Staying Safe Over the Holidays

by Gramps, on Fri Dec 10, 2010 3:05pm PST

The holidays are a time for families and friends to come together. But they also mark a time when parents and pet owners should be extra careful. For as fun as this time of the year can be, there are many ways in which children and pets can injure themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosts a stellar article that explains how to be prevent disasters, both small and large. The SPCA of Texas has a similar blog for furry friends. Below, some of the highlights for having a fun and safe holiday season.

The Tree
For those using an artificial Christmas tree, be sure to look for trees that are labeled "fire resistant." Even then, always keep it a safe distance from the fireplace. If you're using a live tree, the AAP suggests you check for freshness. The less fresh a tree is, the dryer it is. And the dryer it gets, the easier it will become a fire hazard.

Keep the tree stand full of water, but also make sure the tree stand is covered for the safety of your pets.According to the SPCA, tree water can be "infested with fertilizer, bacteria, and other harmful elements." You definitely don't want your pets drinking it. You'll also want to make sure cats don't climb the tree, tip it over, and possibly hurt themselves or others. Delicate and breakable ornaments should be placed higher on the tree so curious pets don't knock them down and possibly hurt themselves

Refreshments
One word: Eggnog. When the nog comes out, you gotta be careful. Kids left unattended can scoop it up and slurp it down. In fact, according to hospitals, incidents of alcohol poisoning in children rise during the holidays--in part due to more parties and half-empty drinks being left out. Same deal with dogs and cats -- alcoholic beverages are not good for pets. As for food, the SPCA writes that macadamia nuts and chocolate, both holiday favorites, can be especially dangerous for dogs, so try to keep those out of reach.

Decorations
Everyone likes Christmas lights, but hanging them from your house can be very dangerous. There's not really a sure-fire safe way to do it. The best you can do is use a steady ladder, and be safe. Hometips.com lists some helpful things to remember. Measure the length of the lights before you climb the ladder. Don't use nails to secure the lights (use plastic clips instead). And, if possible, secure the lights to the eaves of the house.

The Fireplace
It can be tempting to just throw all the used wrapping paper into the fire once the gifts are open. Don't. The AAP writes that "a flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely." The fumes can also cause sickness in people as well as pets.

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Canada's young workers

Canada's young workers: the group the economic recovery left behind

By Julian Beltrame, The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – Thu, 9 Dec 11:05 PM EST

OTTAWA - Canada's falling unemployment rate is hiding an unpleasant truth — tens of thousands are leaving the labour market in frustration, and none more so than young workers.

Last week's labour force survey for November presented a distorted hall-of-mirrors picture of employment — with the jobless rate falling to a two year low of 7.6 per cent on the strength of little job creation.

For young workers in the 15 to 24-year-old category, the picture was even more distorted — the unemployment rate plummeted from 15 per cent to 13.6 per cent with virtually no new jobs added.

The mathematical disconnect comes about because Statistics Canada does not measure the number of workers against those who want jobs, but against those who are actively looking for work. There have been fewer of those.

Young people are leaving the labour force in droves. According to the agency, the youth participation rate is the lowest in over a decade.

What's more, while the economy has created over 440,000 jobs since the recession there are 228,000 fewer young people employed.

"A lot of young people are throwing in the towel, saying forget it," said Brian Bethune, chief Canadian economist with IHS Global Insight.

"There's an inter-generational imbalance happening. You have a big bulge of baby boomers who have gotten into established positions entitled to three and four weeks vacation and young people can't find jobs."

Canadian Auto Workers economist Jim Stanford says there is another "perversity" in the challenge facing youth. As governments toy with the idea of raising the retirement age, young people can't break into the market at all because older workers are tying up jobs.

Ironically, Canadians 55 and over have done the best since the recession and are the only age group that has seen the participation rate rise in the past year.

Statistics Canada can not say for certain why more young people have been leaving the workforce, although analyst Lahouaria Yssaad notes that since the numbers are not as stark in the over 20-24 age sub-category, many in the youngest cohort may have gone back to school.

What is obvious, however, is that young people were disproportionately left behind during the recession, and one year removed from the official start of the recovery, they are still having a difficult time re-connecting with the economy.

Nancy Schaefer, president of Youth Employment Services in Toronto, calls it a "crisis" in youth unemployment, and is calling on governments to offer incentives for employers to hire young workers.

YES, which has units across the country, sees the wide range of youth, from those who have never had a job to those who were laid off during the downturn; from those with little education, to graduates. Many struggle, she says, but particularly those with less than a college or university education.

Young workers like 20-year-old Chantelle of Newfoundland, who left her job as a restaurant manager in August and moved toToronto because she had been told it was a city of opportunity.

