Seniors Brief Blog

Culture

Jennifer McCafferyDec 27

You may not want to use these words in polite company until you know what they mean.

Aholehole

Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com, Shutterstock

This is a Hawaiian word for a small silvery fish found in tropical waters.

Assapanick

Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com, Shutterstock

Colonial leader Captain John Smith used this word in his journal in 1606. Native American tribes in Virginia used the term to describe a flying squirrel.

Original Source -> 18 Foreign Words That Sound Rude in English

Starbucks

via starbucks.com

“Although the Spinach, Feta & Cage Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap is a breakfast item, I can find it any time of day and it’s frequently available at airport locations,” says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, author of Smart Meal Prep for Beginners. “The wrap is made with cage-free egg whites, spinach, tomatoes, and feta cheese in a whole-wheat tortilla, providing me with four food groups.” Amidor is also a fan of the Sous Vide Egg Bites Egg White & Red Pepper. “When I’m craving a snack, I turn to these egg bites made with egg whites and red peppers instead of the carb- and calorie-loaded snacks you can find at Starbucks,” she says. “For 170 calories, they provide 13 grams of protein to keep me satisfied.” Don’t forget to sign up for Starbucks Rewards for deals and a free birthday item.

Quiznos

via quiznos.com

If you’re visiting Quiznos, chances are you’re in the mood for a sandwich. So order the Apple Harvest Sammie, a favorite of Megan Casper, MS, RDN, a dietitian in New York City. “It has apples, dried cranberries, and tomatoes, making it one of the more veggie- and fruit-filled options,” she says. “This option is lower in sodium than many of the other sandwiches. Swap in whole-grain flatbread to increase your fiber.” If you’re feeling extra hungry, order a cup of chili. “Beans are filled with both protein and fiber to tide you over,” says Casper. Be on the lookout for the $5.00 sub of the day.

In-N-Out Burger

via in-n-out.com

“My go-to order at In-N-Out is a cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce, and grilled onion—and no spread,” says Stacey Mattinson, MS, RDN, a dietitian in Austin, Texas. “This order cuts calories without skimping on flavor. Another popular healthier order if you follow a low-carb meal pattern is the hamburger with tomato, onion, and spread, Protein Style.” This means your burger will be wrapped in lettuce, versus a bun. Request ketchup or mustard instead of spread to save calories. And ask for extra veggies! “My No. 1 tip when ordering here is to double or even triple up on the vegetables,” says Robin Plotkin, RDN, a culinary nutritionist in Dallas, Texas. “Adding extra lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions to your order can result in an additional serving of vegetables for the day—as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.”

Original Source -> The Healthiest Things to Eat at 25 Fast Food Restaurants

Advice

Jennifer McCafferyDec 27

From basic to high-tech, these tools will help keep you safe on the road.

Multi-device charger

via amazon.com

The best-selling Maxboot charger can be used to juice up your phone, iPad, camera, and other electronic devices while you’re in the car. It features two USB ports and is designed to protect against overcharging and overheating. Most importantly, with a charged phone, you’ll be able to call for help in case of an emergency.

Buy now

Car jump starter

via amazon.com

It’s no fun when you’re in the middle of nowhere on a cold day and try to turn your car on, only to discover that your battery’s dead. Suaoki to the rescue! This portable device enables you to jump-start your car without the hassle of jumper cables. It also features a USB port so you can charge your phone. And in a pinch, it can also act as a flashlight. Don’t miss these driving etiquette rules you might have forgotten since Driver’s Ed.

Buy now

Tire traction mats

via amazon.com

Stuck in the snow? You’ll be glad that you have one of these tire traction mats in the car. Much more convenient than chains, both sides of these mats feature cleat-like spikes that grip both your tire and the snow to give you traction. And once you’re out of the snow, they fold up for easy storage.

Buy now

Original Source -> 17 Items You Should Always Keep in Your Car

Andrea KarrDec 27

And it wasn’t a pretty sight.

