Naps are good

With Thanksgiving Day just two days away, good news from the experts: We should all take a nap. A nice nap after a belly full of turkey sounds good. Researchers found when adults take naps, they get creative, remember better and see the big picture. And I see the "big picture" on Thanksgiving Day as a day of eating--after eating turkey and all the fixings, we all take a nap. Then wake up, and have some turkey sandwiches. Details here about napping.

Turkey day tops for fires

If you're cooking this Thanksgiving Holiday, please remember some basic food safety tips, like keeping the kids out of the kitchen and all flammable products away from the stove. Thanksgiving Day is the top day for home cooking fires. More tips here.

Auditions for kids

The Roxy Theatre Group is hosting open auditions for "West Side Story" Friday, Nov. 21st at 6 p.m. Girls, ages 11 to 25 and boys ages 13 to 25, are welcome at the Roxy Performing Arts Center, 1645 SW 107 Ave. in Miami, across from Florida International University South Campus. (305-226-0030)

Sunday fun for kids

It's called Sunday Afternoons of Music For Children. And that's what it is at the University of Miami Gusman Concert Hall this Sunday. Bring the kids to see and hear "Peter and the Wolf & Friends," with the Frost Symphony Orchestra. Before the performance there's the musical instrument petting zoo and after, apple juice, balloons and cookies. Details here.

Childhood obesity link to ads

We all watch tv and see those tempting commercials for food. Now researchers believe there is a link bewteen fast food tv ads and childhood obesity and if there was a ban on those commercials, childhood obesity would be reduced by 18 percent. I'm not sure how they can come up with these claims. But I'm thinking if that were true, let's ban everything tasty looking on TV and we'll all lose weight. More on the research here.

Kids need to play

We're busy and so are our kids. We work, they go to school. And then there's homework, soccer, karate and planned playdates. Experts say kids need to play more and the lack of playtime is hurting them. They say kids need to learn creativity and social skills through unscheduled play time. Kids just being kids. Read more about it here.

Nat'l. Geographic goes video

National Geographic is getting into video games. The first title already out is available for computers and the iphone. It's "Herod's Lost Tomb." They're calling it entertainment with substance. Coming up, they're going to launch games for Nintendo DS about Pandas, and Zoo's. And down the road, titles include "Rain Forests," "Greencity" and "Africa." The timing couldn't be better. How far away are the holidays? Details here.

Pembroke Pines is Tops

In a new survey, Pembroke Pines is ranked as one of the best palces to raise your kids in 2009, according to BusinessWeek. The ranking based on school performance, crime rates, air quailty, parks theater and arts, as well as diversity. If I didn't live there already, I'd move! Read more about it here.

Pudgiest pets compete

We all love our pets. We pamper them and we feed them way too much and that's why many of them are severely obese. Britian is doing something about it. They're having a Pudgiest Pet Contest, with seven dogs and one cat, deemed the fatest of all. The one that loses the most gets a crown and a pet friendly holiday. I see TV show written all over this. Details here.

Unhappy? Turn off the TV.

If you're feeling unhappy, it could be your tv viewing. New research has found that unhappy people watch 30 percent more television. But it also found the longer those who watched TV, the more unhappy they became. So is it the TV or the viewer? More details here.

Fun Festivals

There's the Storybook Festival at the SW Regional Library in Pembroke Pines. Saturday, from 10-4. A parade of princesses, pirates and storybook characters is at 11 am. Your kids could be included. (954-538-9996)

There's the K-9 Winter Festival at CB Smith Park, Pembroke Pines, Saturday from 9-4. (954-437-2650)

Fairy Tea Party for your little ones at the Coconut Creek Center Saturday at 1 pm. (954-545-6670)

Toy buying? Remember safety!

If you have kids, you know it's never too early to start thinking about the Holidays. My kids already have their wish lists for Santa. Before you hit the stores to go searching for their must-have toys, please don't forget safety. Last year, 18 children under the age of 15 died in toy related accidents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here's a some safety tips from the Commission.

