Do you remember when you were a kid and you thought to yourself how smart the adults around you were? Well one of the best game shows to come along in a long time is ‘Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader’, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy. This show is one that has something for everyone in the family no matter their age. Now that I’ve found the best cable tv deals I can watch it every day.

The way the game is played is that adults answer a series of questions, the catch to this is that you have a panel of fifth graders who are asked the same question and the contestant can choose to either agree or disagree with the student. What is so amusing is to learn exactly how advanced and intelligent these children truly are. It’s a little shocking sometimes to realize just how much of what we learned in grade school that we have forgotten in our adult lives.

Add to this the homespun humor and charm of Jeff Foxworthy with his jokes and quips coming from his rural, or as he puts it, ‘redneck’, outlook on the situation at hand. This show is one that every member of the family can appreciate and enjoy, no matter what the age. This is also a show that can be used as an opportunity to bring the whole family together for a family night of enjoyable television.

Most of the time, we do not notice how lucky we are. We may seem to have a lot of problems, mostly financially, but there are those who are more unfortunate that they are not able to enjoy the simple things we do. We may be complaining that there is not enough money for dessert or for a meal in a fine dining restaurant. We might also complain about the high cost of clothing or that we cannot afford the things that we want. But we are still fortunate enough to have a home and food on the table. We  always forget that there are those who cannot afford we can afford. When we look at those who are homeless and are on the streets, that’s the only time we realize that somehow we are still fortunate enough to enjoy the simple things in life.

Even though we are not rich, we are still able to contribute in helping others. Some help other people when they hear about tragedies that strike in some countries. Some continuously help others especially children by sponsoring. Sponsor a Child and help him or her with their needs. It may be a small amount, but it can go a long way. Even simple gifts like clothing or school books will help a lot. It does not only help them but it actually also helps us in some way. Not physically or not with a word of thanks but with the simple knowledge that we are able to help is something that cannot be described by words.

Not every diet pill work for everyone and not all diet programs appeal or work for everyone. When regular exercise is not enough for a person, they try different diet programs until they find the diets that work for them. A diet program may require less meat or less food intake while others would give alternative or replacement food to take. Different programs have been developed for different people. For those who like physical activity, there are programs that may work for them.

Many of us use a computer for a large part of our day. As the rising number of computer-related injuries and illnesses show, several factors may lead us straight from the workplace to the hospital. Among this are poor workplace design and layout, incorrect chair height, inadequate equipment placement, and damaging posture. Luckily for us, the applied science of ergonomics is developing side by side with many of our physical concerns.

Ergonomics is the study of design and arrangement of things people use, as in the workplace, to ensure an optimal relationship of efficiency, safety and comfort between work equipment and worker. Here are ergonomic factors to consider when setting up or adjusting workspace.

Your chair

The ideal swivel chair should have five feet. If used on carpet, it should be fitted with casters. On a smooth surface, it should have glides (flattened, smooth sliders fitted to the chair’s feet to protect the floor surface and allow easy movements.

Your monitor

The monitor should be roughly an arm’s length away from you. The top of the screen should be at eye level or just below so that you are able to look down slightly at your work.

Remember that eye muscles can become tired when you do nonstop close work. Rest your eyes every 10 minutes or so by looking away into the distance for at least 10 seconds at a time.

Your keyboard

When using the keyboard, your forearms should be close to horizontal and your wrists straight. Your hands should not be bent up, down or to either side in relation to your forearms. Your elbows should be close to your body. Align the keyboard with the monitor so you don’t have to twist or rotate to use it.

Your mouse

A mouse that fits the size of your hand is comfortable to work with. When you use the mouse, your wrist should be in natural and comfortable position, with minimal bend in any direction at the wrist. Your fingers should be able to rest on the push buttons between actions. It is good to position the mouse on the desk so that the weight of your arm is supported by the desk.

Posture, movement and stretching

Change your posture frequently to minimize fatigue. It’s a good idea to take short, frequent breaks from computer work while you carry out your other tasks for the day. This encourages physical movement and use of different muscle groups.

Whenever we study and learn, several things happen in our brain: new cells generate, new connections are created between cells, and existing connections between certain cells are strengthened or removed. Studies show that stimulating environment and the presence of beta-endorphin (the good mood hormone) lead to good cell growth in our brains. The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand says these factors affect brain health:

Regular physical exercise. This protects the brain and the way it processes information. Exercise boosts levels of brain-protective chemicals and reduces stress.

Adequate sleep. A good night’s sleep recharges the brain and allows the body to rest and heal. Our brain consolidates memories while we sleep. Inadequate sleep affects the way our brain cells function and can increase the risk of stroke and depression. About seven to nine hours of sleep a night is ideal.

