Ryan Dobry's YOU Tips for Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Summer Safety Tips!
1. Get more out of leftovers! Head to www.stilltasty.com to find out how long you can safely store chicken casserole, egg salad, soup and other leftover meals.
2. Seek the right shelter in a lightning storm! Being able to hear thunder, even a slight rolling rumble, means that lightning is 10 miles away or less. Immediately head inside a house or other substantial building, not a picnic shelter, shed or tent. A full building has electrical wiring designed to draw the electricity straight into the ground, away from you and the building. No building nearby? Get inside a hardtop car, the steel frame of the car will carry the charge away.
3. Swim your way back to shore! If you ever get caught in a current that is pulling you away from the shore, swim parallel to the shore instead of toward it until you are out of the current. Avoid a rip current by not swimming in areas where the waves
don't break. It may seem like a nice calm spot but that is where a rip current usually is.
4. Escape from a sinking car! Less than 5% of car accidents end in the water but knowing what to do can save your life. First, unfasten your seat belt, if you can, roll down your window and climb out. If the window won't open, kick out a side window, not the windshield, by aiming for the upper corners which are the weakest spots. The ResQMe keychain has a spring-loaded metal spike that breaks a car window, plus a stainless steel blade to cut through jammed seat belts. $14.99 at www.containerstore.com.
5. Stop a grease fire in seconds! Turn off the burner, using a pot holder, slide the pan's lid over the fire to snuff out the flames. No lid nearby? Grab a box of baking soda or a canister of flour to douse the flames. Don't use water or a fire extinguisher on a grease fire as that causes the oil to splash everywhere and spread the fire. For oven and microwave fires, turn the appliance off and keep the door closed to starve the fire of oxygen and it exstinguishes on its own.
Ryan Dobry's YOU Tips for Tuesday, June 30, 2009
It's A Great Week To.....
1. Get free plants for your garden! Go to www.freetreesandplants.com , search the database of plants and trees, which come from overstock at nurseries and other growers. The site will send you any plant you request for free; you just pay $7.99 shipping. Can't find what you're looking for? Try www.blossomswap.com, where you can trade extra seed packets you have with other users to get any plant you like.
2. To avoid jet lag! Eat any cherries! Since the fruit is one of the few natural sources of melatonin - an antioxidant that helps regulate sleep cycles - this trick helps you hop time zones without missing a beat!
3. Degrease your grill with cooking spray! Spritz your grill with cooking spray and turn it on for 10-15 minutes. Since the spray is flammable, anything it doesn't instantly get rid of will burn off. (For safety's sake, stay nearby while it does) Once it's cool, use a barbecue tool or ball of aluminum foil to knock off remaining flakes.
4. Spruce up plastic patio furniture with shaving cream! Apply shaving cream to both the plastic and cushions, spreading it around with a sponge, then hosing it off. Shaving cream is essentially condensed soap. Sap stains are a little tougher, cover the area with creamy peanut butter, which contains oils that loosen the sap. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse.
5. Win a cruise! Enter the SunnyD Smoothies Smooth Sailing Getaway for a chance to win a seven-night Carnival Cruise for you and three guests! Visit www.sunnydsmoothies.com for your chance to win!
Ryan Dobry's YOU Tips for Monday, June 29, 2009
SIX ONCE-FORBIDDEN FOODS THAT AREN'T SO BAD FOR YOU
Researchers have found that these foods are less sinful than we thought, and in some cases, can actually provide health benefits.
Eggs
Nutritional experts had long maligned eggs because they are high in cholesterol, but more recent research revealed that saturated fat -- not cholesterol -- poses the greatest risk. The American Dietetic Association considers eating eggs in moderation a healthy habit and suggests removing some of the egg yolks to reduce fat and cholesterol.
Coffee
Forgoing coffee was like a badge of honor in health nut circles, but not any longer. Recent studies have refuted caffeine's link to heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. In addition, health experts now tell us that filling up our mugs has health benefits. According to the American Medical Association, regular coffee drinkers are less likely to have type II diabetes and their caffeine habit may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have also seen a reduced risk of dementia among people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day.
Sugar
Cane sugar earned a bad rap, sparking a move to replace it with everything from honey to concentrated fruit juice. Studies now show that the substitutes are no better than the real deal. Whatever the original source, consuming too many of these sweet simple carbohydrates can cause health problems.
Alcohol
For a long time, science was lockstep with Puritan thinking, shunning all alcohol. But within the last few years, there has been a growing body of evidence that alcohol in small amounts is associated with better health. Experts believe that having a few drinks a week may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies indicate that red wine in particular has positive benefits.
Chocolate
Unlike gummy and caramel candies, chocolate doesn’t stick to your teeth causing cavities. And don’t try to blame chocolate for blemishes; researchers have found no correlation between the two. In fact, the antioxidants may improve the appearance of your skin by combating inflammation from free radicals. Look for dark chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cocoa -- the higher the cocoa percentage, the more healthy flavanol antioxidants it contains.
Butter
We all know that butter isn’t good for us. But, according to the scientists at Harvard Health Publications, a little butter isn’t so bad and is actually better than stick margarines. Margarine was thought to be heart healthy because, unlike butter, it doesn’t contain cholesterol or saturated fat. But the common process to convert liquid oil into margarine by adding hydrogen atoms creates harmful trans fats that, like butter, increase bad cholesterol in the blood while decreasing the good kind. The hydrogenation is essential to create the stick margarine, but many of the soft margarines in tubs are now made with fewer or no trans fats and some health experts recommend those over butter. As for the overall fat and calorie content, it’s a tie -- neither will do your waistline any favors, so use them sparingly.
