“It’s a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
            - W. Somerset Maugham

“As you journey through life take a minute every now and then to give a thought for the other fellow. He could be plotting something.”
            - Hagar the Horrible (Comic Strip Character)

A Caution On Flavored Water

They look good, taste good and are hydrating. But some have almost as many calories as a bottle of regular soda. And the sugar and fructose corn syrup sweeteners are absorbed differently.

Purdue University reports that when two groups were fed the same number of calories from jelly beans or drinks, the candy group compensated by eating less, but the soda group gained weight.

Don't depend on flavored waters that are fortified with vitamins, herbs, minerals and caffeine. Some have no studies backing up their claims. Others may take you over the recommended daily allowance when combined with food and a daily supplement.

If you must have water in a bottle, plain water is good enough on its own.

 

Do Everything Better Mall

Tax-Rebate Scams

When you are expecting a tax rebate from the government's economic stimulus plan, criminals may be eager to take it away from you with email scams. They ask you to click on a fake IRS link and give your Social Security number and banking information. Remember, the IRS is not sending emails about refunds. Access the IRS Website only through www.irs.gov, not by clicking on an attachment in any email. Other criminals call on the telephone. They say your money will come sooner if you give them your banking information so the money can be sent by direct deposit. The IRS never does this.

 

Flip Flops and Escalators

It's summer, time for flip-flops and those plastic shoes called Crocs. But here's a thought. Whether it's you wearing them or your child, either of you could get caught on an escalator. Loose-fitting shoes made of flexible, spongy material can get caught in the escalator teeth. A spokesman for the Washington, D.C., subway system, which has 588 escalators, says they are seeing five or six incidents of shoe entrapment a week during summer. Most related injuries are minor, but toes could be amputated. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute says shoes should be of a type that stays securely in place and completely encloses the foot. Leather is a good choice but so are sneakers as long as the laces are tied.