MilanMarkovic78/Shutterstock

The bumps were red and itchy, speckled across both shins, and I noticed them one summer day while pulling on shorts to take my dogs for a walk. Though I don’t typically find ingrown hairs on my legs, I’m prone to them around my bikini line and these bumps looked similar. Plus, each bump contained a hair follicle, so my self-diagnosis of ingrowns—version legs-point-oh—seemed obvious. I set about plucking the hairs and exfoliating with a sugar scrub and tried not to think too much about the spots, even though I wanted to wear flirty dresses and skirts and they were totally ruining my effortless-summer-goddess vibe.

After a couple of weeks, my legs didn’t look any better. In fact, the ingrowns seemed to be spreading. I was a little skeptical (ingrown hairs aren’t contagious, are they?), but the fact that bumps only existed around the hair follicles made me pretty sure that I had correctly assessed my situation. Plus, I wanted to avoid a trip to the doctor if at all possible. (I’m there a lot thanks to a few chronic health conditions and worry that my GP thinks I’m a hypochondriac.) By this point, I had received a few questions about the “bites” all over my legs. Read up on these other germ spreading habits that you should give up now.

Then one morning I woke up and a cluster of the bumps had developed whiteheads and were surrounded by a hot, red patch of skin that was tender to the touch. The pain seemed to be radiating into my knee and I had the sudden fear that I had an infection in my blood and was going to lose my leg. I hurried to a walk-in clinic and the doctor took one look at my legs and told me I had folliculitis.

“Are you sure they’re not just ingrowns?” I asked.

“You have an infection,” he responded. Don’t miss these 10 things doctors secretly wish they could tell you.

He prescribed oral and topical antibiotics and sent me on my way, but the experience made me rethink my lifestyle because a) the bumps ruined my summer outfits for weeks, b) no one likes an infection and c) I’m hella worried about antibiotic resistance.

As soon as I got home, I googled folliculitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles that looks like small clusters of red bumps or white-headed pimples. They can cause an itchy, burning sensation, tender skin or even a large swollen bump or mass. If your symptoms last for more than a few days, you may require antibiotics. Check, check, all the checks.

But how did it happen to me? It turns out that folliculitis is typically caused by poor shaving habits, a yeast infection, exposure to a hot tub or pool without proper chlorine and pH regulation or—and here’s the one that caught my attention—regularly wearing clothes that trap heat and sweat, especially anything tight. Bingo. Just a few months before, I had started working out consistently and found myself sweating more than I ever had in my whole life. And because I wanted to remove any barriers to getting my lazy ass to the gym, I often wore my gym clothes after my workout and found myself sitting around in sweaty leggings while writing at coffee shops or running errands. Yes, it’s gross, but it’s what I did.

Well, not anymore. Now, I bring a change of clothes to the gym because I refuse to get folliculitis again. Because gross. Because no one wants itchy, bumpy legs that make people ask if you’ve been bitten by a hoard of swarming flies. Next, learn about the fitness myths that can seriously damage your health.

Original Source -> My Sweaty Workout Leggings Gave Me a Skin Infection

Jacqueline WeissDec 27

In 2018, anything is possible, including eating healthy at your favorite fast food chain. Leading the way as one of the healthiest fast food restaurants is Taco Bell.

James R. Martin/Shutterstock

While you might not normally equate fast food with wholesome eating, there are actually options you can get from the drive-through that are on the healthier side. With menu items like the Crunchwrap Supreme and $1 Nacho Fries (we tried ’em), it may come as a surprise that Taco Bell offers up some of the healthiest options on the fast food scene. Dig a little deeper into their menu and you’ll find that there are some better-for-you options if you don’t have time to make a homemade meal. (Have time on your hands? Try these fiesta-worthy recipes for tacos, fajitas, and more.)

Over the past several years, Taco Bell has positioned themselves as one of the best fast food chains for healthy food, making strides to offer customizable options across their menu for their health-conscience customers.