Don't panic: Paranoia is up

If you think they're out to get you, you're not alone. Study finds many of us have irrational fears that other people are trying to upset or annoy us. Some studies show at least 40 percent of us have had a least some paranoid thoughts. Not to worry, you don't need professional help unless your odd thoughts provoke real behavior. And some experts believe a little bit of paranoia could be helpful. It's beneficial to be on guard. Details here.

Want smarter kids?

Get them into music. Study finds kids who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform kids with no instrumental training on non musical tests of vocabulary and non verbal reasoning. So I guess those piano lessons really do paid off. Details here.

Oprah stuff

If you love Oprah, you'll love that you now can get some of the wares offered at the Oprah Store in Chicago online. She is even offering some of her own shoes and dresses. So you walk in her shoes, in a very small way. Check out her store here.

Weekend ideas

You can celebrate Bike Miami on Sunday, from 10 am to 3 pm. Bike Miami is sponsored by the City of Miami, and is a day for bicyclists, pedestrians and skaters to explore downtown Miami in a fun, safe and free way. It includes a free yoga class and bike safety workshops. A special rally with Mayor Manny Diaz is at 1 am on the corner of Biscayne Blvd. and Flagler Street.

You can "Rock for the Wetlands." It's a concert at "The Inner Circle" on the southwest corner of Royal Palm and University Drive, Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm. The concert is to save the wetlands along Atlantic Blvd. and Lyons Rd. in Coral Springs. A five dollar donation would be appreciated. There will be raffles and prizes.

Got a dirty car? Head to the Girl Scout Troop 1577 Car Wash Saturday at the Burger King, 14095 SW 88 Street, Miami, from 9 am til 1 pm and Sunday at the Checkers Drive-In at 2701 SW 42 Street from 9 am til 1 pm. Funds go to the scouts camping trip.

Love Barbie? Saturday between noon and 3, Barbie fans are invited to donate their old Barbie dolls at participating Walmart Stores. For every doll collected, Mattel will give a new one to a local children's hospital. As an added bonus, Barbie herself wil be at select stores. Details here.

Toy Hall of Fame inductee is...

A stick! The National Toy Hall of Fame inducted the universal plaything powered by a child's imagination: a stick. The stick joins the bicycle, kite and crayons. To get in, a toy must be widely recognized and foster learning, creativity and discovery through play. Next year could be a rock! Details here.

Metrozoo's Big Cats

Two of the most fearsome and dangerous cats in the world are now at Metrozoo. The jaguars arrived from Houston and Massachusettes and will have their own exhibit debut December 6th. They will have 27 acres to roam, with plenty of space between visitors and them. Details here.

White House Pets

You've heard by now that the Obama family will be moving into the White House with a new puppy. They join a long list of families who've had pets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Bush family shared their eight years at the White House with a cat, a springer spaniel and two Scottish terriers. The Clinton's had a cat and a chocolate lab. Going way back, Thomas Jefferson had two grizzly bears and John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator. That's a way to keep away your detractors!

Women have more germs

It's true. Research has found women have more germs on their hands than men do. Researchers were also surprised to find that there were more types of bacteria on the hands than they expected. Why do we have more germs? Researchers didn't have a reason. But I do.. As women, don't we wipe our kids noses more, clean more, cook more and get our hands dirty more, except for taking out the trash! Details here.

Alarming teen pregnancy link

Turn off the TV! Research has linked teenagers watching sexy tv shows with teen pregnancies. Study found those teens who watched the raciest tv shows with a lot of sexual dialogue and behavior were twice as likely to get pregnant than those watching tamer shows. Details here.

Bid on your favorite candidate

Instead of voting for your favorite candidate, you can bid on their doll on eBay. It's a doll of an idea. There are cabbage patch dolls resembling John McCain, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. You bid. We all win. Proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Details here.

Be scary and safe

If you're taking the kids out to trick or treat tomorrow for Halloween, please be safe. Remember the basics. Take a flashlight with you, don't let them run out into the street or across lawns, stick to the sidewalk. And don't go to houses that don't have any lights on. There are more safety tips here.

