News To Use
** NEWS TO USE
From the Kingsport Times News
If you receive an e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service claiming you’re eligible for an economic stimulus payment if you simply complete an online form — hit the delete button.
Phishing scams attempting to steal your personal information are polluting e-mail in-boxes these days.
The Times-News on Monday received some of the e-mails, claiming to be from the IRS.
“After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a Stimulus Payment,” one e-mail read. “Please submit the Stimulus Payment Online Form in order to process it. A Stimulus Payment can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. To submit your Stimulus Payment form, please download the attached document. Regards, Internal Revenue Service.”
IRS spokesman Dan Boone said the e-mail is the latest attempt at phishing to steal taxpayer identities.
He said the IRS does not request detailed personal information via e-mail. And the IRS does not send e-mail requesting a taxpayer’s PIN number, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks and other financial institutions.
Boone said consumers who receive such phishing e-mails should not open any attachments because they may contain malicious code designed to infect your computer.
“Be careful — if you clicked on the link, it may have downloaded spyware onto your computer that would allow the scammers to steal passwords” and other personal information, Boone said.
The IRS suggests forwarding such e-mail to its Web site at phishing@irs.gov, and then deleting the message.
SENIOR VETERANS ARE TARGETS OF AREA SCAMS
Published 01/26/2008 By Sharon Caskey Hayes (Kingsport Times-News)
CHURCH HILL — A scam targeting seniors who are also veterans of the military has surfaced in the region.
A Church Hill woman who doesn’t want to be identified said she received a call at home Monday from someone claiming to represent veterans, saying the Veterans Administration was issuing new identification cards, and needed to verify Social Security numbers and bank account information.
She believed the caller and gave the information over the phone.
After learning about the phone call, her husband, a military veteran, contacted the VA and Social Security, and learned that no new ID cards are being issued, and no such phone activity is being conducted by the legitimate authorities.
“If they can scam us, they can scam anybody out here,” he said.
He said he’s already contacted his bank and had his account numbers changed. But he’s worried the scammers will use his and his wife’s Social Security numbers to establish credit card accounts. He said he plans to monitor his credit regularly.
“It’s going to take a while to get it all straightened out,” he said. “I just don’t want to see this happen to anybody else.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation advises against giving out personal information over the phone. The FBI says that scammers target seniors because they are most likely to have a “nest egg” from their years of work. Seniors also tend to be polite and trusting, may be lonely and willing to talk to strangers, and are less likely to report fraud or abuse.
The Tennessee Department of Consumer Affairs earlier this month issued tips for victims of credit fraud. The department says that victims of fraud can place either a fraud alert or credit freeze — or both — on their credit report. Both methods are designed to help prevent thieves from establishing credit in your name.
With a fraud alert, which is free to consumers, potential creditors must either contact you or use what the law refers to as “reasonable policies and procedures” to verify your identify before issuing credit in your name.
A credit freeze, which is available for a fee, will prevent potential creditors and other third parties from accessing your credit report, unless you lift the freeze.
The Department of Consumer Affairs recommends that victims of fraud contact one of the three credit reporting agencies and their local law enforcement as soon as possible.
To contact Equifax, call 1-800-525-6285 or visit www.equifax.com.
To contact Experian, call 1-888-397-3742 or visit www.experian.com.
And to contact Trans Union, call 1-800-680-7289 or visit www.transunion.com.
For more information about identity theft and credit fraud, contact the Consumer Affairs Division at (615) 741-4737 or visit www.state.tn.us/consumer.
FROM BRISTOL HERALD COURIER - JANUARY 14, 2008:
Social Security scam circulating through Tri-Cities
Monday, Jan 14, 2008 - 05:26 PM
BY Nate Morabito
Next time you answer your phone, investigators want you to be careful about what you reveal to the person on the other end of the line. That warning comes after a scam artist, claiming to be with the Social Security Administration, tried to steal from a Tri-Cities woman. That woman contacted Your Tri-Cities News Source and we investigated her claims. Despite the scammer admitting he's a fraud, he is still working to take money from people like you.
If you receive a similar call, you should call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to verify the person's identity and reason for calling.
A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.
When you eat too much, your hearing becomes less sharp.
Apples are more efficient than caffeine in keeping people awake in the morning.
A lump of pure gold the size of a matchbox can be flattened into a sheet the size of a tennis court.