It was a decision she wishes she could take back because five months later, she has run out of money and has had to move into a homeless shelter.

"I'll take anything, but there's nothing out there," she says, asking her full name be withheld. "People say they'll call back, but they never do. I'm not going to stop looking, though, because I want to get out of here."

Single mother Huda Eldardiry, 23, went through retraining because she was unable to keep working nights as a shoe saleswoman, but has been unable to find work since October. She is not given up, however, so technically she is not yet a frustrated worker.

Unless she gets lucky, though, the data suggest the odds of her finding a job quickly are slim. Schaefer says she's seen university grads take up to a year to find a job, and in many cases they've had to settle for part-time or work outside their area of expertise.

The repercussions for the individual lives in terms of anxiety and living conditions can be severe, but there is also a societal cost to long-term unemployment, she says.

"I hate to say this, but they might find alternative means of employment — working under-the-table or doing illegal activities and that's not good for anybody."

Human Resources Minister Diane Finley's office says the government has programs to help young workers, including for training and tax incentives to employers to hire apprentices. It is unclear whether the next budget will contain any specific measures for youth, although Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has signalled there will be no significant new spending.

What's happening to youth is an indication that the government's boasts about a recovering economy are hollow, responded Scott Brison, the Liberal finance critic. He said it is clear some segments of the population are still suffering through a recession.

Analysts consider youth unemployment a the litmus test of labour market strength overall, and by that measure, Canada has still a long way to go before employment stages a comeback.

The trouble with trumpeting that all jobs lost during the recession have been recouped, as the government does, is that it doesn't take into account that Canada's population has grown by about almost one million since, and those people need jobs too, says Stanford. As well, many of the added jobs are part-time, or lower-paying service jobs.

Stanford's analysis of labour trends since the recession shows that if the lower participation among youth and also core workers, those in the 25-54 age category, is taken into account, the jobless rate would be 9.1 per cent, 1.5 percentage points higher than the official rate.

And the number of unemployed would rise to 1.71 million — about 600,000 more than before the recession..

Stanford says there are risks that if the situation persists, cyclical unemployment caused by a recession could become a permanent state of affairs for some workers.

"Sometimes long-term unemployment becomes structural unemployment," he explained. "Economists call it hysteresis where individuals get used to not working, they lose their contacts, their skills become less sharp and that makes it all the harder to get back to work when conditions improve."

The best winter fruit

What’s Fresh: The best winter fruit for your buck

It's slim pickings in the fresh fruit aisle at this time of year. It appears to be well stocked—you can find berries and melons just like you did in the summer. ...…

It's slim pickings in the fresh fruit aisle at this time of year. It appears to be well stocked—you can find berries and melons just like you did in the summer. But now that it's winter, I find summer-season fruits to be a sad and lifeless representation of what they were during the warmer months. Even if I have a hankering for my warm-weather favorites, I'd rather spend my money on fruit that actually tastes good now.

Below are my 5 favorite winter fruits, which are all good on their own as snacks and are delightful in desserts and savory recipes too. Here's how to choose the best fruit, why it's good for you and how to save money buying it at the grocery store.

Oranges

How to buy: In general, look for plump oranges that are free of blemishes or bruises. As the season wears on, you may find different varieties of oranges popping up, such as Cara Cara and blood oranges. Try them! Both of these varieties are very sweet and have a darker flesh, ranging from pink in the Cara Cara to dark red in the blood orange.

Why it's good: Oranges are loaded with vitamin C (a large orange has more than the daily recommended value of vitamin C), which may help smooth your skin. If you bite into a blood orange, you'll also be getting anthocyanins, a compound that turns the flesh red and is associated with helping to keep the heart healthy and the brain sharp.

How to save: Buy them in bulk (they may be cheaper in a bag than when sold individually) and store them in the refrigerator to extend their life by a couple of weeks. If you stumble across a few fruits with a grainy texture, use them for juicing!

Bananas

How to buy: Though there are hundreds of varieties of bananas, the Cavendish is the variety most familiar to North Americans.  Bananas are in season year-round and are different from other fruits because they can be picked while they are still far from ripe.  If you do buy green bananas, wait until the skin ripens to a yellow and the starches convert to sugars. 

Why it's good: Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, which is associated with healthy blood pressure.  Also, a medium banana is an excellent source of cell-building vitamin B6 and is a good source of vitamin C and fiber. 

How to save: Though bananas are relatively economical—ripening bananas cost about 90¢ per pound—overripe bananas are often on sale for less. Even if banana peels have started to brown, the insides often remain sweet and ripe. Buy a bunch or two and peel the extras before sticking them in the freezer.  They will keep for several months and are excellent in banana bread and smoothies.

