NYC ban on large sugary drinks overturned
A ban on selling large sugary drinks in New York City was set to go into effect on Tuesday, March 12. However, the ban was overturned Monday by a judge. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city of New York have vowed to appeal the decision.
Large sugary drinks ban thwarted
The regulation would have prohibited the sale of sugary, non-diet beverages larger than 16 ounces in the kinds of venues that the city has jurisdiction over. The ban would have given retailers a 90-day grace period for compliance. After that, they would have risked a $200 fine per each inspection if they [...]
Tips and tricks to help you start exercising now
I have something I feel I must get out of the way before continuing: I’m fat. Like many people, I find excuses to keep from engaging in a regular exercise program. So while I won’t claim to be an authority from experience on the matter, I can say that I plan to utilize many of the following techniques to help myself. These are some of the best tips today to start exercising, find continued inspiration to exercise and lose weight.
Start exercising tip No. 1 – Apps
Yes, when it comes time to start exercising, there’s an app for that. Health and [...]
Tips for saving money on vet bills
![Spc. Jerome Jackson, patient administrator for the 51st Medical Detachment (Veterinary Medicine), registers a military working dog at the veterinary clinic at Balad Airfield, Iraq. [Photo courtesy of the 51st Medical Detachment (Veterinary Medicine)]](http://personalmoneynetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/saving_money_on_vet_bills-287x215.jpg)
Pet care can be expensive. Once basic upkeep and maintenance are taken into account, there are still those times when a veterinarian is required. For anyone who has experienced the horror of vet bills, remember that taking some preventative steps can soften the blow next time. Here are some common-sense tips for saving money on vet bills.
Saving money on vet bills – Preventative pet care at home
Just like with human beings, pets need regular care and maintenance. Proper exercise, nutrition, hydration, cleanliness and more all contribute to long-term health. Literally, the right balance can extend a pet’s lifespan.
“Preventative care is [...]
Food activists want FDA to limit sugars in drinks
A Washington-based nutrition activist group has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require beverage bottlers to limit the amount of high fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners in their products.
FDA urged to regulates sweeteners
The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed the petition on Wednesday, February 13. It was signed by health advocates and scientists across the nation.
Contributing to obesity epidemic
The consumption of sugary soda and other drinks by Americans has risen sharply over the last 50 years, according to the Boston Globe. Now, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest, that is linked with an [...]
How much will healthcare costs set back your retirement?
The rising cost of healthcare is a concern for us all. But it is an especially immediate concern for retirees, who worry about getting by in the coming years at an age when health issues are increasingly common. A recent report, estimating those costs for the average retired couple, should cause many to take stock.
Healthcare costs largest challenge for retirees
The report by Fidelity Investments found that, as of 2012, a 65-year-old retired couple should sock away at least $240,000, earmarked for future healthcare costs. That is up by 4 percent from 2011′s $230,000 estimate.
The Fidelity Retiree Health Care Costs Estimate [...]
Hands-off dinners anyone can make
Quick meals don’t automatically have to mean fast food. With a few fast, nutritious meal prep tips, you can prepare hands-off dinners that satisfy your time and nutrition needs.
Hands-off dinners tip No. 1 – You’ve got the (cook) time
Think that preparing nutritious meals takes a lot of time to cook? Then you’ll be surprised to learn that a roast or stew can cook in less time than your average 30-minute meal. Do the research online and you’ll find plenty of options.
Hands-off dinners tip No. 2 – Steal time for food prep
It is always worth your while to steal spare moments [...]
Patient tips for dealing effectively with Medicare
If you’re insured by both Medicare and another health insurance plan, what happens when you need coverage? The inevitable question of which plan is supposed to pay arises, and if you aren’t careful, you can get yourself into big financial trouble. Here are some basic tips for dealing effectively with Medicare, designed with cost savings in mind.
Dealing with Medicare tip No. 1 – Determine the primary
For the majority of patients, who the primary is will largely depend upon whether or not you’re still employed. If you are, employee coverage is primary and Medicare is secondary. Most people who need health [...]
Breaking the ice – How to talk to a woman in any situation
Is there a hidden secret to breaking the ice in the dating sphere? If you have self-confidence and a good sense of what constitutes sexual harassment, not really. So before you plunk down money for that dating self-help book, here’s how to talk to a woman without seeming like a creepy stalker with a Selena Gomez shrine in your parents’ basement. Make the obvious small adjustments yourself, depending upon your sexual preference.
How to talk to a woman – On the street
It all begins with paying attention to whether or not she wants to engage in conversation with you in the [...]