More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
Most car horns honk in the key of 'F'.
In Texas it's illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.
It's illegal in Alabama to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
You're subject to fines and/or imprisonment for making ugly faces at dogs in Oklahoma.
It's against the law to burp or sneeze in a church in Omaha, Nebraska.
315 entries in Webster's 1996 dictionary were mispelled.
By the age of 60, most people have lost 50% of their taste buds.
Kleenex tissues were originally used as filters in gas masks.
Oak trees are struck by lightning more than any other tree.
The earth travels through space at 660,000 miles per hour.
When a giraffe's baby is born it falls from a height of six feet, normally without being hurt.
- Corn Oil eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of corn oil in your cat's ear...Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
- Dishwashing liquid kills fleas instantly...Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.
-Dryer sheets are a rainy day cure for dog odor ...Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
- Did You Know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional 'pain relievers.
- Did you know that toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
- Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
- Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
- Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
- Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly -- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
- Honey remedy for skin blemishes ...Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
- Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
- Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
- Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer ... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
- Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
- Hunt's tomato paste boil cure ... cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
- Balm for broken blisters ... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine. A powerful antiseptic.
- Vinegar to heal bruises ... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
- Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... It's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
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Why do we have a leap year (as in this year) and why is it in February?
The issue of leap year and the weirdness of February is always worth looking at because, coming so infrequently, who can remember the explanation for it from the last time?
The earth revolves around the sun every 365.24 days, not an even 365. That produces an extra day's worth of hours every four years. We could distribute them as a bonus to everyone--a one-day time-out every fourth year in which the clock is stopped and we stay in bed all day. But we don't. Instead we add an extra day onto February.
Why February? It was originally the last month on the Roman calendar and a logical place to stick the extra day. But Julius Caesar changed the first month to January, stranding February and its little peculiarity in the second spot.
WHERE DID THESE PHRASES COME FROM?"
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
Meaning
The show is over - go home.
This was announced at the end of Elvis Presley's concerts to encourage fans to accept that there would be no further encores and to go home. It is now used more widely to indicate that someone has made an exit or that something is complete.
Oddly, although the phrase was routinely used to encourage the audience to leave, the first time that it was announced it was to encourage them to stay in their seats. That first use was in December 1956 by Horace Logan, who was the announcer at the Louisiana Hayride show, in which Elvis was a regular performer. Presley had very quickly become very popular with teenagers but had previously taken a regular lowly spot at the Hayride, which was his first big break. He was on the bill quite early in proceedings but after his performance was over and the encore complete, the crowd of teenagers, who weren't Hillbilly enthusiasts, began to leave. Logan announced:
"Please, young people ... Elvis has left the building. He has gotten in his car and driven away ... Please take your seats"
Al Dvorin was the regular stage announcer for Elvis Presley during the 1970s. He picked up the phrase and his version can be heard on several live recordings.
"GO HAYWIRE"
Meaning
Become out of control.
Origin
The allusion in this saying is a literal one, to hay-wire - the light wire that is used in hay baling machines. If the machines malfunction the wire can rapidly gather into an irretrievable tangle.
"PIG IN A POKE"
An offering or deal that is foolishly accepted without being examined first.
'Don't buy a pig in a poke' might seem odd and archaic language. It's true that the phrase is very old, but actually it can be taken quite literally and remains good advice.
The advice being given is 'don't buy a pig until you have seen it'. This is enshrined in British commercial law as 'caveat emptor' - Latin for 'let the buyer beware'. This remains the guiding principle of commerce in many countries and, in essence, supports the view that if you buy something you take responsibility to make sure it is what you intended to buy.
"CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR"
Fall just short of a successful outcome and get nothing for your efforts.
The phrase, and its variant 'nice try, but no cigar', are of US origin and date from the mid-20th century. Fairground stalls gave out cigars as prizes, and this is the most likely source, although there's no definitive evidence to prove that.
It is first recorded in print in Sayre and Twist's publishing of the script of the 1935 film version of Annie Oakley:
"Close, Colonel, but no cigar!"
It appears in U. S. newspapers widely from around 1949 onwards. For example, a story from The Lima News, Lima, Ohio, November 1949, where The Lima House Cigar and Sporting Goods Store narrowly avoided being burned down in a fire, was titled 'Close But No Cigar'.