Working hard or hardly working?

If you're not working while you're on the job, you're among the many. A new survey finds nearly half of us spend two hours of our workday doing personal things. And the most popular time waster is socializing with co-workers. Least it's not shopping on line. Then we'd be wasting not only time but also money. Details here.

Wear red

If you're not feeling too attractive today, put on something red and watch the guys turn their heads! New research finds what we always knew: Red is the color of love. It's also the color of lust. Researchers found men always found the woman in red as the most attractive... even when it was the same woman wearing different colors.
Details here.

Internet altering brain?

Is surfing the internet altering your brain? Probably. Experts believe that internet searching and text messaging has made brains more adept at filtering information and makign snap decisions. Details here.

Watch your coffee drinking

Study finds if you drink more than three cups of coffee a day, it may shrink your breast size. Researchers also found the more coffee, the more shrinkage. If only all that coffee could shrink my thighs. Details here.

Weekend scary stuff

If you and your kids can't wait until Halloween, there's plenty of scary things to do before then:

Ghosts and Goblins Family Fun Night Saturday, Oct. 25th, 6-8 pm, at Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek. Games, costume contest, arts and crafts and storytime. Ages 2-10.

Davieween Happenings is Sunday, Oct. 26th, with a pumpkin patch, free halloween games that include play bowling for ghouls, feed the hungry pumpkin and more and a costume contest. 1-4 pm.

A Masquerade Dance is Saturday, Oct 25th at the Civic Center in Miramar, 6920 SW 35 Street. (954-704-1631)

Pumpkin Origami is at the Morikami Museum Saturday, from 11-4 in Delray Beach. (561-495-0233)

Pines Night Out

Bring the kids to a special Pembroke Pines Crimewatch Program at Walter C. Young Middle School tonight, (Friday), from 6 to 9 pm. There will be police and fire vehicles and safety demonstrations and free child ID kits as well as lots of free fun for the kids. Rock climbing, face painting, pony rides, bounce houses and more.
(954-436-3274)

Hell's Kitchen Auditions

Today's the day for you to grab your favorite spatula and skillet and head to the Hell's Kitchen auditions. They're going on from 10-3 at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Bayside Marketplace. You have to be at least 21 and over, and have the skills, stamina and competitiveness to go toe to toe with Chef Gordon Ramsay. Details here.

Birth order predicts career

Before you decide on a career, maybe you should consider your birth order. Experts say each birth position has a special role within families and the position leads to different patterns and personalities and jobs. Firstborns are ambitious, assertive and dominant and last borns were the least likely to report earning six figures. That explains so much to me... as a last born. Read more here.

Wolf down lunch?

Did you wolf down lunch and ate until you were full? Bad news. You're more than likely going to be overweight if you keep that up. Research finds those who gobble down their food and eat til they're full are three times more likely to become overweight. I used to eat real fast to try to sneak those calories past my stomach. Didn't work. Neither did eating while standing up. Weren't the calories supposed to go to your feet? :) Details here.

Don't skimp on sleep

If you don't have enough hours in the day to get it all done, don't skip your sleep. Let the laundry sit, or dishes pile up, because lack of sleep is connected to several critical health problems. Those who get less than five hours of sleep are more likely to get heart attacks. Also less sleep triggers hunger hormones, and is linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. I think a nap sounds good about now. More about sleep here.

Weekend fun

Love cats? Head to the Cat Show at War Memorial Auditorium in Ft. Lauderdale. Felines of all breeds on the cat walk. Cat adoptions available too. Saturday and Sunday, 800 NE 8 St. (954-828-5380)

Collect coins? Head to the Ft. Lauderdale Coin and Stamp Show with gold and silver collections being shown, sold and appraised. Sunday at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. (954-802-4967)

Enjoy outdoors at the Birthday Celebration for Biscayne National Park. Celebrating 40 years as the largest marine park in the Nation's Park System Sunday, with a free concert and hands on activities. 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead. (305-755-7848)

Enjoy The Jamies Rescue and Be Kind to Animals Free Concert Saturday night at the Hollywood Bandshell Stage and you'll help find homes and care for abandoned and neglected dogs. Starts at 6 pm. (954-622-7597)

Celebrate Halloween early with the kids at the City of Plantation's "Family Halloween And Safety Halloween" Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm. There will be a Haunted House, inflatable rides, a carnival and police and fire safety demonstrations and free candy and halloween bags. (954-797-2180)

Cell phone itchy?