Silica gel packs keep food fresh AND won’t necessarily kill you
If you’ve ever bought a pair of new shoes, you’ve seen the little packets of silica gel. They’re the small white paper packets covered with “Do Not Eat” warning messages, filled with silicon dioxide globules that work as a desiccant, preventing moisture damage. But did you know they work well in the kitchen? Here’s how to keep food fresh with silica gel – and why the “Do Not Eat” warning may be overstated.
Using silica gel to keep food fresh
Prematurely spoiled food is a pain in the wallet. Stashing some silica gel packs in the spice drawer, or in containers of [...]
Women’s health tip: Be cautious regarding dose for sleeping pills
Sleeping pills can have unexpected, even dangerous effects, particularly for women. This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently reduced the dosage of the popular sleep aid Intermezzo, down from the 3.5 milligram dosage previously approved for men to 1.75 milligrams for women. It seems like a simple thing, but when it comes to sleeping pills, this and other cases suggest that female consumers should proceed with caution.
Sleeping pills and women’s health
The majority of sleeping pills on the market are designed to work for a standard eight hour stretch. In exploring whether or not short-acting sleeping pills are [...]
Marvelous ways to use mint for maximum savings
Peppermint is one of those herbs with many uses around the house. Instead of investing in various products, here are various money-saving ways to use the mint you already have. Some of these ideas may surprise you.
Ways to use mint No. 1 – Repelling rats
Planting a bed of mint in your garden deters both rats and household mice from venturing into the area.
Ways to use mint No. 2 – Relieving cramps
Considering that mint has natural digestive properties that help relax tract muscles, it makes sense to use it if you’re experiencing cramps. Mix some into a liquid drink like hot [...]
How to break your digital addiction
We live in an age of digital dependency. From televisions and computers to smartphones and tablets, we’re in front of a video screen for most of our waking lives. Child psychology Dr. Bruce Perry has implied that the “digital nanny” epidemic has been one of the major causes of the drop in children’s collective attention span. It doesn’t have to be that way, however, and adults must set the right example. Here are some tips for breaking your digital addiction.
Breaking the digital addiction – Admitting the problem
Having a digital dependency is quite common. Many people spend hours online for work [...]
Cancer death rate on decline, report says
Medical science, in which we all have invested as a nation and as taxpayers, is seeing the fruit of its labors as the cancer death rate continues to decline in the United States. Others, however, dispute the conclusions of a new report.
Cancer death rate declining for two decades
The “Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer” from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and other groups has been released. It found a slight decline in the death rates for most types of cancer, a trend that has been continuing since the early 1990s. However, the number [...]
How to get up early and make the best of it
Being an early riser has its benefits, but it can be difficult to pull off if you haven’t conditioned yourself and made it habitual. U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin knew the value of “Early to bed, early to rise,” as the healthy, wealthy, wise individual tends to feel less stress, is perceived as being more reliable and is generally happier. Here are some tips for how to get up early, and more on why you should do so.
How to get up early tip No. 1 – Do it incrementally
If you’ve hard-wired your mind to rise late in the day, it [...]
Five tips for finding an affordable flu shot
Multiple reports indicate that flu season is off to a roaring start, which makes getting a flu shot a high priority for many people. Considering that it takes two weeks for influenza vaccine to start working, you should act now. But what if you don’t have insurance and the $40 immunization cost is too high for your budget? Here are some tips for finding an affordable flu shot in your neighborhood.
Finding an affordable flu shot option No. 1 – Public and federally qualified health centers
Search for a flue shot via your state’s department of public health website for immunization data [...]
Electronic HAPIfork helps you lose weight by slowing down
Americans spend billions every year on weight loss programs, books and gadgets. Here is yet another, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. The HAPIfork may be the most costly piece of silverware you will ever buy. But if it helps to curb tendencies to overeat in some, it may be worth its weight in gold.
HAPIforks measures how fast you are eating
The HAPIfork, made by Hong Kong-based HAPILABS, works on the principle that many people eat too quickly, meaning that they have overeaten by the time they realize they are full. The instrument was originally developed [...]
The best houseplants for indoor air quality
For baseline quality of life, being able to breath is essential. Rather than spending lots of money on electronic devices that filter out airborne pollutants in your home, did you know that certain houseplants contribute a great deal to indoor air quality? Here are some relatively inexpensive ideas for those of you with a green thumb. Mix and match leafy and flowering plants and you’ll find yourself breathing more easily in no time, with a beautiful home to boot.
Houseplants for indoor air quality No. 1 – Snake plant
The Snake plant, aka Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, consists of several smooth, snake-like tendrils that [...]
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