According to the nutrition page on their website, these are some of the quality improvements they’ve made over the past few years to their menu:

Reduced sodium across the menu by 15 percent since 2008, with a push to have a total 25 percent reduction soon

Removed artificial flavors and colors and replaced them with natural alternatives

Source 100 percent cage-free eggs for our breakfast menu. Will introduce 100 percent cage-free egg ingredients into our core menu in 2018.

Serve chicken raised without antibiotics important to human medicine in U.S. restaurants

While these options and improvements are great, and definitely a step toward healthier eating, it’s largely up to the customer to customize smart choices, like ordering vegetarian or vegan options, or calorie-cutting with their ‘Fresco’ option to remove cheese, rice, sour cream, and add in pico de gallo. Check out these healthy options at all of your favorite fast food restaurants.

“We just really encourage people to customize to however it fits their lifestyle,” Missy Schaaphok, Taco Bell’s in-house nutritionist and dietitian told Business Insider.

Live Más! Want to make your favorites at home? Try these fast food copycat recipes.

Original Source -> Taco Bell Is Officially One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains

Travel

Alexa EricksonDec 27

Whether it’s good health, a prosperous career or to be lucky in love, these fountains, statues, temples, and traditions may be your golden ticket to your biggest wishes granted.

Blarney Stone, Cork, Ireland

Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock

They don’t call it the luck of the Irish for nothing! Legend has it that that kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle in Cork, Ireland will bring you “the gift of the gab.” Sir Winston Churchill and Mick Jagger have both reportedly made their luck at this very site. To kiss the “Stone of Eloquence,” visitors must lean backward (holding onto an iron railing) from the parapet walk. In need of some luck? Eat these lucky foods on New Year’s.

Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Singapore

PtrT/Shutterstock

Listed by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the largest fountain in the world, the Fountain of Wealth is located in one of Singapore’s largest shopping malls, Suntec City. The fountain is said to be overflowing with qi (positive energy), which visitors can absorb by touching the water. The fountain is turned off periodically throughout the year, giving visitors the chance to walk around the smaller fountain and collect coins, which are believed to possess charm and good luck.

Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb, Springfield, Illinois

Curtis Heideman/Shutterstock

The final resting place of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln’s tomb is decorated with statues, but none quite as iconic as the large bronze bust in front of the memorial. A whopping 200,000 people visit the tomb each year, many rubbing Abe’s nose. Some believe that rubbing the nose of any statue brings good luck, and with the nose of a person successful enough to become the president within arm’s each, it makes sense people take advantage. Steal these secrets from people who seem naturally prone to good fortune.

Original Source -> The Luckiest Places in the World to Visit

Alexa EricksonDec 27

It comes down to one ingredient!

digitalreflections/Shutterstock

The first time I used a Magic Eraser, I simply couldn’t stop. Truth be told, I caught on a bit late. In fact, it wasn’t until a few months ago that a house guest, after listening to me complain about the scratches on my wall, introduced me to the gift that is this magical white sponge.

Dampened with water, I went through an entire 12-pack of Magic Erasers, scrubbing the red coat rack paint from my stark white entryway wall and the coffee mug rings on my white kitchen table (that I thought were there to stay). I scrubbed every surface until no mark was left untouched. The magic of this eraser had won me over. And it remains an important part of my cleaning toolkit. Magic Erasers can be, well, magic…but before you go crazy, check out these 10 things you should never do with a Magic Eraser.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered on several occasions, as you’ve scrubbed crayon mark off the wall, about the magic behind this eraser. It comes down to one powerful ingredient.

The main ingredient in the Magic Eraser is melamine foam, which is made of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. This foam is an effective sponge-like material. The combination of hard and soft structures within the “sponge” is what makes the magic. Melamine foam is harder than what makes up most stains, but it’s softer than most of the surfaces those stains are on. This allows the Magic Eraser to remove stains without scratching the surface underneath or around the stain.