Pineapple

How to buy: Avoid green pineapples—they are not ripe. A ripe pineapple should smell like a pineapple. There should be a golden color present—starting at the base—and the more yellow a pineapple is, the better it will taste throughout. Some people claim that pulling leaves easily from the top of a pineapple is an indication of ripeness, but this has not been proven. Your best bet is to go with color.

Why it's good: Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C, delivers a healthy dose of fiber and is an excellent source of manganese, a nutrient involved in bone formation.

How to save: Cutting into a pineapple for the first time can be downright scary. But where your wallet is concerned, it may be worth learning how to do. Prepared pineapple chucks in the produce section cost more per pound—about 50 cents an ounce more—than a whole pineapple.

Pomegranates

How to buy: Color is not a good indicator of a ripe pomegranate. Instead, choose a fruit that feels heavy in your hand.

Why it's good: Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants, natural compounds found in plants that help protect the body from harmful free radicals (compounds in the body that damage tissues and may contribute to a variety of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer). Although you don't get as many antioxidants eating the seeds as drinking the juice, you will get a bit of fiber and abundant punicic acid, a polyunsaturated heart-healthy oil.

How to save: Pomegranates aren't the cheapest fruit in the produce bin (about $2.50 each), but the good news is that one fruit goes a long way. Your best bet is to compare prices at competing stores, and buy the cheapest you can find.

Grapefruit

How to buy: Like oranges, select fruits that are free of blemishes and bruises. Buying grapefruit can be tricky—the skin color of the fruit is not always a reliable way to tell if the fruit is sweet inside. If the fruit is heavy in your hand, that may be a good indication of its juiciness.

Why it's good: Like oranges, grapefruits are high in vitamin C and are a good source of fiber. Studies have shown that the soluble fiber in grapefruit may even be beneficial in lowering cholesterol. Half a medium grapefruit has only 60 calories.

How to save: If you regularly buy organic, you may make an exception for grapefruit. According to the Environmental Working Group (a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization) it is a fruit that is less likely to be contaminated with pesticides.

What is your favorite winter fruit, and how do you use it?

By Hilary Meyer

EatingWell assistant editor Hilary Meyer spends much of her time in the EatingWell Test Kitchen, testing and developing healthy recipes. She is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute.

Think you are hungry

A staggering 63 percent of Americans are overweight. The most common cause? We eat more food than we need—and we're all guilty of doing it: mindlessly munching on a bag of pretzels during a reality TV marathon or treating ourselves to a second helping when the first was plenty. But boredom and indulgence aside, why else are we reaching for a snack when we should feel full? Some of it can be blamed on habit, while other triggers have more to do with our body's hunger signals. Check out the list below to find out the most common overeating pitfalls and simple solutions for avoiding these traps.

1. You didn't get enough sleep last night.
Lack of rest stimulates two faux hunger triggers: energy deficiency, to which our natural reaction is to nourish our bodies, and appetite hormone confusion. "When our bodies are drained, levels of leptin—a hormone produced by our fat cells that controls our appetite—decrease, while levels of gherlin—a hormone produced by our stomach that stimulates our appetite—increase," explains American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Karen Ansel, RD. That's two hormones working against you. "Getting eight hours of sleep a night is the easiest thing you can do to prevent overeating." If you do fall short on zzz's, be sure to load up on nourishing, naturally energizing foods—such as fresh fruit, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins—throughout the day to help your body feel satisfied.

2. You're taking medication that causes hunger as a side effect.
If you felt ravenous the last time you were taking an antibiotic to tame an allergic reaction, joint inflammation, acne or a bad cold, the medicine may be to blame. "Medication that contains mild steroids, like prednisone, a corticosteroid, ramp up hunger big time," says Milton Stokes, RD, owner of One Source Nutrition, LLC. "If you've already eaten a normal-size meal, ignore the drug-inflated hunger," says Stokes. Instead, try an oral fix like chewing gum, sipping warm coffee or brushing your teeth, he suggests. If you're on long-term steroid therapy, consult a dietitian to devise an eating plan that will help you feel more satisfied throughout the treatment.

3. You're thirsty or dehydrated.
The symptoms of dehydration (sleepiness, low energy) closely mimic those of being overly hungry, which may lead you to think you need food to increase your energy level, explains Sandon. When you're thirsty, your mouth becomes dry, a symptom that eating will temporarily relieve, notes Sandon. She suggests drinking a tall glass of water or cup of herbal tea before eating and waiting for your body's hunger signals to adjust (about 10 minutes). "Doing so could save hundreds of calories."