"FACE THE MUSIC"
Accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.
This may originate from the tradition of disgraced officers being 'drummed out' of their regiment, although there is no clear evidence to prove that theory. The phrase appears to be mid 19th American in origin and the earliest citation I can find for the phrase is from The Zanesville Courier, September 1848:
"One would think, at first sight, they [Lewis Cass's supporters in the 1848 US presidential election] had a pretty fair ground and could make a pretty good fight; but some how they don't face the music."
As you can see, that makes no reference to 'drumming out'.
"KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES"
Strive to match one's neighbours in spending and social standing.
This term is 20th century American. It originated with Arthur (Pop) Momand's Keep Up With The Joneses comic strip in the New York Globe. The strip was first published in 1913 and became popular quite quickly. By September 1915, a cartoon film of the same name was touring US cinemas.
The 'Joneses' in the cartoon weren't based on anyone in particular, and they weren't portrayed in the cartoon itself. Jones was a very common name and 'the Joneses' was merely a generic name for 'the neighbours'.
"RED-LETTER DAY"
In earlier times a church festival or saint's day; more recently, any special day.
This comes from the practise of marking the dates of church festivals on calendars in red.
"I'M STUMPED"
Stumped: Stuck - unable to proceed, often regarding being confounded by some intellectual puzzle.
Origin
Some authorities have supposed that this derives from the development of the road system in the USA. When these highways were being built the stumps of sawn down trees could be no more than 15 inches tall. This was fine for the high axle wagons until rain softened the soil, at which time wagons would sink into the mud and were 'stumped'. This is a good story, albeit one that doesn't come packaged with any real evidence. Others have suggested that it might be from cricket, in which a batsman is out if the wicketkeeper removes the stumps with the ball when the batsman is out of his ground. This explanation is also lacking supporting evidence and in any case doesn't really match the meaning of the expression.
"LAY IT ON WITH A TROWEL"
To crudely labour a point, or flatter in an overly generous manner.
From Shakespeare's As You Like It, 1600.
LE BEAU: Fair princess, you have lost much good sport.
CELIA: Sport! of what colour?
LE BEAU: What colour, madam! how shall I answer you?
ROSALIND: As wit and fortune will.
TOUCHSTONE: Or as the Destinies decree.
CELIA: Well said: that was laid on with a trowel.
"A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART"
A kindred spirit - someone I can agree with.
The term originates from the Bible (King James Version):
Samuel 13:14:
But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
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"ARCHAEOLOGIST FINDS TOMB OF KING HEROD"
An Israeli archaeologist has found the tomb of King Herod, the legendary builder of ancient Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Hebrew University said late Monday.
The tomb is at a site called Herodium, a flattened hilltop in the Judean Desert, clearly visible from southern Jerusalem. Herod built a palace on the hill, and researchers discovered his burial site there, the university said.
The university had hoped to keep the find a secret until Tuesday, when it planned a news conference to disclose the find in detail, but the Haaretz newspaper found out about the discovery and published an article on its Web site.
Herod became the ruler of the Holy Land under the Romans around 74 B.C. The wall he built around the Old City of Jerusalem still stands, and he also ordered big construction projects in Caesaria, Jericho, the hilltop fortress of Massada and other sites.
It has long been assumed Herod was buried at Herodium, but decades of excavations had failed to turn up the site. The 1st century historian Josephus Flavius described the tomb and Herod's funeral procession.
Haaretz said the tomb was found by archaeologist Ehud Netzer, a Hebrew University professor who has been working at Herodium since 1972. The paper said the tomb was in a previously unexplored area between the two palaces Herod built on the site. Herod died in 4 B.C. in Jericho.
Herodium was one of the last strong points held by Jewish rebels fighting against the Romans, and it was conquered and destroyed by Roman troops in A.D. 71, a year after they destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
"TAPS"
We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.
But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly , it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention Crawling on his stomach through
the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born.
The words are:
Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky.
As we go.
This we know.
God is nigh
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CONTAINER GARDENING
You can have fun when gardening in containers. Also, you can enjoy the fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs. To get the most from your garden, you need to have the right growing container, soil type, fertilizer, and enough water and sunlight.
Why Garden in Containers?
You do not have much space available for a garden.
You want to grow only a few plants.
The garden space you have may be poor because of too much shade, poor soil, or soil diseases.
