Workout Partners—Both Good and Bad

You set your gym clothes out the night before. Your
running shoes wait by the door. But you just can’t seem
to get out of bed. You need something to motivate you.
That’s when your workout partner knocks on the door.
You know she’s dressed and ready for your morning
jog. It’s time to get out of bed and put on your running
shoes!
Having a workout partner, whether it’s a friend or family
member, can really help when you just can’t seem to
make it on your own. While you might skip the jog if it’s
just you, the thought of letting your buddy down can get
you up and going. Having a friend with you can also turn
the work part of your workout into fun.
But what happens if your pal can’t give you the support
you need? A workout buddy who doesn’t help you stick
to your goals can do more harm than good. Here are
some tips to help you choose a partner who is more of a
cheerleader than a couch potato.
1. Look for shared goals. Find friends who are
shooting for the same goal, or close to it. Maybe
you haven’t been active in a while and just want
to fit into your favorite jeans. If so, a friend who is
training for their second triathlon may not be your
best match.
2. Share the love. You can have more than one
workout buddy. It’s OK if Sharon from work is your
walking friend, but you play tennis on Wednesdays
with Tim from your book club. And you can still join
a weekend hiking group with Linda, your friend from
school. The more workout pals you have, the lower
your chance of being stuck without something active
to do.
3. Keep it fresh. If you or your walking buddy start to
grow bored with your daily walk, suggest something
else. The more fun you have being active, the more
active you will want to be. Go out and try something
new. If you like it, keep it. If not, try the next thing
on your list. From yoga to Zumba®, there are many
ways to get fit.
While a friend may help keep you going, the choice to be
active is really yours. Make activity fun. Choose the right
partner. Then tell yourself to get up and move.

How To Protect Yourself And Others On The Road

Could you pass a written driver’s test – today? The results of an online GMAC Insurance survey showed that nearly 1 in 5 licensed drivers – 38 million Americans – probably wouldn’t! Here’s what you should do to brush up on the Rules of the Road and make yourself safer.

 Take the National Drivers Test. Go to www.nationaldriverstest.com. Answer the 20 questions from state exams and study up on the ones you missed. You also can download it to Facebook and challenge your friends.

 Review Local Traffic Laws. Many states post them on a .gov website.

 Avoid these top driving mistakes that cause crashes:
• Multi-tasking while driving. Say “no” to: texting, phone calls and eating!
• Following too closely. Leave 2 seconds between you and the car ahead.
• Failure to yield on a left turn. Check for cars or people in your path.
• Incorrect merging. Merge carefully but don’t stop.
• Backing up. Don’t rely on the mirrors. Look over your shoulder.

 Consider a refresher course. AARP offers an online Driver Safety Course geared to drivers 50 and older. Plus, taking it may qualify you for a car insurance discount.

 Keep your brain sharp by subscribing to a computer driving program. CogniFit sells a Senior Driver program that starts with an assessment of 10 cognitive abilities essential for safe driving, including visual scanning and response time. It’s probably good for everyone!

 Get help from your car. The next time you’re car shopping, look for a model that offers new “smart” technologies such as Distance Control Assist (which applies the brakes when you’re following another car too closely); Blind-Spot Detection (which alerts you about vehicles in your blind spots); and Night Vision Systems (which give you a vision of the road ahead with a infrared beam).

Make Your Comfort Meal Healthy

You’re craving a bowl of your mom’s macaroni and
cheese, but you’re also trying to eat healthier. And
what’s healthy about a bowl of pasta and cheese? The
truth is, with some creative switches, many of your
favorite comfort dishes can stay on your healthy menu.

Pasta
The simple carbs in pasta have many people avoiding
this starchy dish. But there are some things you can
do to get it back on your friendly food list. First, switch
to whole grain pasta. Next, use half as much pasta as
usual. Swap in vegetables for the other half. If your
mom’s recipe calls for 4 cups of noodles, make 2 cups
of whole grain pasta. Then mix in 2 cups of cooked
cauliflower.