Watch out for your cell phone.. you could get mobile phone dermatitis. British dermatologists have coined the term after reporting mobile phone users were coming up with an unexplained rash on their cheeks and ears by where they hold their phones. Dermatologists have determined they're allergic to the nickel surface on the phone. Might want to stop talking or go hands-free. Details here.

Gap kids casting call

Bring your cute little ones to GapKids and they could be in a new advertising campaign as the new face! There is a casting call Friday and Saturday at the GapKid stores in Dadeland, Aventura and Cocowalk. Details here.

Is your brain shrinking?

Yes. Your brain naturally shrinks like two percent each decade. But if you drink, it shrinks even more. Detais here. To combat the shrinkage, you could go surf the net. Research has found web searching keeps the brain from getting old. Details here.
This stuff too cerebral for me.

PB & J is good for you

We know it as a comfort food, now research has found the jam and jelly that goes with peanut butter is good for you too. Specifically, research has found that jam and jelly have pectin which blocks the progression of cancer. Details here.

One Republic gives back

One Republic offering an hour long songwriting lesson to budding musicians. They're offering it in an online auction to benefit City of Hope to raise money for cancer research. Details here.

Babies can discern music

Watch what kind of music you play for your kids. Study finds they can tell already if the songs are happy or sad, as early as five months old. Least at that age, they can't tell you to change the station! Details here.

Angry about the economy?

If you're angry about the economy, the slide on wallstreet, the motorist who cut you off, your boss, or anything else, you're invited to smash a few plates. A new company called "Sarah's Smash Shack," offers patrons time to smash dinnerware on the walls...to relieve pent-up issues. Great idea, too bad the company is in San Diego. We need one in Miami. Details here.

Is your car angry?

It's common to see people's faces in many things, from clouds to cars. And now a new study finds we prefer cars with an angry people faces. Not sure why. Maybe to scare all the other people-faced cars away. Details here.

Stress trickles down to kids

If you're stressing over money (like who isn't these days), your kids are probably feeling it. Experts say you should probably share what's going on with your little ones. So they can understand some of the problems, not necessarily all of them. You may not want to say we're going to lose our home, but you may want to say money is tight and we can't afford to buy you a hamster right now. Other tips here.

Lying about your age?

If you're 39 and holding, you may shy away from looking in the mirror. But you also may want to shy away from the computer. Computer scientists have developed a software program that can estimate age based solely on someone's facial appearance. It could be used for all kinds of things-from verifying age before drinking, driving, or dating your daughter! Details here.

No hedgehogs for kids

A warning out from the American Academy of Pediatrics that will have many parents breathing easier. At least moms. Young children should not keep hedgehogs, hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles as pets, because of the risks for diseases and the sometimes deadly germs they carry. The warning is for kids 5 and younger. I was hoping for like 18 and under. More here.

Calories overload brain

You know how your computer gets overloaded and then works sluggish or not at all. Your brain also gets tapped out when you overload it with calories. Researchers have found that when you over-eat, your brain goes haywire and sends out cells to attack invaders that aren't there. Could explain diseases associated with obesity, as well as our bad food choices... you know after a really big meal, we're stuffed and we still order dessert. More here.

Concerns about makeup

If you use makeup daily and your teenager wants to, this may make you think twice: Studies have found that some makeup contains harmful chemicals that are linked to health risks such as cancer. And a study of teens found their bodies contained some of these harmful chemicals. What is the price of beauty these days? You can read more about it here.