You want to protect the plants from animals.
So you can move the plants into sheltered places to avoid early or late frost, summer's heat or wind.
Containers
Choose containers that are big enough to hold the plants and allow the roots to grow. Plastic or clay pots, old pails, bushel baskets, plastic buckets, wash tubs, wooden planters or hanging baskets will hold vegetables, herbs or flowers. The container must have holes in the bottom for the water to drain out. Water should drain away from the plants to prevent rot.
Containers should be at least six to eight inches deep. Put rocks, pebbles, or styrofoam in the bottom of the pot before filling.
Growing Plants
Soil - Some garden soil may be very heavy. To improve heavy soil, you need to mix equal amounts of garden soil with equal parts of peat moss and equal parts of sand, vermiculite or perlite. Also, you can buy already prepared, packaged, planting soil or houseplant soil. Leave at least one inch of space at the top of the pot.
Plants - Plants or seeds labeled "Compact," "Bush" or "Dwarf" will do best in your container garden.
Light - Think about how much sun the plant needs as you decide where to place the container garden. Plants, which grow in the shade, need at least five hours of sun each day. Plants, which grow in full sun, need eight hours of sun each day.
Fertilizer - Use one teaspoon of water soluble fertilizer per gallon of water every second or third watering.
Water - Keep soil moist. Water until it comes out the bottom. Water every day when it is 80 degrees outside. Sometimes large plants need watering two times a day when very hot outside, such as 95 degrees.
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TIPS FOR SENIORS - PROTECTING AGAINST FRAUD
It's sometimes hard to tell if a sales pitch is legitimate or fraudulent. You can't judge it by the tone of someone's voice, or how friendly or sincere the person seems. Good salespeople are convincing, and so are crooks. But it's probably a scam if:
- You get a call or postcard from someone telling you you've won a prize and asking for payment to buy something, for processing or administrative fees, for customs, for taxes, or any other reason. Legitimate sweepstakes or prize offers don't ask for payment because it's illegal.
- The person says you have to take the offer immediately or you'll miss the opportunity. Legitimate companies don't pressure people to act without time to look into the deal.
- The caller refuses to send you written information before you commit to anything. Legitimate companies are always glad to send information about what they're offering.
- The caller claims that you can make huge profits in an investment with no risk. All investments are risky and legitimate companies must tell consumers about the possible risks involved.
- The caller claims that you can make huge profits through a franchise or other business opportunity with little or no effort. All business ventures require knowledge and effort on the part of buyers, and no legitimate companies would guaranty profits.
- The caller is asking for a donation but won't tell you exactly how the money will be used and how you can verify the charity and what it does. Legitimate charities are willing to say what percentage of contributions is used for services and how much goes to overhead and fundraising. They are also willing to tell consumers who they can check with to confirm that they are legitimate.
- The caller insists that you send your payment by a private courier or wire money. Legitimate companies don't try to keep people from checking the deal out and changing their minds, or try to evade the postal authorities, by demanding immediate payment by courier or wire.
- The company asks for cash. Legitimate companies don't ask for cash, but con artists do because they often have trouble getting merchant approval from the credit card companies, and they also want to be hard to trace.
- The caller asks for your social security number. Legitimate companies don't ask for that unless you are applying for credit and they need to check your credit report.
- The caller asks for your credit card number, bank account number, or other financial information when you aren't buying anything or paying with those accounts. Legitimate companies only ask for financial information to bill you or debit your account for purchases you've agreed to make.
- The company calls you relentlessly or after you've asked not to be called anymore. Legitimate companies will take "no" for an answer and will take you off their calling lists if you ask. Con artists will keep on calling to wear you down or get more money from you.
- The company offers to get you a loan, or credit, or a credit card, or to "repair" your bad credit if you pay an up-front fee. Legitimate lenders and credit card issuers do not demand payment in advance, and no one can get bad information removed from a credit file if it is accurate.
- The company offers to get back money that you have lost to another fraudulent scheme if you pay an up-front fee. Law enforcement agencies don't ask for payment to try to help consumers get their money back, and it's illegal for a company to ask for advance payment for such services.
Remember, giving money to a fraudulent telemarketer usually means losing it forever.
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DARK CHOCOLATE IS HEALTHY CHOCOLATE
WebMD -- Got high blood pressurehigh blood pressure? Try a truffle. Worried about heart disease? Buy a bon-bon.
