Too Early Trivia February 28th, 2006

Question: A survey shows this as the most annoying habit of Americans.

Answer: Chewing Ice!

Volkswagen Recalls almost 800,000 vehicles

Volkswagen of America said it'll recall 790,000 vehicles because of problems with the brake light switch. The recall involves several vehicles: 1999-2006 model years of the Golf and GTI, 2001-2005 Jettas, 2001-2007 New Beetles and the 2004 R32. This is an extension of last year’s recall where about 360,000 Jettas and New Beetles had to be fixed because of the same defect.

Volkswagen reps said that the brake light switches in the vehicles could malfunction and lead to a crash, by staying on or not working at all.

(Owners of 2001-2002 Jettas and New Beetles who already had the repairs completed following last year's recall do not need to return for a second time. VW owners with questions can contact VW at 800-822-8987.)

Too Early Trivia February 27th, 2007

Question: 62 percent of people say this gives away your personality type.

Answer: The type of car he or she drives.

Too Early Trivia February 26th, 2207

Question: A new survey says the number 1 thing that will get you out of a bad mood in the morning is listening to the radio...what was number 2 on the list?

Answer: Breakfast in bed

Too Early Trivia February 23rd, 2007

Question: A new study suggests that bringing one of these home can make you unhappy.

Answer: A baby.

Send Your Talented Kid to "American Idol Camp"

If you're among the 30-million viewers enthralled weekly by "American Idol," you may be thrilled to know that you may be able to send your kids to "American Idol Camp." Producers of the popular show say they'll open a camp for the performing arts this summer. The so-called "Idol Camp'' will accept 700 kids for four ten-day sessions at a private school in Massachusetts. It's aimed at kids 12 to 15 years old who are interested in the performing arts. Producers are lining up celebrities -- including former "Idols" -- to drop in on classes ranging from dancing to music video production.

Too Early Trivia February 22nd, 2007

Question: Doing this at work can reduce your chance of heart attack by up to fifty percent.

Answer: Using your vacation time.

Hate Exercise? You won't even feel these...

*Clip on a pedometer... Surveys show people who wear this device, which counts the steps you take, tend to walk more. And 2,000 extra steps equals 100 more calories burned.

*Pick up the pace... Moving a bit faster than usual and swinging your arms while you walk can boost calorie loss by 20%. To burn even more, walk with a heavy backpack or up and down a hill. Plus, walking right after eating a big meal keeps fat from depositing on your hips.

*Sneak in the moves... Why not stretch at your desk or do some leg lifts while you wash the dishes? Over time, those mini-workouts can add up to major benefits. Just tapping your toes can help-- fidgety folks have been found to be thinner!

*Put heft into housework... Just 20 minutes of cleanup can give you a total body workout... For example, do lunges when you vaccum, or stretch while you dust your bookshelves. Put on fast music as you clean--studies show you'll move faster with the beat.

*Imagine exercising... Our muscles respond to mental images mirroring them in motions too small for us to notice. So visualizing a workout gives you 15% of the benefits of a real one.

*Schmooze while you lose... Schedule a lunchtime or after-dinner stroll with a good friend or significant other. Walking feels like less work and goes by faster when you do it with someone whose company you enjoy.

The 13 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions

The following is a website where you can check to make sure you aren't missing a deduction on your taxes.

http://money.aol.com/kiplingers/tax/canvas3/_a/the-13-most-overlooked-tax-deductions/20070125163409990001

FDA is warning against baby food with Botulism

The FDA is warning consumers not to use certain jars of Earth’s Best Organic 2 “Apple Peach Barley” Wholesome Breakfast baby food because it may be contaminated with the bacteria that causes botulism, a possibly fatal form of food poisoning. The FDA warns that the baby food should not be used even if it does not look or smell spoiled. The affected food is part of the company’s "2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends" line intended for babies 6 months and older.