Voting warning

Before you head to the polls come Election Day, you should know that traffic accidents typically increase during voting hours. Researchers studied traffic accidents on election days for the past 30 years and found an 18 percent increased risk of death. Researchers blame people rushing to get to the polls, driving unfamiliar routes and being distracted. My suggestion: Plan ahead. Take a practice run to the poll and don't let anybody distract you. Read more about it here.

Good day to eat veggies

Today is a good day to eat all your veggies and then some. It's World Vegetarian Day, a day to celebrate the benefits of eating a meat free diet. It can help reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, and help save animals from suffering and even help the environment. Details here.

Man saves dog from shark

Talk about brave. A dog owner risked his own life to save his dog. He was swimming off the keys with his little rat terrier, when a shark swam up and took a bite of the dog and tried to swim away. Greg LeNoir punched the shark and managed to get the little dog away and saved his life. Now that's a faithful companion! Read more about it here.

Fat dolphins need diet

Hard to believe but dolphins at a Japanese marine park are going on a diet, because they gained too much weight eating mackerel. Turns out the mackerel was very fatty. And the dolphins weren't making their jumps. I can see it now. Dolphins by the side of the pool trying to snag a bag of chips from visitors to the park. Read more about it here.

Frugality has limits

It may be a tough economy, but women are not going to scrimp on everything. We do have priorities. Survey of women finds we will look to save on medications, milk and eggs, but when it comes to food for our dogs, or cosmetics for us or toilet paper, we refuse to go bargain. Absolutely! We have to look and feel our best and our dogs too. Read more about it here.

Tempting foods help diet

Hard to believe, but research finds being tempted is a good thing for diets. Researchers say having tempting treats around helps us with our self control strategies and build will-power. Sure, if you can ignore that chocolate cookie calling your name at home, you can do the same when you're at a party or anywhere else. You can read more about it here.

Public Lands Day!

Saturday is National Public Lands Day. A day to enjoy our National Parks as well as help keep them nice. There are clean-up efforts all over the country on this day. 1500 sites. To find out where you can help, go here.

Kids auditions this weekend

If your kids can sing and dance and have 11 friends, take them to the Wizard of Oz group auditions Saturday at the Adrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Arts. Auditions for children ages 8-13 who are under five feet ten inches tall. They're playing munchkins. Details here.

If your kids prefer flying, then take them to the "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" auditions Sunday at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Doors open at 9:45. Auditions begin at 10. 201 SW 5th. Avenue. Details here.

Women Rule!

This just in.... Women rule the roost. Study finds women make most decisions at home and guys are okay with that. From household finances to what to do this weekend to tv watching, women make the decisions most of the time. I can guess the times when women let men decide.. when they're holding the remote. Read more about it here.

Palin Pink or Obama Berry?

Which lipstick do you prefer: Palin Pink or Obama Berry? A South Florida company is launching the two lipstick shades in October to cash in on the "lipstick" controversy of a few weeks back. Remember lipstick on a pig and lipstick on a pitbull? When you buy these political shades, you'll help a good cause. Part of the proceeds go to domestic abuse victims. Read more about it here.

Get a phone call from Ellen

Want to get a phone call from Ellen DeGeneres? You can sign up now at the One-A-Day Vitamins website. She's partnered with them to remind people to get checked for breast cancer and live healthier. She is behind the effort, since her mom is a breast cancer survivor.

Are you a noisy neighbor?

Topping the list of biggest neighbor annoyances: Noise. Nearly a third of those polled said noise is what bugged them most about their neighbors. Also those with kids and pets are considered nuisances, and those who talk about Dick Cheney too much. You can read more about the list here.

Power suits give clean image

Forget the dry cleaners. Now you can wash your suit in the shower. It's called the Shower-power suit. After you're done washing yourself, you wash your suit in the shower for three to four minutes with warm water and then let it drip dry. No ironing need. The suit is so popular in Japan and Australia, they're now designing ladies suit with the same shower power technology. Read more about it here.

Take kids out

This is "Take A Child Outside" Week. It's an effort which began in North Carolina with beautiful mountains and bubbling streams, but it's catching on all over that we need to get our kids away from tv and video games to enjoy the outdoors and maybe get a little exercise and lose weight. You can read more about it here.