Ever notice how a Magic Eraser sort of disintegrates as you scrub? Its sponge-like cell structure is delicate enough that it wears off on the durable layer under the stain. In other words, the scrubbing of the sponge loosens the dirt, while its open-cell structure soaks up and grabs the grime. Want to get your house sparkling clean in less time? Check out these speed-cleaning tips and top products that will save you hours of cleaning each week.

And in case you’re still skeptical, read this review on the Mr. Clean website:

“Mr. Clean Magic Eraser stinks. My son drew on a recently painted wall with a Sharpie (the brand name, not a cheap knockoff), small drawing, but a drawing nonetheless. I figured the best way to have him learn his lesson was to go up there, scrub for a long time, then I’ll go finish it up (he’s only 6). Nope. I handed him the Magic Eraser and told him to go upstairs and clean the wall. Literally two minutes later he comes down, ‘I’m all done Daddy.’ I walk up to check, nothing. Thanks to Mr. Clean and his ‘magic eraser’ I now have to figure out another way to teach my kids not to draw on walls.”

Next, here are 16 genius cleaning hacks you’ll want to steal from professional house cleaners.

Original Source -> This Is What Makes the Magic Eraser So Magical

The building is in a state of disrepair

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Cute restaurants with character and charm are one thing, but decrepit buildings are another. “While most everyone has a story about ‘a little hole in the wall’ where they had a great meal, that’s the exception and not the rule,” Guinn says. “You can tell much by considering the general state of disrepair of the restaurant itself. Stained ceiling tiles, unswept or unvacuumed floors, dead or dying plants, torn wallpaper, or paint chipped and stained, and especially unkempt restrooms don’t bode well for the upcoming meal.” Here’s why you shouldn’t use the pepper shakers at restaurants.

The restaurant is empty

Brian Goodman/Shutterstock

Early birds may be accustomed to dining alone, but if you walk into a restaurant at peak meal hours and you’re almost alone, the absence of others may be sending a message. “The number one thing to look for when choosing a restaurant is customers,” says Kenny Colvin, who runs a food and drink branding, design, and consulting agency. “Are there other customers dining there? If no one is eating in a restaurant, there’s a reason for it. It could be overpriced, it could be bad customer service or bad food, but if the seats are empty, consider it a red flag.”

The menus are a mess

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If the restaurant’s appearance isn’t a warning, the first thing you hold in your hand can wave a red flag. “It may seem counterintuitive, but I can often predict the upcoming experience based on the menus I’m offered,” Guinn says. “If the restaurant delivers torn, worn, or dirty menus, that tells you the waitstaff isn’t adequately trained, or that the manager doesn’t pay attention to his or her restaurant environment.”

Menus with bread crumbs, food stains, and spilled sauces signal they’re not cleaned regularly. If the staff isn’t paying attention to this detail, they may be missing even bigger things. “It’s a sure sign that attention to detail is lacking. A manager who ignores the front of the house often has difficulty in the administration of both the front and back of the house,” Guinn says.

Original Source -> 14 Red Flags Warning You’re About to Eat at a Bad Restaurant

Advice

Sunny Sea GoldDec 26

Rejection hurts. Sometimes so badly it feels like your bruised ego may never recover. But here’s the thing: Rejection is normal, and it happens to all of us. Here’s how grounded, successful people deal with rejection gracefully—and you can too.

They recognize rejection for what it is

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“Rejection can be sneaky. For example, sometimes we disagree with a partner, friend or family member and we might think what’s upsetting us is that the situation is ‘unfair,’ but what we’re actually upset about is that the person is rejecting us or a part of us,” says Sara Stanizai, a licensed psychotherapist and the owner of Prospect Therapy. “Rejection can cause you to question a part of yourself, which is uncomfortable. The feeling underneath rejection is frequently shame. If you are feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or you feel like you ‘don’t want people to know’ about the situation, maybe it’s because you are feeling rejected.” Learn how to bounce back stronger from failure.

