Praise as good as cash

Forget money. Your brain responds better to praise. Study finds a compliment appears to activate the same reward center in the brain as paying them cash. But what about shopping? I think my reward center goes ding a ling when I get a good deal at the mall. You can read more about the study here.

Kids be gone!

The controversial "mosquito" is now being used in the U-S, despite protests from civil liberties groups. The gadget makes a screeching noise that is intolerable to teens, so they won't hang around where they're not wanted, like in front of stores, malls or schools, after hours. You can read more about it here.

Diet affects child's sex

Moms who eat cereal for breakfast are more likely to have sons. Study out links a baby's sex with what expectant moms eat. And even links low calorie diets to giving birth to girls. Of course, we're already watching our weight in the womb! Read more about it here.

Farmer adopts piggy

A farmer in Austria has taken in a 20 day old little piggy, because it's momma doesn't have enough milk for him. This little piggy is now living large, in the farmer's house. He's so cute. Hopefully he won't wind up on someone's dinner table.
Here are some pictures.

Equal Pay Day!

Women still are not receiving equal pay for equal work. Today is Equal Pay Day, a day when women should spread awareness about the pay inequities by wearing red, hosting an "unhappy hour" and sending a message to their legislators of their displeasure. You can find out more about it here.

Earth Day crafting

You can celebrate Earth Day by making crafts with your kids out of household items, like a laundry bottle pet food scoop, tin can herb pots and an egg carton bug mobile. It's fun and educational. Crafting tips here.

At work scams

Don't fall for the "mystery shopper" scam. The latest way to reel in unsuspecting people who want to work out of their homes. The scam involves a company inviting a person to become a shopper, then getting a check, having to deposit the check and in return write a check back to the company. In the end, the check is bad and the person is out the money. You can read more about it here.

Danica Wins

After 50 tries, Danica Patrick has won her first IndyCar race, the Indy Japan 300. I'm not that into car racing, but I couldn't resist talking about a woman who has broken down another gender barrier. She's the first female winner in IndyCar history. And now she has a plane named after her as a result. Air Tran naming Monday "Air Tranica" day. Read more about it here.