4. It's "mealtime."
As creatures of habit, we tend to eat on autopilot. While some regularity is encouraged so that you don't become overly hungry, which could lead to bingeing, it's also important to listen to hunger signals, says Ansel. "Next time you sit down to eat, ask yourself: 'Am I really hungry?' If the answer is 'no,' either eat a smaller portion or put off the meal for an hour—though no longer than that," suggests Ansel. This also applies to situations you associate with eating, like flying. "We've been conditioned to associate an airplane ride with eating," Ansel says. The solution: "Pay attention to timing," recommends Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, assistant professor of nutrition at University of Texas Southwestern. "Know how long the flight is and plan satisfying meals around it." Also, take advantage of the free (hydrating) beverages, she adds, as the enclosed space leads to hunger-causing dehydration.

5. You just worked out.
We are conditioned to feed ourselves after exercising. And, after a particularly strenuous exercise session like a spinning class or interval-training workout, we tend to feel ravenous. But that doesn't mean your body needs extra calories. "It means your body needs a specific kind of nourishment," says Marissa Lippert, RD, a nutrition consultant and dietitian in New York City. Opt for roasted chicken or other lean meats (protein will replenish your muscles) and brown rice or other whole grains (complex carbohydrates take a while to break down) to help your body recover faster and fend off hunger longer.

6. Not enough time has passed since you finished your meal.
You've just eaten lunch only to wonder: "Why am I still hungry?" Before you assume you didn't eat enough, consider that maybe you ate too quickly. "Appetite hormones need time to tell your brain you're full," explains Sandon. To prevent post-meal hunger pangs, keep these pointers in mind: Eat slowly, putting down your fork between bites; choose flavorful and satisfying foods; and include a combination of fat, protein and carbohydrates in every meal. If you're still hungry, try sucking on a mint to ward off your cravings.

7. The women around you are eating.
A joint study out of Duke University and Arizona State University found that women tend to mirror other women's eating habits. "When one overdoes it, the rest often follow along," Ansel confirms. To avoid this copycat effect, Lippert suggests taking a quick minute to reassess your own eating habits—or, if all else fails, grabbing a pal and evacuating the scene of the food. A more permanent fix? Be the one who sets a healthy example for your girlfriends to follow. Their waistlines will thank you! "Just as obesity is contagious, so are healthy habits," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of The Flexitarian Diet.

8. You smell or see food.
"We tend to eat with our senses more than our stomachs," says Ansel. When we smell or see food—even if it's in a photo, advertisement or TV show—our mouths water, which stimulates our appetite. Onset factors can include smelling a batch of cupcakes baking, seeing snack food laid out on the counter or watching a cooking show. The clear-cut solution: "Out of sight, out of mind." Leave the room, hide the candy jar, turn off the TV—and the craving to eat will likely subside, says Ansel.

9. You're stressed out.
"Studies show that when people recognize they're stressed, they are more likely to turn to high-fat, salty or sugary foods," says Sandon. "These foods both are comforting and feel good in the mouth," she adds. But it's not all about emotional eating. Sandon notes that your body's chemical reaction to stress could also cause hunger pangs. "Increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and insulin may be associated with triggering appetite." Either way, appetite control boils down to decision-making. Before reaching for the ice cream tub, try quickly clearing your mind.

50 Best Careers of 2011

  50 Best Careers of 2011

 