They accept that it happened

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Good or bad, rejection happens. “If you take the resistance out of wishing there was another outcome you can see the opportunity from the experience,” says Megan Fleming, PhD, a psychotherapist in New York City. “It’s important to acknowledge emotions, ‘name it to tame it.’” Allowing ourselves to notice and name our experiences helps us to deal with the rejection, process the emotions, and let them go, rather than getting stuck in them. Find out what successful people do every weekend.

They reframe it

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Whether you’ve been turned down by a potential boss or lover, it’s painful to want someone’s approval and not get it. But have you considered whether you actually approved of or wanted them? “Instead of telling yourself someone didn’t like you or that you’re not good enough, reframe it as a signal that you both weren’t a good match for each other,” writes John Kim, LMFT, psychotherapist. “Instead of seeing the ‘no’ as rejection, see it as you dodging a bullet.”

Whether a relationship is business or personal, it requires investment—and a lopsided relationship in which you are the one doing most of the wanting, work, and investment isn’t worth it. Fleming agrees, “A ‘no’ may feel bad and ultimately be the best thing for us.”

Original Source -> 10 Ways Grounded People Handle Rejection

Conditions

Krista CarothersDec 26

Our scientific knowledge is continually evolving—don’t forget that 80 years ago, doctors recommended cigarettes. Here’s the latest information on controversial health topics.

Coffee

GCapture/Shutterstock

Something this good must be bad for you—or so everyone thought. Experts have blamed coffee for stunted growth, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and more. But over the past decade, coffee’s reputation has done a complete turnaround: An analysis of studies published in BMJ last year concludes that people who drink three to four cups per day have lower mortality rates from all causes than those who drink no coffee; regular java drinking seems to lower the risk of some cancers along with liver and heart disease. The light isn’t completely green on coffee though: It can be harmful to developing fetuses (so pregnant women should use caution), and it may contribute to osteoporosis. Check out these 8 myths about coffee.

Salt

fortton/Shutterstock

In the 1970s, a scientist fed an amount of sodium to rats that would be equivalent to about 500 grams in humans (most people in the United States eat an average of 3.4 grams per day), reports Scientific American. The rats’ blood pressure went up, and the medical community raised the alarm about salt. Americans never really embraced the message—federal guidelines recommend that we only eat 2.3 grams of sodium, or about a teaspoon of salt, per day, but restaurant meals and processed foods contain such large amounts of sodium that few people meet that limit.

Perhaps the concern is misplaced: A 2016 study in the Lancet suggests that the limits are overly stringent. Among subjects consuming high amounts of sodium, only those with high blood pressure experienced higher rates of cardiovascular problems. Surprisingly, people who consumed the lowest amounts of sodium—whether or not their blood pressure was high—also experienced more cardiovascular events and deaths. Government recommendations haven’t changed, but many researchers don’t consider them settled, according to NPR’s health care blog, Shots.

Fat

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Butter, lard, coconut oil—the fear of saturated fats has fallen since heart experts realized that the trans fats in margarine were actually deadly. But that doesn’t mean saturated fat is off the hook: The New York Times reports that in spite of trendy diet advice (and wishful thinking), saturated fat can still contribute to heart attacks. People who replace saturated fat with olive or canola oil significantly cut their risk of cardiovascular disease. Read these 10 myths about fat.

Original Source -> The 11 Biggest Health Controversies of All Time

Home

Nick GerhardtDec 26

You might be focused on that big number — the mortgage payment — while you’re looking for a house but don’t forget about all the other costs associated with buying a house. They can pile up and overwhelm you if you aren’t aware of them. Here are some things to know about fees you might face as you buy a house.

Appraisal Fee

Alex Staroseltsev/Shutterstock

An appraisal fee will run around $300 to $500 and will show up on a loan estimate or good faith estimate. Most of the time, the appraisal fee is paid out-of-pocket but it can sometimes be rolled into closing. Check out these tips to successfully purchasing your first home.