It's the best medical news in ages. Studies in two prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate -- but not white chocolate or milk chocolate -- is good for you.
Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure
Dark chocolate -- not white chocolate -- lowers high blood pressure, say Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany. Their report appears in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.
But that's no license to go on a chocolate binge. Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure -- if you've reached a certain age and have mild high blood pressure, say the researchers. But you have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.
Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate -- but not milk chocolate or dark chocolate eaten with milk -- is a potent antioxidant, report Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy's National Institute for Food and NutritionNutrition Research in Rome, and colleagues. Their report appears in the Aug. 28 issue of Nature. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments.
"Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate."
Translation: Say "Dark, please," when ordering at the chocolate counter. Don't even think of washing it down with milk. And if health is your excuse for eating chocolate, remember the word "moderate" as you nibble.
What is it about dark chocolate? The answer is plant phenols -- cocoa phenols, to be exact. These compounds are known to lower blood pressure.
Chocolates made in Europe are generally richer in cocoa phenols than those made in the U.S. So if you're going to try this at home, remember: Darker is better.
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EXERCISE YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH
Work out combined with healthy eating habits is the best way to control weight. Studies show that being overweight or obese is a leading cause of illnesses such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Being active helps control weight by using extra calories that would have been stored as fat. Also, people who are active tend to have more energy. Even just a little, regular exercise such as walking can have many health benefits that include:
Lower blood pressure
Higher HDL (good) blood cholesterol
Stronger heart muscle
Improved lung capacity
Improved blood flow
More positive with life
Lower blood sugar
Improved muscle strength
Improved sense of well-being
How Do I Get Started?
One of the biggest problems most of us face when beginning an exercise program is… getting started! Before you start any exercise program, talk with your doctor, especially if you have not been active for many years. If you are diabetic or have high blood pressure, be sure to see your doctor before you begin or change an exercise routine. Once you decide to begin an exercise program, start slowly. Begin by doing something you enjoy. Exercise does not have to be hard or boring to be good for you. Anything that gets you up and moving around on a regular basis is always a good start. You can do the following:
Take a short easy walk around the block
Park further away from stores when you shop and walk
Walk up stairs
Do some yard work
Put on some music and dance
Go swimming
Exercise with a friend
How Much Should I Exercise?
Decide the type of exercise you will do. Then, plan how much time and how often you will do it. Some health experts say that we should do 60 minutes of vigorous activity three to four times a week. Plus they say to do some strengthening and stretching activity twice a week. If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to begin by doing only ten minutes here and there during the day. Once you are in better shape, slowly increase your workout to 60 minutes a day. Remember start slow and an easy, then increase the time and strength. You will become healthier without hurting your body.
Some Exercise Tips:
Wait two hours after you eat before you work out.
Always warm-up before you start.
Cool-down after by doing some stretching.
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
Drink water before, during, and after a work out. This replaces the water lost as you sweat.
Avoid sweet drinks, coffee, tea and soft drinks before you exercise.
Avoid outdoor activity in bad weather.
Don't over exert yourself.
Check with a doctor right away if you have chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Any amount of exercise is better than none.
What Type of Exercise is Best?
You want to feel good about any activity you start to do. Find an activity that fits into your lifestyle. Any exercise you choose to do will improve your overall quality of life. Keep a record of your activities to check on your progress.
Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. Here are some other exercise ideas:
Bicycle
Use a treadmill or stationary bike
Ice skate
Roller skate
Row in place
Tennis
Brisk walk
Jog
Lift weights
Appreciate Yourself!
Regular exercise can help improve your self-image. It boosts your mood and gives you more self-confidence. Anything that gets you moving around for even a few minutes a day is a healthy start. The more you exercise, the easier it becomes, but you have to start somewhere. Remember:
Start slowly.
Set goals.
Do something you enjoy.
Fit exercise into your daily routine.
Keep track of your progress.
Don't give up.
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WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT TIPPING?
1. Two studies show little relationship between quality of waiter service and size of tip.
2. Hotel bellboys can double the size of their tips, on average, by showing guests how the TV and air conditioning work.
3. Tipping is less prevalent in countries where unease about inequality is especially strong.
4. The more a culture values status and prestige, the more likely that culture will use tipping to reward service.
5. Tips are higher in sunny weather.
6. Servers can increase their tips by giving their names to customers, squatting next to tables, touching their customers, and giving their customers after-dinner mints.
