Natural Household Bug Repellents:
• Essential Oils: Using essential oils such as lemon, orange, clove, peppermint, and mint around the home will deter most bugs as they are turned off by strong odors.

• Garlic and Pepper Powder: Most bugs avoid both garlic and pepper; therefore, sprinkling the powder around the key areas in the home helps keep the bugs at bay.

• Cucumber Slices and Ants: As summer approaches, ants flock to kitchens on the hunt for food crumbs. Ants are appalled by cucumbers; therefore, the cucumber slices work best when placed near cracks or other areas where ants may enter the home.

•Crushed Mint and Flies: Small packets of crushed mint helps to repel flies.

•Lemon Peels and Moths: We love the fresh, citrus smell of lemons and prefer it to using cedar blocks in the closet to keep moths from destroying our clothes.

1)  Summer entertaining

Garden parties, barbecues, and family reunions make summer special. To keep our menus rich while saving money, they agreed to serve ground beef instead of steak at all 10 of our family get-togethers. In this way, They plan to spend $1.50 per person on meat instead of $15, for total savings of $1,350 this summer.

2)  Summer vacation

1) 

Eat Bacon and Eggs for Breakfast

Regularly skipping breakfast increases your risk of obesity by 450 percent. Moreover, researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that people who regularly ate a protein-rich, 600-calorie breakfast lost significantly more weight in 8 months than those who consumed only 300 calories and a quarter of the protein.

And no, eggs and bacon aren’t unhealthy. (Overeating eggs and bacon—or anything else—is what’s unhealthy.) In fact, whole eggs contain more essential vitamins and minerals per calorie than any other food. They’re also one of the best sources of choline, a substance your body requires to break down fat for energy

   2. Tilt Up Your Rearview Mirror
Just far enough to force yourself into an upright sitting position to see behind you. You’ll improve your posture, and soothe your aching back.

3. Lean Back in Your Office Chair
Parking your torso at a 90-degree angle strains your spine, say Scottish and Canadian researchers. Instead, give your chair the La-Z-Boy treatment and recline the seat back slightly. The ideal angle is 45 degrees off vertical. 

4. Use the Bathroom Stall Nearest to the Door
It has the fewest germs and the most toilet paper, because everyone walks past it.

5. Don’t Blow Your Nose When You Have a Cold
It can force mucus and germs back into nasal passages and prolong the cold. Use antihistamines. And please—wipe.

6. Stand Up and Stretch Out
Genes in your body linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity can be “turned on” if you sit for hours on end, reports a study in Diabetes. Hit the “off” button by taking hourly laps during TV, book, and Web sessions.

7. Take a Vitamin D Supplement
An Archives of Internal Medicine review reports that 400 IU of vitamin D a day reduces your risk of an early death by 7 percent. Most multivitamins deliver 400 IU of D, but check the label.

8. Pet Your Dog Often
Spending time with a pet is more effective at reducing stress than spending time with friends, girlfriends, or bartenders. Especially bartenders.

9. Steam Your Broccoli
Italian researchers recently discovered that steaming broccoli increases its concentration of glucosinolates (compounds found to fight cancer) by 30 percent. Boiling actually lowers the levels.

10. Lose the Dryer Lint
Taking 10 seconds to empty the lint trap in your clothes dryer can prevent you from being one of the 315 dryer-fire victims each year in North America.

11. Skip Spray Cleaners
Using household spray cleaners just once a week increases your risk of an asthma attack by 76 percent, say Spanish researchers. Use wipes instead.

12. Never Eat Out of the Original Container
How many times have you dipped into a pint of ice cream only to find yourself staring at the bottom of the container 15 minutes later? And stop using oversize plates, bowls, and cups. Research shows you’ll put more food on them, but won’t be any more satisfied (just fatter).

13. Rent The Hangover 2
Laughing at a funny movie causes blood vessels to dilate by 22 percent, according to a University of Maryland study. This, in turn, reduces your blood pressure.

14. Tape a Golf Ball to the Back of Your Pajamas
It’ll force you to sleep on your side or front. Back sleepers often have blocked airways, and that leads to a host of troubles, including snoring and apnea.

15. Sleep 7 to 8 Hours a Night
Too much or too little sleep can kill you. A British study found that getting more than 9 hours of sack time a night, or less than 6, doubles your risk of an early death from any cause.

1. Begin with a non-allergenic diet: Although allergens are external, it is actually our body’s response to them that is the cause of the allergy — it is an allergic reaction. If your body is already inundated with food allergy triggers, your immune system will be hyper-wired to react to external allergens. Eliminate wheat, dairy, and excess sugar, the most common allergens.

2. Try a spoonful of honey: Choose local honey produced by bees that live in your area. The theory is that consuming honey may be much like immunotherapy, in the same way that allergists introduce tiny doses of an allergen to reduce sensitivity. As bees collect nectar from flowers, they inadvertently pick up pollen grains, which get into the honey, creating homeopathic immunotherapy.