Alexis Grant, On Monday December 6, 2010, 12:04 am EST

It pays to be smart when choosing your career, particularly now that the job market is (slowly) improving. With the recession officially over, anyone who's out of work or eager to change jobs is on the lookout for opportunities. But where, exactly, are the jobs? Which occupations offer decent salaries, quality of life--and are likely to stick around for the next decade?
Our list of 50 Best Careers answers those questions. We've highlighted dozens of high-opportunity professions--careers you may want to consider as you decide where to look for your next paycheck. Based on job-growth projections, salary data, and other factors like job satisfaction, these occupations span a variety of industries, so you can find the right position for you no matter what your interests.
What's new on the list this year? Several of our picks reflect the recent uptick in the economy, while others are long-time contenders that finally muscled their way onto the roster. With an aging baby boomer generation, healthcare continues to make a strong showing. All of the healthcare jobs on last year's list have made the cut again this year, plus two new positions: massage therapist and athletic trainer. While the field of athletic training doesn't offer the sheer number of positions as nursing or dental hygiene, it outranks nearly all other healthcare occupations for expected job growth.
[See Tips for Landing Jobs on Our List.]
Technology positions also account for a good chunk of our top-choice careers. Computer support specialist joins the ranks this year with upward trending employment numbers. Education administrator, which ranked particularly high for job satisfaction, made it onto our lineup of social service jobs. In the business category, we added sales manager, an occupation that's making a comeback along with the economy.
On our creative and service jobs list, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technician is new this year, largely because of its high expected job growth. Interpreter/translator, an occupation that's increasingly in demand as a result of globalization, also made the cut.
To come up with this year's list, U.S. News considered job-growth projections from the Labor Department, estimates for 2008 to 2018, the most recent data available. We narrowed it down to occupations that are expected to add jobs at an above-average rate over the next decade, as well as those that provide an above-average median income. Sales manager makes the highest median annual salary on our list, nearly $97,000. Computer software engineer, physician assistant, meteorologist and education administrator all bring in median average salaries in the mid-$80,000 range.
We also considered, where possible, data on job satisfaction, turnover, and impending retirements, which crank up openings in jobs that may have only slightly above-average employment growth. We talked with labor and industry experts as well, gathering anecdotal evidence about employment prospects and job satisfaction. We excluded careers that lack a statistically significant number of positions and therefore provide opportunity for only a small number of workers. When necessary, we favored jobs that would help diversify our list in terms of category and educational requirements, since not everyone wants to work in healthcare or go to school for six years.
[See 10 Smart Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search.]
Most of the jobs that were cut from the list this year showed a higher-than-average unemployment rate or shrinking employment numbers during the last few quarters. From the creative and service jobs category, funeral director, plumber, security system installer, and landscape architect got the boot. In business, we cut market research analyst, loan officer, and cost estimator.
Of course, no one job is best for everyone, and everyone has their own ideas about what makes a job great. "You have to like what you're doing or you're not going to be successful at it," says Emily Bennington, who helps college graduates transition into careers through her company, Professional Studio 365. At the same time, "if you're not getting paid to do it, you're not going to love it for very long."
Qualities that make a job desirable also change with the times and circumstances. Tom Smith, director of the General Social Survey, conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, expects his next set of job-satisfaction data to show that workers value stability more than they did before the recession. "Occupations that have greater job stability perhaps have improved in the public's evaluation," he says.
[For more career advice, visit U.S. News Careers, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.]
Even as hiring picks up, the odds can seem daunting to job seekers. In a struggling economy with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate, competition is stiff even for some jobs that made our list. For every job opening in September, there were about five unemployed people, according to the Labor Department. While that's an improvement from 6.2 people for every job opening in November 2009, the most recent peak, "it's still a very tough job market," says Steve Hipple, an economist at the Labor Department. During the three years before the recession, the rate averaged 1.7 unemployed people for every job opening.
Others like John Challenger, CEO of outplacement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas, are more optimistic. "The whole environment has changed," says Challenger, who talks daily with companies that are hiring, as well as job seekers. "(It's) certainly not gang-busters by any means ... but it feels like springtime compared to last year's winter in the job market."
Whether you're out of work or your job has simply fallen out of favor, you'll likely find an occupation on our list that suits you. For each profession, we've offered a summary of what you can expect on the job, as well as advice from hiring managers and people who work in that industry about how to land one.
Here's our list of the 50 Best Careers of 2011--click each job to learn more:
Business Jobs:
--Accountant
--Actuary
--Financial adviser
--Financial analyst
--Logistician
--Meeting planner
--Public relations specialist
--Sales manager
--Training specialist
Creative and Service Jobs:
--Commercial pilot
--Curator
--Film and video editor
--Gaming manager
--Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technician
--Interpreter/Translator
--Multimedia artist
--Technical writer
Healthcare Jobs:
--Athletic trainer
--Dental hygienist
--Lab technician
--Massage therapist
--Occupational therapist
--Optometrist
--Physician assistant
--Physical therapist
--Physical therapist assistant
--Radiologic technologist
--Registered nurse
--School psychologist
--Veterinarian
Social Service Jobs:
--Clergy
--Court reporter
--Education administrator
--Emergency management specialist
--Firefighter
--Marriage and family therapist
--Mediator
--Medical and public health social worker
--Special-education teacher
--Urban planner
Technology Jobs:
--Biomedical engineer
--Civil engineer
--Computer software engineer
--Computer support specialist
--Computer systems analyst
--Environmental engineering technician
--Environmental science technician
--Hydrologist
--Meteorologist
--Network architect

Source : Yahoo

The Truth About Milk

By David Zinczenko
Dec 03, 2010

Milk: Healthy and nutritious drink, or fattening, contaminant-filled menace?

You might expect an organization called the Dairy Education Board to promote milk as a good thing. But instead, this advocacy group claims that “Milk is a deadly poison.” Oops. And as Americans have grown more wary of saturated fat, and more concerned about hormones and other substances fed to—and injected into—dairy cows, milk consumption has fallen dramatically. In the post-war days of 1945, the average American was consuming 45 gallons of milk a year. By 2001, per capita consumption was down to just 23 gallons.