Survey Fee

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The survey fee takes care of verifying the property lines and making sure fences are in the right spot. However, it isn’t required in every state.

Flood Determination Assessment

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A flood determination assessment is something that comes up and is usually around $10 to $20, but it’s used by lenders to find out if a property is in a flood zone. Lenders have to get a flood determination assessment to determine if the home has the proper amount of insurance. Here are 22 secrets your real estate agent isn’t telling you.

Original Source -> 13 Things You Can Expect to Pay for Before Buying a House

Don’t let dirt and debris accumulate

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It’s easy to let dirt, leaves, and other debris accumulate on your deck, especially if there’s a tree nearby. But debris not only looks unsightly, but it can also harbor insects and hold excess moisture—neither of which is good for your deck. You’ll love this deck cleaning hack!

Don’t paint the deck

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Paint requires primer and is likely to chip or bubble at some point down the road. Stain is a lower maintenance choice and there are color-tint stains available if you’re looking for options. Learn how to restore a deck the right way.

Original Source -> 12 Things You Should Never Do to Your Deck

Culture

Lisa Marie ConklinDec 26

You already know the library is full of books to borrow but did you know you could score free passes for the museum, record a song in a studio, or borrow a chocolate fountain—all for free?

The best card in your wallet

Matthew Cohen/rd.com

If you haven’t had a library card since your school days, you’ve been missing out. “Once someone walks into a library, they will find a myriad of resources that will motivate them to obtain a library card,” says Loida Garcia-Febo, president, American Library Association. These days you can borrow everything from a Wi-Fit hotspot to fishing poles, learn a new skill, or take the kids to the museum—all free of charge. Each library offers their specific services, based on what the library patrons request and the community at large. “Libraries take time to get to know the communities they serve by meeting with local civic, health, and religious organizations in their area,” says Garcia-Febo.

Record a demo

MSPT/Shutterstock

Why just read about musicians when you can play like one? Individuals can borrow an instrument from a collection of musical instruments at the Sand Creek Library in Colorado, Garcia-Febo tells Reader’s Digest. Keyboards, acoustic guitars, and, yes, even a drum set are available to borrow. Better yet, you can also record a song at the library’s recording studio, potentially creating your first demo, adds Garcia-Febo. The library offers a fully-staffed working audio studio where budding or veteran musicians can schedule a one-hour session up to eight hours per month. You’ll never believe the crazy excuses for these overdue library books.

Tools

Jim Barber/Shutterstock

Got a plugged up toilet or do your hedges need trimming? You don’t have to call the plumber or head to the hardware store if you are a resident or property owner in Berkeley, California because the Berkeley Public Library has an extensive tool lending library. Some of the most borrowed tools include weed eaters, extension cords, hedge trimmers, demolition hammers, and electric snakes. Sawdust in the tool manual is common but librarians never expected to see these bizarre things in returned books

Original Source -> 13 Free Things You Didn’t Know You Could Get with Your Library Card

Culture

Molly Pennington, PhDDec 26

Use these memory tips and tricks to help you conquer those hard-to-spell words!

Mnemonic

Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com

Let’s start with a toughie. Mnemonic devices are memory aids that help you remember anything—but they’re often used for spelling. You’ve probably heard the adage “i before e except after c”. You can use familiar mnemonics, but teacher Irena Dewey suggests that you also create your own personal ones because they’re anchored to your own memory. So, what’s a good way to remember the strange spelling of a mnemonic with its silent “m” at the beginning? Merriam-Webster recommends you keep in mind that even though its “pronunciation begins with an ‘n’ sound, the spelling begins with an ‘m,’ as in memory.” M for memory! Don’t forget! Check out these 14 words that are hard to pronounce.