Meats
If roast beef is your comfort food of choice, or you can’t
face another day without a pork chop, there are ways
to work these foods into your healthy diet. First, look at
your cut of meat. Choose “loin” or “round” cuts for beef,
and “loin” or “leg” cuts for pork. For poultry, take off the
skin before you cook it. Like pasta, substitute veggies or
beans for half of your usual portion.

Soups and Sauces
You may think you have to say goodbye to your favorite
soups and sauces. But that may not be so. Instead, get
creative and make your old favorites even more flavorful.
First, work in more vegetables. They add nutrients and
fiber—and very few calories. Spinach or green peppers
can make anything from marinara to minestrone soup a
healthier choice.
For those days when creamy sauce is a must, you
still have options. Try using pureed white beans (not
cream) to thicken your sauce. And if cheese is what
you’re looking for, try low-fat versions. Stronger-flavored
cheeses (like sharp cheddar or aged parmesan) will give
you the same amount of flavor with less cheese.

Servings
A final tip for healthy comfort food is to eat only enough
to take care of your craving. A small bowl of mom’s
macaroni and cheese would taste great with a plate full
of fresh leafy greens, don’t you think?
Eating healthy isn’t about never enjoying your food
again. It’s about making smart choices and finding new
ways to play with flavor. You may even find that healthy
comfort food tastes better than the old recipes.

Make Your Pens and Markers Last 3 Times Longer!

Do you ever reach for a favorite marker only to find it dried up and useless? Here is a simple fix: Store all of your pens and markers UP SIDE DOWN. The tips will stay irrigated with fresh ink and maintain their shape.

Filler Up With…Biogas?

The Los Angeles Times reports that an environmentally positive form of automotive fuel can now be made from municipal sewage, agricultural crop wastes and cow manure. “Biogas” is a compressed methane gas extracted from organic sources (such as cow manure).

The “Biogas” is purified and treated so it can serve as fuel in standard internal combustion engines. The fuel is a joint venture between Pasadena, CA non-profit that specializes in alternative transportation technologies and a Swedish business group that is testing the fuel. “Biogas” has been successfully powering cars and commercial trucks in Sweden for 3 years.

Microwaving Zaps Nutritional Value

Researchers have found certain methods of preparation and cooking, such as microwaving, can cause vegetables to lose many key nutritional benefits. Researchers found microwaved broccoli had lost almost 90% of three major antioxidant compounds - flavonoids, sinapics and caffeoyl-quinic derivatives, which are thought to have cancer-fighting properties. In contrast, steamed broccoli had lost only 10% of the same health-promoting compounds. Veggies should be cooked in a minimal amount of water to retain nutritional benefits.

What You Should Know About Child Identity Theft

Guess who are the next victims of identity theft – children! It’s hard to believe but criminals are searching for dormant social security numbers (SSN) online and selling them to people (strangers or even their family members) who use them to establish phony credit. Victims may not know it’s happened until they are older and apply for financial aid or try to open a line of credit.

While you can’t prevent identity theft, you can take steps to limit the opportunities for it to happen. Here’s what you can do and look for:

 Safeguard your child’s SSN and only give it out on a “need to know” basis. School sports teams and doctors’ offices do not have to have the number. Be cautious about disclosing place and date of birth details, particularly online (cybercriminals can find SSNs based on that information). Teach your kids not to give out personal information, especially on social networks (have them use nick names or code names when filling out online profiles).

 Watch for red flags like these:
• You receive checks, pre-approved credit card offers or bank statements in your child’s name. Note: the pre-approved credit card offer may just be a marketing tool sent by an affiliate of your bank because you opened a college fund for your child.
• You get calls from collection agencies.
• Your teen is denied a driver’s license because another person has a license with that SSN. The imposter may even have accumulated tickets or citations in the child’s name

 If you suspect anything, call Social Security and ask if any income has been reported with your child’s number. You can see if there’s a credit report for your child, but don’t do so unless you have a strong indication of theft (ordering a report unnecessarily opens the door to thieves).

For more information, see sites such as www.idtheftcenter.org.