But here’s the thing: Plenty of new research says that we should be drinking more milk, not less. In fact, swapping soda, juice, sweetened iced teas, and other beverages for milk might be one major reason why Americans are gaining weight at such a rapid pace. Milk not only helps boost protein intake and cut down on sugar, but consuming calcium through dairy foods such as milk may actually reduce the fat absorption from other foods. Who wouldn’t want that? (Hungry for more hard-hitting nutrition facts and findings every day? Follow me on Twitter or subscribe to our daily Eat This, Not That! newsletter.)

Here are four milk myths you might have heard, and why you should consider answering the cowbell more often.

Claim #1: “Milk is a fat-burning food.”

The Truth: Maybe. In a 6-month study, University of Tennessee researchers found that overweight people who downed three servings a day of calcium-rich dairy lost more belly fat than those who followed a similar diet minus two or more of the dairy servings. In addition, the researchers discovered that calcium supplements didn’t work as well as milk. Why? They believe that while calcium may increase the rate at which your body burns fat, other active compounds in dairy (such as milk proteins) provide an additional fat-burning effect. 

Bonus tip: For more surefire ways to eat healthier and slim down, check out our list of the 25 Best Nutrition Secrets!

Claim #2: “Drinking milk builds muscle.”

The Truth: Absolutely. In fact, milk is one of the best muscle foods on the planet. Milk is full of high-quality protein: about 80 percent casein and 20 percent whey. Whey is known as a “fast protein” because it’s quickly broken down into amino acids and absorbed into the bloodstream—perfect for post-workout consumption. Casein, on the other hand, is digested more slowly—ideal for providing your body with a steady supply of smaller amounts of protein for a longer period of time, such as between meals or while you sleep.

Bonus Tip: Remember the old saying "Milk: not just for breakfast anymore." Well, here are 20 foods that shouldn't be for breakfast, period. Check out our shocking list of the Worst Breakfasts in America!

Claim #3: “Cows are given antibiotics. Doesn’t that make their milk unhealthy?”

The Truth: No one really knows. Some scientists argue that milk from cows given antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance in humans, making these types of drugs less effective when you take them for an infection. But this has never been proven.

It is true that hormones and antibiotics have never been part of a cow’s natural diet, and they have been shown to have adverse effects on the animals. Canadian researchers, for example, discovered that cows given hormones are more likely to contract an udder infection called mastitis. If you’re uneasy, you can purchase antibiotic-free (and typically hormone-free, as well) milk from producers like Horizon and Organic Valley at most major supermarkets. The cows will certainly thank you.

Bonus tip: While you're at the supermarket, add these foods to your list: the 125 best supermarket foods. Remember: You don't have to sacrifice flavor to eat healthier.

Claim #4: “Fat-free milk is much healthier than whole.”

The Truth: Nope. While you’ve probably always been told to drink reduced-fat milk, the majority of scientific studies show that drinking whole milk actually improves cholesterol levels—just not as much as drinking fat-free does. One recent exception: Danish researchers found that men who consumed a diet rich in whole milk experienced a slight increase in LDL cholesterol (six points). However, it’s worth noting that these men drank six 8-ounce glasses a day, an unusually high amount. Even so, their triglycerides—another marker of heart-disease risk—decreased by 22 percent. The bottom line: Drinking two to three glasses of milk a day, whether it’s fat-free, 2%, or whole, lowers the likelihood of both heart attack and stroke—a finding confirmed by British scientists.

 

Don’t confuse saving with investing

 