If you have any of jars at home with the UPC code that starts with 23923-, you should destroy it immediately. So far, no illnesses have been reported. Signs of sickness include poor feeding, weak sucking and crying, listlessness, and less body movement. Difficulty with swallowing and unusual drooling may also be symptoms of sickness. Anyone with questions should contact Hain Celestial Group at 1-800-434-4246.

Too Early Trivia February 21st, 2007

Question: 10 percent of us have done this at some point in our lives.

Answer: Work at McDonald's

Speedy Stress Busters

From Ladies' Home Journal

No time to de-stress? Think again! You can lower your stress level all but instantly with these on-the-spot mood boosters.

~~ Snack on chips and salsa: Research has found that eating spicy foods -- especially chili peppers -- releases mood-boosting endorphins. The more fiery, the better! So keep a jar of extra-hot salsa on hand for antistress snacking.

~~ Sing out: Belting your favorite tunes is more beneficial than simply listening to them. A recent study at the University of California at Irvine found that choir members got a 240 percent increase in immunoglobulin A (a disease-fighting protein) during performances. (Warning: Suffering through a song you dislike actually spikes your stress level.)

~~ Laugh: Laughter -- even forced laughter! -- lowers cortisol and blood pressure instantly, (so says a study from the University of Maryland Medical Center, in Baltimore). "Researchers found that artery diameter increases 22 percent during laughter -- even when you're faking it. The physical act itself creates the de-stressing effect." So keep a comedy CD in your car or put your funniest friend on speed dial -- and, when all else fails, force yourself to chuckle.

~~ Be grateful: Jot down a list of your blessings. Studies at UCLA show that it's physiologically impossible to be grateful and stressed out at the same time. "Exercising gratitude daily results in higher levels of alertness and enthusiasm".

~~ Meet with friends: A UCLA study found that making eye contact and conversation with someone you care about causes the same kinds of positive physiological changes that a massage does. So pop into a friend's office or have coffee with a pal: "Your body will produce oxytocin [a happiness hormone] literally on the spot".

Oscar Mayer Recall

A company called Carolina Culinary Food announced a national recall for packages of Oscar Mayer’s ready-to-eat chicken breast strips with rib meat because they may be
contaminated. Officials say that the Georgia Department of Agriculture found some icky stuff (Listeria monocytogenes) in a sample taken from the food. That type of
contamination can cause listeriosis, which is a potentially fatal illness that can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea.

So far, no illnesses have been reported, but listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths. The nationwide recall affects all six-ounce packages of "Oscar Mayer/Louis
Rich chicken breast strips with rib meat, grilled, fully cooked, ready to eat" that have the number "P-19676" inside of the USDA mark of inspection on the front of the package. On the back of each package is a "Use by" date of "19 Apr 2007." Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Kraft Consumer Response at 800-871-7117.

Too Early Trivia February 20th, 2007

Question: 11 percent of men say this is their favorite way to relax.

Answer: Take a bubble bath

Too Early Trivia February 16th, 2007

Question: 57 percent of women believe their men would be THRILLED if she did this.

Answer: Made more money than him.

Too Early Trivia February 15th, 2007

Question: 2 of every 10 drivers does this.

Answer: Text message while driving.

Too Early Trivia February 14th, 2007

Question: Only 1/4 of men will do this with their sweetie.

Answer: Watch a chick-flick with her.

Too Early Trivia February 13th, 2007

Question: A national survey of women reveals that if they could get only one thing on Valentine's Day it would be this.

Answer: A traditional love letter.

Too Early Trivia February 12th

Question:
2% of men admit they have done this as a means of trying to impress a woman they just met. What is it?

Answer:
Use a fake accent.

Too Early Trivia February 2nd

About 1/3 of American women say they have done this at least once in their life. What is it?

Answer
Color their hair blonde.

Too Early Trivia February 1st, 2007

Question: In their lifetime the average American driver will spend approximately 2 hours 14 minutes doing this in their vehicle.

Answer: Kissing