Using honey as a preventive works best with a daily dose several weeks or months before allergy season. For example, New York City recently approved beekeeping, and one brand, called Hi-Rise Hive, is sold at local health food stores.

3. Take vitamin C and quercetin: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and also a mast cell “stabilizer.” Mast cells are tiny cells that line the mucous membranes, which when exposed to an allergen, release histamine.

Histamine in the bloodstream is the cause of symptoms such as, eye irritation, sneezing, and a runny nose. Vitamin C makes mast cells less reactive, thus reducing allergy symptom, and quercetin is a powerful flavonoid that enhances the effects of vitamin C.

Take 1500mg of vitamin C with 500mg quercetin at the first signs of allergies and repeat every four to six hours as needed. This crafty combination can put a sneezing attack to rest within 20 to 30 minutes. Another great product, Natural D-Hist also contains singing nettle leaf, bromelein (an enzyme), and N-acetyl cysteine (thins mucous).

4. Drink stinging nettle leaf tea: If you have come in contact with this perennial, you probably remember the sting. But it’s safe and healthy in drink form. Steep the tea for 10 to 15 minutes to obtain the full benefits of the medicinal oils.

5. Sooth your nose with a neti pot: Seasonal allergies are usually due to pollen from flowering plants, grasses, and trees that become stuck in the nasal passages. Pollen triggers the inflammatory process that we call allergies. One way to reduce symptoms is to wash the allergens out with salt-water.

6. Inhale steam with essential oils: Bring water to a boil in a saucepan and then turn off the heat. Place 4 drops eucalyptus oil, 1 to 2 drops tea tree oil, and 3 drops rosemary essential oil. Drape a large towel over your head and inhale deeply for 5 to 10 minutes.

7. Give acupuncture a shot: Acupuncture can be effective, and it is thought that  acupuncture may temper an overactive immune system. Applied locally, it can help reduce nasal and sinus inflammation that is the cause of much of the discomfort from allergies.

1. Be referred to as ‘Kate’

When Kate Middleton joins the House of Windsor this year, her official title will become ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess William of Wales’.

She can be addressed as ‘Catherine’ or ‘Ma’am’ (pronounced like ‘ham’). But ‘Kate’ isn’t going to cut it anymore by Royal standards.

Clarence House officials will probably wine and dine London’s Royal correspondents and then ask them to please refer to Kate as ‘Catherine’ in the future. But we think they will refuse to do this. Something to do with search engine keywords.

2. Vote

Technically, the Queen and other members of her family are allowed to vote, but they do not do so because in practice it would be considered unconstitutional and not in accordance with the need for neutrality.

This is in keeping with the Royal Family’s public role, which is based on identifying with every section of society, including minorities and special interest groups.

3. Run for political office

For the reasons stated above, this is also a no no.

4. Escape the scrutiny

As arguably Britain’s most dysfunctional family, the Monarchy provides the British public with a generous source of voyeuristic entertainment, and an opportunity for heartless slander.

Having already been under the media spotlight for the best part of nine years, Kate has copped her fair share of criticism from the media over the most mundane and insignificant of things.

5. Play Monopoly

In 2008, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, said that the Royal Family was not allowed to play Monopoly at home “because it gets too vicious”. No member of the family has yet revealed what they play in its place during the Christmas holidays.

6. Say or do anything controversial

This includes accepting large amounts of money from ‘businessmen’ for access to your husband and getting your toes sucked in public by your financial adviser. You know who you are, Fergs.

But it also encompasses Kate’s expression of her preferred political position, social position, sexual position – basically anything within the realms of personality.

So far she has succeeded seamlessly in this, not putting a foot wrong in any situation. Granted though, the world has only heard her speak once after her and William’s engagement and that was a heavily rehearsed affair.

7. Eat shellfish

British Royals are apparently never served shellfish, because of a fear of food poisoning. So if Kate can’t live without crustaceans, she will have to seek them out in her own time.

8. Work

It is well known that Royals and careers don’t mix well. As proven when Prince Charles’ plan to work part time in a factory failed and Countess Sophie Wessex was forced to abandon her PR firm.

In Kate’s case though, the whole unemployment scenario shouldn’t be too difficult to handle. At 29 years of age she is the oldest spinster ever to marry a future king, and though she has a History of Art degree and years of life experience, Kate has spurned work wherever possible.

This is unless you count seven months as a casual accessories buyer for clothing chain Jigsaw and a short time working for the family company, Party Pieces.

Pinned by some as the unemployed woman marrying into a welfare family, we’re reckoning the guys at Buckingham will keep her busy by sending her to lots of boat launches and pancake flipping gigs.

9. Sign anything unofficial

As a potential future counsellor of state if William becomes king, Kate might at some stage have to sign government papers and brings legislation into force in her husband’s place.

People in this position are strictly not supposed to sign anything that could lead to their signature being copied and forged.

Last year Prince Harry was in hot water when he flouted this rule by signing the plaster cast of a girl who had fractured her arm, a media report said.

The 17-year-old from Leicestershire was so excited she said her cast would be “going in a glass box”, which the Queen might not have been too happy about.