7. Drawing a smiley face on the check increases a waitress's tips by 18 percent but decreases a waiter's tips by 9 percent.
8. In one study, waitresses increased their tips by 17 percent by wearing flowers in their hair. In general it pays to look distinctive albeit not freaky.
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LOW-CARB DIETS, THE GOOD AND BAD
What diet, when followed, will result in weight loss? What diet is safe, healthy and can help you maintain your weight for many years after the diet? Americans are looking for ways to lose weight. They want it quick. They want the weight to stay off. There are many fad diets that will take the weight off. Sadly, most will not keep the weight off for long.
The popular diets now are the lowcarb diets. These diets limit the amount of carbohydrates to less than 30 grams a day. Protein and high fat foods take the place of carbohydrates in these diets. Most high protein/low carb diets have different “ phases” or steps to the diet plan. The first phase is usually the most difficult. That is because it severely restricts the types of foods you can eat, usually carbohydrate foods. In addition, the number of calories is also restricted to between 1200 and 1500 calories. Vitamins and mineral supplements have to be added to the diet to make up for those missing from the diet. They will also tell you “exercise is essential.”
There is a lot of debate over how safe these types of diets are. Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are nutrients that give our bodies energy in the form of glucose. Our bodies work better on glucose from carbohydrates. Thirty grams of carbohydrates is not enough. When we don’t get enough from them, our bodies will get the glucose by breaking down protein from the lean tissue in our bodies. The fats we eat need carbohydrates to be metabolized properly. Without carbohydrates, fats are converted into ketones. This results in a condition called ketosis. Ketosis can be dangerous to some people with certain medical conditions.
At minimum, we should be getting 130 grams of carbohydrates everyday. We get carbohydrates by eating foods such as bread and cereals, fruit, vegetables, and milk and three milk products. One slice of bread can give our bodies as much as 15 grams of carbohydrates. A serving of fruit or a cup of milk, can also give us about 15 grams. By limiting our intake to 30 grams, we are not getting the variety of foods we should be getting everyday.
The fact is, all low-calorie diets that include exercise will result in weight loss. It doesn’t matter how much protein, carbohydrate, or fat is in the diet. They tend to be hard to follow, and they are boring and hard to maintain over a lifetime. There is no “magic pill” or “magic diet.” The number of calories going in versus the number of calories going out determines weight loss or gain.
The best kind of diet is one that you can start and stay with for the rest of your life. It should be nutritionally adequate. It should contain a balance of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. It will allow you to eat any type of healthy food, as long as you do not over eat. It will provide almost all the nutrients you need for good health without adding vitamin or mineral supplements. It will require exercise or other types of physical activity. Replacing “bad” carbohydrates such as potato chips, cookies, cakes and pies with healthier ones is a better way to control weight and be healthy.
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WARM WEATHER BRINGS OUT "HOME-IMPROVEMENT" SCAMS
KINGSPORT - Connie Vicars was mowing her yard on a warm day last spring when a pickup truck pulled alongside the road and stopped.
The driver emerged from the truck, saying he had some paving material he could lay on top of Vicars' gravel drive at the back of the house.
Suspicious, Vicars told the man she wasn't interested. His truck didn't bear the name of any business, and she was concerned the offer was just a scam.
"He jumped in his truck and turned around in my yard and left. He was hitting people all along my street," said Vicars, who lives along Reservoir Road near Bays Mountain. "Everybody wants to trust people, but you just can't. Not in this day and time."
Vicars, whose husband, father and two brothers work in the construction field, suspected she was the target of a potential scam.
But many folks might not.
The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to beware of door-to-door home improvement scams - particularly during the spring months.
"Around this time you have to watch for your home remodelers, your travelers where you've got people that go door-to-door offering home repairs," said Jeanie Hoskins, with the Better Business Bureau of Greater East Tennessee.
She said a common scam at this time of year involves paving driveways. Typically, the con artist approaches potential victims at their homes, offering to pave a driveway with leftover asphalt from another job nearby.
"Then the first rain comes and everything goes down the drain," Hoskins said.
She said con artists particularly target seniors, initially telling them they'll charge a low price for the work, but then demanding a much higher fee instead.