Veggies bad for brains?

Research finds you can have too much of a good thing and that those eating an all vegetable diet can suffer the effects, such as brain shrinkage. Veggie diets can lack Vitamin B12 which is needed for good brain function apparently. Also contributing to brain shrinkage, consuming 14 alcoholic drinks or more a week and being overweight. So maybe we shouldn't eat all our veggies, Mom. What do you think of that? Read more about it here.

Yawning goes to the dogs

You yawn. Your friends yawn. Their friends yawn and so on and so on. And now research finds you yawn... your dog yawns too. The only animal so far (other than primates) that can catch contagious yawning. What about cats? They're really good at stretching, so maybe yawning too? Read more about the yawning story here.

Video gamers are everywhere

97 percent of young Americans, including girls, play video games. New survey finds most play to socialize with friends. And most play at least five different games. Diversification is so important! And a third of those who play are parents. Read more about it here.

Wanna be lizard skinny?

You've heard of the Gila monster, a rare poisonous lizard? Well, doctors have been using the lizards' spit to help diabetics stabilize their blood sugar. Now they've discovered the drug (from lizard's spit) also helps them lose weight. And they're going to do more studies. I can see it now. Women wrestling with lizards in their backyards trying to get spit from 'em. Read more about it here.

Car sick?

If you're feeling car sick? It may not be you. It may be your car. Studies find on average there are 283 different types of bacteria present in every square inch of your automobile, more if you have pets and kids and eat in the car. I think I need a hazmet suit before I drive home. Read more about it here.

Dieting? Say cheese

Say cheese to your cheese and it just might help you make better food choices. Study finds those who took pictures of their food made better food choices than those who just wrote down what they ate. You can read more about it here. So I guess a picture is worth more than a thousand words, could be worth a thousand calories?

Kids and germs

This just in.. kids are germ factories. We know kids can spread flu like wildfire. Now studies found that flu like symptoms struck first and worst in the zip codes that were home to the most kids. So if you live in a neighborhood filled with kids, you might consider the flu vaccine.

Flu shot season begins this month and for the first time, vaccinations are being recommended for all children, not just those under 5.

You can read more about it here. And then go wash your hands. That's where I'm going.
Never hurts to practice germ prevention.

Cabbage Kids Return

Get ready for September 20th. It's the anniversary of the Cabbage Patch Kids. And they'll be re-released as replicas from the 1983 originals. So beloved by so many, there are celebrations planned at BabyLand General Hospital. Read more about it here.

Fight the fat gene

You've heard of the fat gene right, the common genetic variation that makes people more likely to gain weight. Researchers say we can fight the fat gene and beat it. Well, if you have a few extra hours each day. They say with three to four hours of being active each day, we can block the gene. Who has three to four hours? Read more about it here.

Help storm victims

We were spared from Ike. Why not help others. You can donate non-perishable foods to the Food for the Poor. They're having a food drive this week at their offices at 6401Lyons Road in Coconut Creek. If you don't have time to drop food off, you can always give what you can to their organization by visiting here. They've provided 30 shipping containers of relief supplies and food so far.

Responsible dogs

If your dog is a bit of a handfull, have you ever thought of training? This might be the month to do it. Bark Busters is offering free dog safety workshops. It's in conjunction with the American Kennel Club's Responsible Dog Ownership Days, with events held all this month. If you'd like to know more, you can email SouthBroward@Barkbusters.com. Good luck.

Disasters getting worse?

With more deadly Hurricanes like Gustav and Ike, and earthquakes in China, we may feel like disasters are getting worse. But if you take a look at the history of disasters and the recent population growth, it may be more about geography than catastrophy. An article shows that many of us are living now in harm's way, living in high rises along coast lines and more. Read it for yourself.

Thinking hard=weight gain

Why is our society getting so big? Researchers think it may be because we think too hard. They have found in studies that when people exercise their brain with intellectual activities, they eat more. And since many of us have become more sedentary, we're obviously doing something. We're thinking and eating and not exercising. You can read more about it here. I think therefore I am.. overweight?