Necessary

Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com

Necessary is a tough one that often appears with two “c’s,” like “neccessary.” Folks aren’t sure which consonant gets a double letter so you may see “neccessarry” appear, too. English doctoral student, Stephanie Allen offers using the mnemonic “one collar and two socks,” to remember a single “c” followed by two “s’s.” The logic goes that the collar is at the top of your body and the socks, second, at the bottom. Or you could use something like “one coffee, two sugars”—the necessary items to start your morning off right!

Dessert

Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com

Dessert gets complicated because you might confuse it with “desert.” One is traditionally the final course of a meal—but feel free to eat it first! The other is known for sweltering heat and cacti. Don’t forget the verb form of “desert”—to abandon a post. To make it easy, use a mnemonic like “so sweet,” to remember the double “s” in dessert. Here are 19 palindromes—words that are spelled the same backward and forward.

Original Source -> 17 Memory Tricks for the Most Commonly Misspelled Words

“Don’t answer the salary question”

Alex Staroseltsev/Shutterstock

Getting them to talk first is essential, says Suz O’Donnell, executive coach and president of Thrivatize, a workplace solutions company. “Instead of answering, ask them ‘what is the range for the job?’” she says. Why? If the range for the job is $70,000 to $80,000, and you answer $65,000, then they’re going to give you $65,000. On the other hand, if you are expecting more than what their range is, you can deal with that in the negotiations phase, after you’ve received an offer. Don’t miss this proven tip for owning your salary negotiation.

“Don’t be caught without questions of your own”

Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

You know you’re going to be asked if you have any questions, says Elaine Thompson, the New Hire Advisor at Amigo Energy, an electric utility seller in Texas. So come prepared with questions and don’t be shy about asking them—your failure to do so could cost you the job. “If a candidate doesn’t have questions for me by the end of the interview, then I think it’s safe to assume they either aren’t actually interested in the job, or everything I just said to them went in one ear and out the other.” When it comes to formulating those questions, Thompson’s interview tip is that they should be thoughtful, purposeful, and helpful. “If they ask random generic questions just to fill the question hole, then I assume they weren’t really listening during the interview. And that’s a deal breaker.” These are the questions you should always ask on a job interview.

“Everything is potentially part of the interview”

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From the moment you arrive at your interview until the moment you leave, you’re “on,” says John Paul Engel, who partners with Fortune 500 companies to hire executives. “In college, I had an interview with a car company,” he recounts. “When I arrived, I went into the bathroom. As I stood before the urinal a man in a suit started to carry on a conversation with me. I was so taken back that I couldn’t go. I could barely even speak. So I just stood there awkwardly until he left. When I walked into the interview room, guess who was my interviewer?”

Why, that guy, of course. Engel crushed the interview, he’s certain, but in the end, he didn’t get the job. “I’ve always wondered if I was because of what happened in the bathroom. Like, the interviewer was thinking, ‘I need our guys to handle any situation, and this guy couldn’t even urinate.”

Original Source -> 14 Job Interview Tips from Fortune 500 CEOs and Top Hiring Execs

Everyday Wellness

Ashley LewisDec 26

Your seemingly harmless work habits may be sending your health into “old age” mode quicker than you realize!

Sitting at a desk all day

Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock

A recent study found that a sedentary lifestyle may literally age you. Scientists looked at the telomeres—the ends of the tightly coiled DNA found in every cell—of nearly 1,500 older, post-menopausal women. As our cells divide and age, they lose bits of their telomeres meaning that older cells have shorter telomeres. Each woman wore an accelerometer for one week to measure her physical activity because the researchers wanted to see if exercise affected the cell aging process. Among the inactive women (participants who didn’t get the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise), those who spent about ten hours or more sitting had shorter telomeres than the women who sat for less time each day. The amount of telomere shortening added about eight more years to the cell’s age of the inactive women who sat for more time than their inactive peers who didn’t sit nearly as long. More research is needed to show how much sitting is safe and how much exercise is needed to curb the potential aging effects of sitting. Make sure you know the 15 signs that your body is aging faster than you are.