"A lot of times they'll come back a little later and the price is three, four, five times higher than what they thought it was going to be," Hoskins said.
If the senior refuses to pay, the scammer threatens to put a lien on the property, Hoskins said.
"It scares them and they give them the money," she said.
Sometimes, the scammers do more damage than anything else. Tom Weinman, with Bracken Paving in Blountville, said his company has received calls from people who've fallen victim to the scam.
"Unfortunately in 9 times out of 10, we either have to take it (asphalt) all up, or we're able to put a cap over it which is another two inches," Weinman said.
And victims end up paying twice - once to the con artists and then to the legitimate company called in to undo what was done.
"Usually they're paying more than they would if they had called us or somebody else who is local and has been in business for a while, to do it right the first time," Weinman said.
Hoskins said there are ways folks can protect themselves.
Homeowners should make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured to conduct home improvement work in the state.
Also, homeowners should get all work agreements in writing, including price.
The contractor should have a physical location in the vicinity where the homeowner can go if there is a problem with the work.
The Better Business Bureau also advises consumers to get at least two or three bids from prospective contractors for home improvement projects. Never let someone intimidate you into making quick decisions.
And never pay up-front for a job. Wait until the project is completed to your satisfaction, and then pay with a check or credit card, not cash, the Better Business Bureau advises.
And if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. "A bargain is not a bargain if it washes down the drain," Hoskins said.
For more information about home improvement scams and other con artist games, visit the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org or call the Better Business Bureau of Greater East Tennessee at (865) 692-1600.
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BEWARE OF SUPER-HEATING IN A MICROWAVE
Superheating is a phenomenon that can cause serious burn injuries. Superheating usually occurs when using a microwave to heat a liquid, particularly water. In a microwave, it’s possible to heat water above the normal boiling point of 212 degrees Farenheit.
This can happen when you use a clean glass cup that doesn’t have any scratches to provide a place for bubbles (steam) to form. The water remains a liquid, instead of turning into steam and releasing some of the heat. When the cup is moved or something is added to the water, the bubbles form very rapidly, expelling the hot liquid like an explosion.
When heating water in a microwave, always let the cup remain in the microwave for 30 seconds before touching it.
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SALT: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
Americans eat too much salt. Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause heart disease and other health problems. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest reducing salt/sodium in your daily diet.
Table salt is made up of sodium and chloride. Salt and other sodium containing ingredients are often found in processed or packaged foods. Most of the sodium in our meals comes from processed foods.
Sodium is the part of salt that increases blood pressure. There is more sodium in salt than any other food that we eat. We eat salt because it makes food taste better. It enhances the flavor of almost everything we eat. Yet eating too much salt is dangerous.
The body needs sodium to hold water in the blood vessels. Sodium also regulates water balance in all parts of the body. If too much water is held in the body, the amount of blood increases. If it increases too much, problems will arise.
The increase in blood makes the heart work harder. The result can be high blood pressure. Other conditions, such as diabetes, can cause high blood pressure. The most common cause is eating too much salt/sodium. When high blood pressure is not controlled, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease.
How much sodium is too much?
Health experts recommend 1,100 - 3,300 mg of sodium per day for healthy adults. Most people eat 2,300 to 6,900 mg per day. This is too much sodium. Some people are salt/sodium sensitive. African Americans, Hispanics, and obese individuals are especially sensitive to salt.
Controlling the salt in your daily diet can reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure often. If it is high, see a doctor. High blood pressure is a reading of more than 140/85. If your blood pressure is normal, keep it that way. Exercising, eating less salt and fat, and keeping your weight down will help your blood pressure stay normal.
Salt/sodium can hide in many foods. One teaspoon of salt contains 2,000 mg of sodium. The following suggestions can help lower salt intakes:
Eat fewer salty snacks such as potato chips, nuts, cheese and pretzels.
Read the "Nutrition Facts" panel on food labels to see how much sodium you are eating.
Read the label. Look for the words, low-salt or reduced-sodium on products to replace those with high salt.
Use fresh or frozen vegetables instead of high sodium canned
Avoid pickled products like sauerkraut, deli meats, sausages and canned fish.
Use herbs and spices like garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and basil to flavor food and use less salt. Season meat with lemon juice, bay leaf, crushed red pepper and rosemary. Season chicken with sage, seasoned vinegar and ginger.