10 Finish her dinner

If she is a slower eater than her grandmother-in-law, Kate could go hungry. In Britain, when the Queen stops eating, you stop as well, fork in hand.

So much of your personal data is swirling around the world that you cannot fully protect yourself. But here are some steps you can take to lower your risk:

1. Get out of marketing data bases.

2. Opt out, or unsubscribe, from every commercial email list you’re on.

3. Stop most direct mail.

4. Stop your bank from sharing your name.

5. Stop sharing personal information on your Facebook, LinkedIn, or MySpace pages with the general public.

6. Stop phone calls from telemarketers, by signing up with the National Do Not Call registry.

7. Opt out of credit card offers.

8. Don’t be fooled. Never open an email telling you that you’ve won something, or that you have an unclaimed package, or that there’s a problem with your tax return or bank account. Just by opening it, you might introduce malware into your machine, which searches for passwords to financial accounts. If your bank or credit card company apparently sends you an email, asking you to make corrections in your account, delete. It’s a cheat. Or call the institution to see if it’s legit, before entering any information.

SNEAKY WAYS TO SAVE CASH:

• Mascara: It can last for 5 months if you swirl the brush as you pull it out instead of pumping it up & down. Dipping the tube in boiling water for about 15 seconds will make it gooey again.

• Nail Polish: Since heat and sunlight destroy it by separating the ingredients, keep your bottles in the fridge and you will more than double their lifespan.

• Perfume: Direct light makes perfume lose its scent and start to smell funky, but keeping the bottles in the original box or in a medicine cabinet can get you 3 extra years out of it.

• Razors: Keep your blade sharper for longer by dipping it in rubbing alcohol after each use. Don’t leave your razor where it will get sprayed with water and is more likely to rust.

• Running Shoes: You can quadruple their lifespan by keeping them at room temperature when they’re off your feet. Cold air breaks down the soles and messes up the air pockets.

– Condensed from Cosmopolitan.com

http://www.rickhansenrelay.com/en/

WHITES:

Do your white T-shirts tend to go grey? White socks look dirty no matter how many times they’re washed? Try one of these tried and trusted methods for making whites stay white.??

1. Baking soda

Soak in a solution of 4 liters water and 1 cup baking soda.

2. Aspirin

Soak in hot water in which you’ve dissolved 5 aspirin tablets (325mg each).

3. Vinegar

Add 1 cup white vinegar to the washing machine’s rinse cycle.

NOW LET’S MAKE YOUR DARKS LOOK NEWER!!!

Blacker blacks and darker darks

Here are some tips for keeping black and dark-colored clothes looking like new.

4. Coffee or tea

For black clothes, add 2 cups brewed coffee or tea to the rinse cycle.

5. Salt

For dark colors like navy blue or plum, add 1 cup table salt to the rinse cycle.

6. Vinegar and salt

To keep denim from fading quickly, soak jeans in salt water or a 50:50 solution of water and white vinegar before the first wash. Turn the jeans inside out before putting them in the machine and turn the temperature setting to cold.

GAS SAVING TIPS THAT DON’T ACTUALLY WORK

1. Turning Off the AC

Air conditioning in your home does a number on your electric bill, so it must drain your gas tank too, right? Not so much. Auto testing at Consumer Reports proves that running the AC uses such a nominal amount more in gas, you may as well turn on the AC and be comfortable on a hot day. Rolling down your windows can add drag, zapping your car’s efficiency; for best gas mileage, run the fan and keep your windows rolled up.

2. Filling Up When It’s Cold Outside

Get your gas in the evening or early morning — the fuel is cold, and therefore denser. The truth about this myth is that you can barely register a temperature difference, since gas is stored in cool underground tanks, so fill up when you want. There are no savings to be had by waiting until it’s cool out.

3. Increasing Tire Pressure

To get the most out of your gallon of gas, you should pump up those tires, some say. While driving on underinflated tires can cost you 3.75% in fuel economy, overinflating tires can be downright dangerous, since it reduces your grip on the road and could cause an accident. Proper tire inflation is important for safety and longevity of your tires, but don’t expect any significant gas savings there.

4. Pouring Additives

Where there’s a need, there’s a product, but that doesn’t mean it actually works. Our desire for better fuel economy seems answered by fuel additives and even bolt-on devices — but they’re a complete waste of money according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

5. Changing the Air Filter

Taking care of your car is a good thing: You’ll be able to drive it longer, and get the most for your money. Don’t expect maintenance like changing the air filter to get you more miles out of the gas tank, though. Consumer Reports tests have shown that with today’s computerized cars, clogged air filters don’t actually reduce fuel economy. Take care of your car to make it last, but don’t look at air filters to reduce your gas expense.

6. Keeping the Engine Running

Starting a car sucks up fuel, some say, so keep the engine idling when possible. That’s bad advice: today’s fuel-injected vehicles are efficient and don’t waste gas during start-ups anymore. In fact, idling can cost you up to half a gallon of gas an hour, so turn off the engine if you’re not going anywhere.