Working long hours

Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock

People who work more than 50 hours a week put themselves at risk for a host of diseases and health conditions. According to a 2012 review paper, observational studies suggested that adults who worked more than 50 hours a week increased their heart disease risk by 40 percent. While another study, that followed people’s employment history for 32 years, found that women upped their risks for heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and non-skin cancer when they clocked in 60 or more hours of work per week. Late nights at the office can also cause sleep deprivation, which inhibits your brain power from poor memory to concentration loss. “The only two behaviors that seem to enhance the process of clearing out the cellular debris and proteins that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia from the brain is physical activity, to a certain extent, but primarily sleep,” Azizi Seixas, an assistant professor at NYU Langone Health told CNN. These are the other habits you never knew were aging your brain.

Slouching in your office chair

Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

If you don’t want to feel like an achy 80-year-old, start by fixing your posture. “Poor posture can have many negative effects on your health,” Kenton Fibel, MD, a family medicine physician at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in California told U.S. News. “Having poor posture can put more stress on certain muscles and joints, forcing them to be overworked and causing them to fatigue. Many patients with chronic pain can be helped by addressing their poor posture.” Poor posture while sitting all day can also prevent your body from getting the adequate blood circulation it needs to function, which may lead to the early appearance of varicose veins—the gnarled, enlarged veins commonly seen just under the skin of older adults. Here are 22 more habits that are making you age quicker. 

Original Source -> 7 Ways Your Job May Be Making You Age Faster

Travel

Ana ConneryDec 26

Love fresh powder? Sugar-white sand beaches? Whether you’re looking to ski down the side of a mountain or surf waves in the sunshine, you’ll find it in this season’s crop of best winter travel destinations.

Best for: Surfing daredevils, nature, and culture hounds

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If you’ve ever wanted to visit Oahu, winter is the time to do it, especially during February, which ushers in some of the biggest waves of the year. Diehards flock to the famous North Shore to catch giant swells that can reach up to 30 feet. If you prefer action of the dry variety, lounge on the shore, watch the pros, and take advantage of the amazing photo opps begging to fill your Instagram feed. Another Oahu winter must-do is a whale watching tour. February is peak time for humpback whale migration, so chances are high you’ll catch a glimpse of these majestic beasts. Other bucket list items include hiking the Diamond Head crater; visiting the world’s largest open-air shopping mall, the Ala Moana Center; and joining a helicopter tour for a bird’s-eye view of the island’s famous hot spots, including Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in America. Find on the 50 best beaches in the world.

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Best for: Families and water babies

via tripadvisor.com

The unveiling of the newly reimagined Coral towers at the Atlantis resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas, coupled with new next-door neighbor Marina Village, an open-air shopping and dining marketplace, are just two of the newest reasons to visit this Caribbean hot spot. The new Fish restaurant by chef-of-the-moment José Andrés at the Cove, a separate, luxurious resort-within-a-resort concept, is yet another. Don’t forget about Aquaventure, the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, the ten-plus pools, and the four miles of sugar-white sand beaches. With average winter temps between the mid-60s to high 70s, it’s the perfect place to escape the cold. Book now

Best for: Winter sports lovers

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Known as “Ski City” because of its status as the gateway to “the Greatest Snow On Earth” at four of the U.S.A’s best ski resorts—Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude—Salt Lake City welcomes winter sports lovers like no place else. In addition to incredible skiing and snowboarding trails, Utah Olympic Park offers an unforgettable winter bobsled experience that will have you feeling like an Olympian in training. Multiple resorts within minutes of each other accommodate everyone from families to couples seeking a romantic getaway, not to mention those who simply want to ski their face off. For the latter, the super flexy Ski City Super Pass is good at all four Ski City resorts, features no blackout dates, and provides deep discounts on lift tickets. Opt for the direct-to-lift Super Pass to bypass lines and earn free transportation. Find out 9 towns that are magical when it snows.

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Original Source -> The Best Winter Travel Destinations for 2019