Andrew Pyle, On Friday December 3, 2010, 11:54 am EST

Following on last week's discussion about things we should be doing at year-end, another key thing we need to keep in mind is how much we're going to spend this holiday season.  I would hazard that the word "save" does not even enter into the vocabulary when the calendar counts down to Christmas; however, there is no reason to think any less about saving today than any other time of the year.  The obvious reason is that failure to pay attention to how much we dole out on gifts and entertainment this month could put us in the more severe position of paying off debt come the New Year.  But, aside from the difficulty Canadians have with saving in December, many still find it hard to differentiate saving from investing.
The survey says…
In a recent Scotiabank survey (conducted by Harris/Decima), it was revealed that 46 per cent of Canadians find it easier to save, while only 11 per cent thought that investing was easier.  Of those polled, 19 per cent said they found both easy, yet 24 per cent indicated they found both to be difficult.  What is even more interesting is that of the nearly half that said saving was easier, 52 per cent said this was because they felt it required less time and effort, not to mention research, as well as 36 per cent who perceived saving to be safer than investing.  That result is not altogether surprising considering what Canadians have been through in the past few years.  Watching their portfolios shrink in 2008-09 and then whipsaw this past year, the belief is that investing = stocks = risk.  The reality is that investing encompasses both fixed-income securities and equities, with the latter representing the greater degree of risk.  This is the same as the misperception that RRSP investing means investing in the stock market, or that all mutual funds are somehow tied to the stock market.
Reading between the lines of the survey results, there is a suggestion that another reason people have a harder time getting their heads around investing is that it is associated with the long-term.  This can mean a whole bunch of things to different people, from 10 years to 50 years; but either way it sometimes feels like the money is locked away for a long time, during which it is uncertain how it will grow and how certain its future will be.  Saving, on the other hand, is generally viewed as putting cash in a bank account or money market fund, which we can draw from whenever we need to.  I would argue that Canadians need to separate the two concepts.
What's the difference?
Saving is the act of taking a portion of the money we earn and placing it somewhere to sit in reserve, provide an income or grow.  Investing is what we do with the savings.  Putting $200 a month into my bank account is savings, but putting it into my RRSP in a balanced mutual fund is investing.  The key thing is that I put that $200 somewhere other than into a shopkeeper's hands.  The real issue, in my opinion, is that Canadians still need more help in getting the saving process down pat before talking about investing.  The good news is that the survey found that 46 per cent of Canadians found that they were both savers and investors.  Only 10 per cent saw themselves as investors, while 27 per cent said they were savers.  A disappointing 17 per cent said they were neither.  This is the segment of the population that needs to cross the savings hurdle first, and then figure out investing.
Out of sight is out of mind
For those having difficulty saving, it's either because there is no household budget in place, or one was made but not adhered to.  Some recommend ditching the budget, but I believe you need to take the middle ground.  First, have a look at how much is coming into the household from earnings.  Next, get a ballpark number for what your non-discretionary spending needs are. These are things you need to pay for each month, like rent and food, but will also include other essentials like providing recreational activities for your kids or yourself (health is every bit as important as money).  Now, look at your last three months of bank statements and see what the difference was between inflows and outflows.  You might have to net out larger non-monthly items like property taxes and insurance.  Most likely, there is going to be less left over than the difference between your income and necessary spending.  You have just figured out how much you're spending on discretionary things.  Take the average of the last three months and divide it by two and have this amount taken from your bank account.  This has still left padding of 50 per cent of your non-essential spending and, over time you'll discover that what was left over was more than enough or not enough so that you can adjust.
To make it even easier, don't worry about where the extra savings is going right now, since there will probably be some anxiety over the smaller daily chequing account balances every time you go to the ATM.  Once the anxiety, if any, has passed and you don't miss the spurious shopping on the debit card, take a look at what has accumulated.  The next step is to think of your savings exercise as having two parts.  First, it is building a rainy day reserve of cash in case of loss of income or sudden emergency.  This should be around 2-3 months' worth of net (after tax) income.  What's left over is what you're going to invest for whatever objectives you have (retirement, children's education, a new house, etc.).
Go and grow
That next step should feel clearer in that the savings has already happened. All you need to do now is figure out roughly what your objective is by sitting with an advisor, assessing how your investments need to be split between fixed income securities and equities and then having the monthly savings taken automatically out of the bank account to whatever investment account is going to - which would include your RRSP, TFSA or a non-registered account.  For those starting off, it may not be feasible to buy individual securities like stocks, bonds and GICs, so keep it simple and begin with a solid quality balanced mutual fund that reflects the asset allocation you want.  The advantage is that the investments will grow in line with your risk tolerance.  Then just make sure to review the investments regularly (at least once a year) and make changes if necessary.
Soon you won't feel much different about spending less, but you'll see a cash reserve you never had and investments that are growing.  Every five years, you can then re-assess your financial situation and objectives and adjust the rate at which you're saving. Hopefully, at some point, the vast majority of Canadians will answer 'yes' to both when asked if they find saving or investing easier.
About the survey
A total of 1,011 completed surveys were collected from a random sample of Harris/Decima panel members across Canada. The study was conducted from October 14th, 2010 to October 25th, 2010.
This was a standard panel survey among a random sample of Harris/Decima's Canadian panel members. In a fashion similar to a telephone study, email addresses from their panel were pulled at random, according to population and gender specifications, in order to make the study representative of the Canadian population by region and gender. When contacted to solicit participation, participants had no prior knowledge of the subject matter of the study. Harris/Decima controls access to the study through passwords to ensure that respondents can participate only once. Subsequent to completion of the study, the data was weighted by region, age, and gender.
Andrew Pyle (www.andrewpyle.com)  is a licensed wealth adviser and associate portfolio manager with ScotiaMcLeod. A certified financial planner, Andrew has held several senior market positions in Canada's financial industry for over 20 years, providing economic and market strategy advice to individuals, corporations, central banks and major investment funds. He was previously chief Canadian economist with S&P/MMS International, chief strategist for dutch bank ABN AMRO, and vice-president and head of capital market research for Scotia Economics. Andrew writes regularly for Yahoo! Canada Finance.

