if you snack between meals, your mouth may be producing acid nearly all day long. So, if you can, cut down on the between-meal snacks. If you're hungry and absolutely need something to eat, choose a healthy alternative like vegetables, fruit, cheese, and even yogurt to help minimize the acid production. Chew gum. Chewing gum is a lot like chewing food... your mouth can't help but produce a lot of additional saliva. And as you know from the tips above, saliva helps combat acid and helps rinse your teeth. So, after a meal or a snack, toss a piece of sugar-free gum in your mouth and help fight tooth decay with each chomp. Drink plenty of water. Like saliva, water helps rinse your teeth clean. Better still, water that's fortified with fluoride helps give your teeth an extra little boost of healthy goodness. So make sure you drink plenty of water during the holiday season. And, if you purchase bottled water, check the label to see if the contents include a dose of fluoride. Brush-a-brush. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. For an animated look at how to best brush and floss your teeth, watch the ADA's animated tips for brushing and flossing. Finally, remember to visit your dentist regularly and make sure to mention any issues or concerns you have. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your teeth stay healthy while you enjoy the holiday season. 3:59 PM - Nov. 14, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment
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