DVR's save more than shows

You love your tv shows. So you probably have a DVR (digital video recorder) to record them all. Now research finds DVR owners say the technology doesn't just save their shows, it saves their relationships. You can't put your argument on hold, but you can put your show in pause. Read more about it here.

A sparkly way to remember

You want to remember your loved ones once they've departed in a special way. Forget the cemetery, head to Switzerland and make a diamond. A company in Switzerland makes diamonds out of the ashes of the dearly departed. They do say diamonds are forever. Read more about it here.

Internet access anxiety

If you feel stressed or anxious when you can't access the internet, you're not alone. It's becoming so commonplace, there is now a term for it. It's called "discomgoogolation." I imagine because "google" has to do with everything these days. Read more about it here.

Stressed moms=heavy kids

If you're stressed out over finances, work loads and more, your kids are more than likely stressed too and overeating as a result. Research finds many stressed moms have overweight kids. The kids seek out comfort foods much like moms. Better hide the twinkies. Details here.

Is your kid gifted?

Is your kid really gifted? Probably not. We all get excited when we hear "your child is going into the gifted program" at school, but estimates find only two to five percent of kids are really gifted. Of those only one in 100 is highly gifted and one in a million a prodigy. And if you think getting an early start will make your child gifted, think again. Most educators believe kids don't benefit from academically oriented preschools.
So if you want to help your child, just let them experiement, express creativity and work through feelings through play. Read more about it here.

Dogs and cats save lives

Your dog is your best friend, but he also could be your lifesaver. Canines have a keen sense of smell and intuition that can help them detect people's diseases. In one instance, a dog in Rhode Island, detected her owner's bad leg and kept jumping at the owner until she noticed it was red from the knee to the foot. Turns out she had sepsis and was hospitalized for a week. Cats too are life savers. A gray cat in South Dakota regularly wakes up her elderly owner when her blood sugar dips too low and she needs insulin. Read more about it here. And I get excited when my cat plays fetch and my dog listens. Go figure.

Mutts get new status

Move over pedigreed pooches, mutts are getting respect. There's a new Mutt-i-gree Club for owners and their mixed breeds to raise awareness and respect. Three million dogs get euthanized in shelters each year, most of them mixed breeds. Hopefully with the new-found respect, more mutts will be adopted. Read more about it here.

We're all a bit touched

We all know we live in a crazy messed up world. Now researchers say in order to survive, we are all crazy and messed up too. And we can blame natural selection for our mental health issues. Read more about it here.

Small packages trick dieters

Beware of cookies, candies and chips in small packages. They are not diet food. Research has found many chronic dieters look at those 100 calorie packs and see them as diet food alternatives and eat more of them, instead of less. And food makers package less food and charge more. Big profits, big waistlines. Yikes. Details here.

Ask a cow for directions

The next time you're lost, you might want to ask a cow for directions, or just look at which way the bovine is pointing. Researchers have found grazzing cattle and sleeping deer align their bodies to the Earth's magnetic field, because they have an innate magnetic compass. They tend to point to North or South. Researchers also believe humans and whales have an innate magnetic compass too. We all have animal magnetism! Details here.

Cafeteria trays retiring

Your college kids may have to learn how to juggle plates like a waitress or learn to eat less. Many higher institutions are doing away with cafeteria trays in an effort to go green and save money. Read more about it here.

Pot-bellied pig up for adoption

A family who lost their home to foreclosure had to give up their beloved pot-bellied pig and now Moogy is up for adoption. The three year old black Vietnamese porker is house-broken! The SPCA Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale says adoption fee is just 50 bucks. Details here.

List of Top Colleges

Harvard University is tops. The U.S. News and World Report is out with its list of top colleges according to SAT scores, peer reputation, selectivity and alumni giving. Top five are Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT and Stanford. Harvard is quick to note that students should still choose the school that fits their needs and not by ranking. Details here.