Limit the use of high-salt soy sauce, meat tenderizers, seasoned salt, and Worcestershire. Look for salt-free herb blends for cooking.
Many people have learned to reduce salt in their diets without missing the salty taste. You can too. Cut back on salt slowly, allowing time for your tastebuds to adjust. Replace the salty taste with another flavor.
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SUN BASICS FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS
When you are outside, protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays may turn your skin red (“sunburn”) or a darker brown. Shirts, hats, and sunscreen protect your skin from UV rays.
It is NEVER ok to burn as red as a LOBSTER!!
Sun Basics:
Slip! On a Shirt. Protect your skin with clothing.
Slop! On Sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Slap! On a Hat Wear a hat with a wide brim. Your ears, neck, and face get a lot of sun.
Look for shade in the middle of the day!
During the middle of the day the sun's rays are very strong. Take the shadow test: when your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun is high in the sky, and the ultraviolet rays are very strong. UV rays travel through clouds. Be sure to protect your skin even on cloudy or overcast days.
Cover up!
A snake can shed its skin. You can't. Protect your skin every day. Shirts, hats, and sunglasses keep you cool, and protect your skin and eyes from the sun.
Sun Basics Reminders:
Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses.
If you wear a baseball cap be sure to put sunscreen on your ears, neck, and face.
When you swim, sweat, or dry your skin with a towel, your sunscreen may come off. Be sure to put on more sunscreen.
Always Slip! Slop! Slap!®
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Study: Chinese Restaurant Food Unhealthy
CBNNews.com
March 22, 2007
CBNNews.com - A consumer group has found that typical Chinese restaurant food is not as healthy as we once thought.
It's loaded with excess sodium, saturated fat and lots of calories - yes, even the vegetables.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, which did a report released Tuesday, said that a plate of General Tso's chicken, a staple Chinese restaurant dish, is loaded with about 40 percent more sodium and more than half the calories that the average adult needs daily.
Battered fried chicken with vegetables came in at a whopping 1,300 calories, with 3,200 milligrams of sodium and 11 grams of saturated fat. Included in that total are the egg rolls, at 200 calories and 400 milligrams of sodium.
But that doesn't include the rice, at 200 calories per cup.
"I don't want to put all the blame on Chinese food," said Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director for the Center.
"Across the board, American restaurants need to cut back on calories and salt, and in the meantime, people should think of each meal as not one, but two -- and bring home half for tomorrow," Liebman advised.
The average adult needs around 2,000 calories a day and 2,300 milligrams of salt, which is about one teaspoon of salt, according to government guidelines. Women overall require fewer calories than men.
Sheila Weiss, director of nutrition policy at the National Restaurant Association, said that restaurants around the country were already trying to offer healthier menu options for their customers.
Chinese restaurants typically offer other choices for customers looking to steer clear of fried foods and heavy sauces, she said.
"Restaurants have a responsibility to provide options and they do," said Weiss, but "customers also have a responsibility to understand their own dietary needs and know how to make special requests."
CSPI's Liebman said, though, that overall, Italian and Mexican restaurants are worse for your health, because their food is higher in saturated fat, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
And although Chinese restaurant food may be bad for your waistline and blood pressure with its high sodium content - it does offer vegetable-rich dishes and the kind of fat that's not bad for the heart.
Just keep in mind that a plate of stir-fried greens has 900 calories and 2,200 milligrams of sodium. And eggplant in garlic sauce has 1,000 calories and 2,000 milligrams of sodium.
"We were shocked. We assumed the vegetables were all low in calories," Liebman said.
While the group says there is no safe harbor from sodium on the Chinese restaurant menu, it offers several tips for making a meal healthier:
- Look for dishes that feature vegetables rather than meat or noodles. Ask for extra broccoli, snow peas or other veggies.
- Avoid deep-fried meat, seafood or tofu. Order it stir-fried or braised.
- Hold the sauce, and eat with a fork or chopsticks to leave more sauce behind.
- Avoid extra salt by steering clear of, or going easy, on the duck sauce, hot mustard, hoisin sauce and soy sauce.
- Share your meal or take half home for later.
- Ask for brown rice instead of white rice.
And don't be discouraged if your local Chinese restaurant doesn't have brown rice. Continue to ask for it -- If they get enough requests, they will respond to the demand.