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 Source: Yahoo

fight colds and flu

How to fight colds and flu: What works and what doesn’t

The much-dreaded cold and flu season is upon us. And if you’re like me, there isn’t any spare time built into the schedule to be sick. So how can I bolster my defenses against the germs lurking in the common areas in my office, the mall where I do my holiday shopping and the rest stops I encounter in my holiday travels?

Related: Delicious recipes to help boost your immune system

I took a look at the research Ana Mantica and Rachel Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., have written about for EatingWell and pulled together a list of what’s worth trying—and what’s not.

Try It: Vitamin D
In a study published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, children who took daily vitamin D supplements (1,200 IU) were 40 percent less likely to get a common flu virus than kids who took a placebo. Laboratory studies indicate that the nutrient may help immune cells identify and destroy bacteria and viruses that make us sick, says Adit Ginde, M.D., M.P.H., a public health researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. Since the majority of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D, most experts recommend a D supplement. You can also get it (in small doses) from fatty fish, such as salmon, and fortified milk—and your body makes vitamin D from the sun.

Related: Poached Salmon with Creamy Piccata Sauce and more healthy recipes to get more vitamin D

Try It: Green tea
Polyphenols, potent plant antioxidants, are what’s believed to give green tea its immune-boosting effects. One laboratory study suggested that a particular type of polyphenols called catechins may kill influenza viruses. To maximize benefits and minimize bitterness, use just-below-boiling water and steep green tea no more than a minute or two. A little lemon and honey can also help blunt the bitterness. But don’t add milk, because the proteins will bind to the polyphenols, making them ineffective.

Related: Add This One Ingredient to Your Tea to Preserve its Health Benefits

Try It: Probiotics
Some research suggests that when these so-called “good” bacteria—found in yogurt, sauerkraut and other foods—reach the lower intestine, they not only suppress the growth of “bad” bacteria but also might activate the immune system to fight off diseases in other ways. But studies showing a clear boost to the immune system are few. In one study of 33 healthy young women, both “regular” yogurt and so-called “probiotic-fortified” yogurt (which contained added beneficial bacteria cultures) were found to boost T-cells, key players in the body’s defenses against viruses and other pathogens. But it’s a long way from findings like those to “assuming that by loading up on yogurt—or sauerkraut or kimchi—you can boost your immune system enough to fight off something like the H1N1 flu,” says Barry Goldin, Ph.D., professor in the department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. Fortifying yourself with a daily dose of fermented foods can’t hurt, says Goldin, “but if you want to beat the flu, get vaccinated.”

Quick tip: Look for fermented dairy products, such as yogurt or kefir (a yogurt-like beverage), that are labeled with a “Live & Active Cultures” seal from the National Yogurt Association. The seal signifies that the yogurt contains a set minimum amount of two particular types of beneficial bacteria.

Related: Healthy Breakfasts With Yogurt

Try It: Soluble Fiber
Mice that ate a diet rich in soluble fiber for six weeks recovered from a bacterial infection in half the time it took mice that chowed on meals containing mixed fiber, according to a recent study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. Soluble fiber—abundant in citrus fruits, apples, carrots, beans and oats—helps fight inflammation, says lead author Christina Sherry, Ph.D., R.D., of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Insoluble fiber—found in wheat, whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables—is still important for overall health, but it doesn’t seem to have the same impact on immunity. Strive for 25 to 38 grams of total fiber a day, Sherry says, paying extra attention to getting the soluble kind.

Related: High-Fiber Breakfasts You Can Grab & Go

Skip It: Airborne
As with many label claims, Airborne’s current one begins with a kernel of truth: vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium—nutrients in the supplement—are among the vitamins and minerals that our immune systems need to function efficiently. According to a 2002 report in the British Journal of Nutrition, deficiencies of any of these nutrients (or of vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, copper or iron) can depress immunity. But the key word is deficiency; most of us—save for smokers, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and the elderly—meet our needs for these nutrients with the foods we eat. (If you fall into any of those higher-risk categories, talk with your doctor before taking a supplement.) And more isn’t better. Excess amounts of many nutrients are potentially harmful, and it’s all too easy to go overboard. Just one tablet of Airborne contains 1,667 percent of the daily recommended value (DRV) for vitamin C.

Skip It: Glacéau’s Vitaminwater “Defense”
This drink, with a label that claims it is “specially formulated with nutrients required for optimal functioning of the immune system,” doesn’t deliver the mega-high doses of nutrients that Airborne does. (A 20-ounce bottle of the water contains 150 percent of the DRV of vitamin C and 25 percent for four B vitamins and zinc.) Plus it delivers 125 calories per bottle.

What do you eat to keep sickness at bay?

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D.

Source:

Yahoo