Riskiest sport for your daughter

So what is the riskiest sport for your daughter at school? Not gymnastics, although that comes in second. Not basketball or baseball. No. It's Cheerleading. Cheerleading accounts for 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries in high school girls' athletics and 67 percent in colleges. Researchers say part of the huge amount of injuries is the increasing number of girls wanting to be cheerleaders, the other part is cheerleading is becoming more acrobatic. Read more about it here.

Don't get angry at work

If you get angry at work, don't show it. Study finds anger in the office hurts women more. Women who show anger are seen as less competent, men aren't. Experts say don't get angry, be direct and assertive about whatever is angering you, whether it's a broken computer or copier, and then blow off steam later when no one is within hearing distance. Could explain why you see people yelling in cars as they drive all by themselves. Read more about it here.

Cutest Pet Contest

We all know we have the cutest pet at home. Now we can prove it. The Florida State Chapter of Dog & Cat Lovers of America and the CutestPetContest.com partnering up for this year's competition to find the cutest pet. Winners get their photos on the cover of a new book "America's Top Pets," and $1,000.00 cash. All the details are here. Good luck.

Women career blame

Is your head hitting the glass ceiling at work? Experts say career women are to blame. Sure we didn't create the glass ceiling, but some believe career women help maintain it. In that we don't do enough to break it. We think hard work alone will help us get promoted to the top, but it's more than that. It's networking and more.
Read more about it here.

Help kids grades

You want to help your kids do better at school. Research finds the answer is easy: Get them moving. Exercising their bodies helps burn off energy and exercise their brains. Read more about it here.

Nine lives, four ears

We all know cats have nine lives, but I've never heard of a cat with four ears. You have to check out this photo. The cat lives a relatively normal life in Chicago, but his owners fearing for his safety keep him indoors. Someone might want to cat-nap him because he is so unusual.

A place for dogs

Move over "Facebook" and "Myspace." There's now "Doggyspace." A place for your dog. A website for owners to show off their puppy love. It's adorable. Check out the puppy and duck who are fast friends. Click here.

Want smarts? Exercise!

People who exercise regularly have better bodies and apparently better brains too. A review of studies found exercisers learn faster, remember more, think clearer and bounce back after injury more easily. So Beijing must be a very smart city, at least for the two weeks.. you know the Olympics. Read more about it here.

An alarming trend about fat

If Americans keep eating the way they do, we'll all be fat by 2048. Researchers based their projections on how many of us became overweight in the last 30 years, and projected what will happen in the next 40 years. The good news is we'll finally see pudgy models and celebrities. The bad news healthcare costs will soar with medical problems associated with obesity. Read more here.

Super-mom shine dims

Super-mom. Many of us are struggling to do it all: Work full-time, take care of the house and the kids. But studies find our family life is suffering as a result. In fact, ten years ago, studies found that most thought that having a "Super-Mom" wouldn't affect family life. But now, studies find most believe family life is suffering. But in many cases, families cannot afford to have only one wage earner.
Read more about it here.

Need sleep? Read this.

If you always feel like you need a nap, you're not alone. Many of us do. But studies find many of us are our own worst enemy. We do things to cause our lack of shut eye, from drinking too much coffee and alcohol, to eating spicy food and taking medication that interferes with our sleep. One thing I read says as we age, we need less sleep. Let me know when that is, because I still always feel like I need nap.
You can read more about sleep here.

Job hunting advice

We've all heard be professional, wear a business suit, and show how you can be a team player when you're looking for a job. But sometimes, if you want to stand out from that crowd, you can do some wacky things and still get hired. One candidate sent a pair of baby shoes with the note "Let me get my foot in the door," another candidate wore a sandwich board at a busy intersection. Read more success stories here.

Overdue book amnesty

Got a book or two, or video, or any other materials, that you checked out from the library, but failed to return. This is your month. Miami Dade Public Libraries is offering amnesty to all patrons for their overdue materials. You have until the end of September to return the materials. After that, those accounts with outstanding fees will be turned over to a debt collection agency.