Balanced diet. Your diet should be low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Studies show that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., fish) are good for the brain.

Social connections. Friendships and social networks are important as we age. Good mood hormones help us create new brain cells and keep them healthy.

Mental workout. Use it or lose it! Keeping the brain active and challenged increases its vitality, generates new brain cells, and bolsters connections and reserves.

Here are some plant food alternatives to animal protein. You can use them to devise a diet that will help you lose weight without compromising bone health.

Almonds. A cup of dry, roasted, unsalted almonds contains about 30 grams of protein and very low amounts of cholesterol and sodium.
Tofu. Tofu is rich in both protein and calcium. From three ounces of tofu, you get about 20 grams of protein and about 170 milligrams of calcium.

Oatmeal. A cup of oatmeal yields around six grams of protein. Oatmeal is also low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol and sodium. It is good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, and selenium, and a very good source of manganese.

Spinach. There may be more to Popeye and spinach than a cartoonist’s tale. A cup of boiled and drained spinach has about five grams of protein. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and a good source dietary and other important minerals and vitamins.

Green peas. A cup of boiled green peas contains about nine grams of protein. Green peas provide a number of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and a very low saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Your face may be baby-soft and creaseless, but your hands will always give your age away. The passing years show on an aging woman’s hands, however well-preserved the rest of her body may be. The wrinkles, enlarged veins, and prominent tendons on her hands tell the story of her years.

To prevent your hands from drying and wrinkling, it is necessary to improve blood circulation and hydrate them. Skin experts advise the following:

• Wash without soap. Regular use of soap and hand cleansers dries skin easily. Hand sanitizers and alcohol are better alternatives.

• Moisturize. Apply a moisturizing cream after washing. If your facial moisturizer contains retinoid and alpha hydroxyl acids, it will work as well for your hands. These ingredients will help build collagen and plump up skin for younger-looking hands. Other moisturizing ingredients are shea butter, olive oil, glycerin, and vitamin E. A product with sun protection factor of at least SPF 30 is also recommended.

• Massage. Aside from stimulating blood circulation, massage speeds up absorption of moisturizers and creams. Massage palms and the back of your hands using upward and downward strokes.

Varicose veins are often inherited. If your mother has them, there’s a good chance you will, too. Here are some tips you can do to keep them in check:

• Avoid standing still for long periods. If you have no choice, keep your calf muscles, rising up and down on your toes, and squeezing your feet together in your shoes.

• Avoid wearing knee-high nylons or socks daily. They can block the movement of blood up the leg.

• Wear support hose. These stockings apply a gentle, graduated pressure to the leg from the foot upward, which help decrease expansion of the vein wall.

• Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes every day.

• Exercise with care. A well-toned leg muscle will pump out more blood than a weak muscle as you walk or move. When you lift heavy weights, however, make sure you blow out. Increased abdominal pressure can block the flow of the heart, forcing your veins to expand to get around the block.

Hair care should not mean overspending at salons. It only takes basic hair-care routines to get a healthy mane. Here are a few steps to take care of your hair.

1. Regularly use the shampoo and conditioner recommended for your hair type ( permed, colored-treated, etc.) to offset the effects of sunlight and pollution.

2. Have your hair trimmed every five to six weeks to avoid split ends and save your current style.

3. Never use harsh nylon or metal combs or brushes if your hair strands are brittle.

4. Don’t brush wet hair. Use a wide-toothed comb to separate the tangles.

5. Don’t comb hair too much because this strips it of natural oils if your hair is dry. It over stimulates the oil glands if you have oily hair.

6. Don’t brush or comb your hair starting from the back. It will damage your hair.

7. Do regular exercises, especially head bends, to encourage blood circulation.

With floods, bad weather, and possible power cuts around the country, health issues associated with food in the home become crucial. Here are some tips to prevent food-borne illnesses during emergencies.

Food storage

• Eat perishables such as bread and meat first, which spoil faster.

• Eat canned foods last.

• Minimize food spoilage by opening the fridge only when needed.

• Get rid of vegetables or fruits that have been lying in floodwaters.

• Cover foods with plastic wrap or store them in waterproof containers.

• Throw out rotting or tainted food before it spoils other food.

Food safety

• Frozen food that retains ice crystals and has undamaged or unopened packaging can be safely refrozen.

• Defrosted foods can be used if they were only recently defrosted and were kept cold (i.e., if the fridge is working again).

• Dispose of any food that changed color, is slimy, or smells.

• Throw away damaged and punctured cans or tins with split seams.