Doctors warn: Christmas is happiest but deadliest time of the year

MANILA - More people suffer from heart attack and stroke during the Christmas season, and sufferers are more likely to die during this period than at any other time of year. The phenomenon is called Merry Christmas Coronary, Happy New Year Heart Attack.

This was the warning issued by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Foundation as the holidays brings more traffic, overcrowding, and stress.

“Cold weather is not the only cause of the spiking of cardiovascular cases. Study after study shows the culprits to be holiday stress, pollution, and most of all, food and alcohol binging. Eating and drinking sprees send them to emergency rooms for palpitations and light-headedness - symptoms of ‘holiday heart,’” said Dr. Anthony Leachon, President of PCP Foundation.

“For lucky ones the abnormal heart rhythm, usually atrial fibrillation, fixes itself within 24 hours. But others would require admission for monitoring and in extreme cases, electric shock to normalize heart rates. It’s certainly not a fun way to spend the holidays,” he added.

Deadliest days

A 26-year (1973-2001) charting of 53 million deaths in the US reveals a 5-percent jump in natural-cause demise during the holidays.

Christmas Day was the deadliest, followed by December 26, then January 1, according to the study.

Research by sociologist Dr. David Phillips also noted increases in hospital admissions for cardiac and non-cardiac causes. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association in December 2004, Phillips study excludes suicides, homicides, and accidents.

Could many of the deaths have been caused by lack of specialist attention, as doctors are on holiday too? No, according to a study of 127,959 patients hospitalized for heart attack in 1994-1996 by cardiologist James Jollis at Duke University.

Treatment was basically the same for all patients during the holidays and off-season. Still, according to Jollis, the 30-day mortality of patients in December is higher, with over-indulgence singled out as the culprit.

Cardiologist Robert Kloner’s 1999 report further discounted mere cold weather and pointed to the “holiday effect.”

Focusing on hospitals in Los Angeles, where winters are milder, he noted that change of diet rather than temperature leads to more heart attacks and strokes.

Merrymakers of all ages tend to eat fatty stuff, with adults drinking more alcohol in parties. Pollutants from wood-burning fireplaces further trigger cardiovascular irregularities.

All three studies by Phillips, Jollis, and Kloner exhibit annual 5-percent rises in heart attacks and strokes -- and deaths – during Christmas.

But the situation in the Philippines seems to be worse.

Leachon, who is a cardiologist in the Manila Doctors Hospital, recalled a 2004-2008 survey of Metro Manila hospitals to show a tripling of emergencies and admissions in Christmastime.

Patients were taken in for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes due to overeating and overdrinking.

Usually about 30-50 cases occur from January to November. But this rose to 153 in December 2004, 163 in 2005, 172 in 2006, 170 in 2007, and 170 in 2008.

Half of the holiday patients died.

So for the coming holidays, Leachon gave these health tips to remind the people on how to prevent life-threatening medical condition:

    Stop smoking.
    Eat low-fat low-salt diet. Stick to healthy habits and help your family too.
    Exercise daily for 30 minutes.
    Observe moderate alcohol drinking.
    Don’t skip regular appointments with the doctor.
    Have enough of your usual medications to allow for holiday business or pharmacy breaks and travel.
    Check out the medical facilities where you will be traveling; ask your physician who you could see if you 
    need a doctor away from home.
    If you have symptoms, don’t ignore them.

source: interaksyon.com

Boracay named top 'hookie' destination for Chrismas

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from the clear waters and white sand that Boracay has to offer, the island is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, which is why travel dating site MissTravel.com has ranked it as the top destination for people who want to skip family gatherings during the holidays.

A recent study showed that many youngsters are opting for romantic getaways, rather than dealing with the stress and anxiety brought on by the awkward family encounters during Christmas season.

“Family get togethers can be a source of anxiety for many people, especially those who have a hard time answering questions about their personal lives,” said Brandon Wade, founder and
CEO of MissTravel.com.

According to a recent poll conducted by the Las Vegas-based site, out of the 6,036 trips planned by its users between December 20 and 27, most are going to Boracay.

Top December Hookie Destinations (6,036 Trips Planned Between December 20 and 27)

1. Boracay Island, Philippines ­ 689
2. New York, NY ­ 488
3. Las Vegas, NV ­ 187


"The Philippines is famous for its festive celebration of Christmas, making Boracay Island a traveler favorite," the website said.

Boracay has consistently been part of the list of the best beaches in the world. Early this year, it has been declared as the "Favorite Beach Destination 2015" by the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents for its annual MATTA Fair. Moreover, TripAdvisor listed Boracay as seventh best beach in the world for 2015.

source: philstar.com

Protesters gather at America's biggest shopping mall

WASHINGTON DC - Hundreds of demonstrators filed into America's largest shopping mall Saturday as part of an ongoing wave of protests against racially charged police violence, interrupting one of the holidays' busiest shopping days.

Protesters gathered at the Mall of America, in Bloomington in the Midwestern state of Minnesota, and held up signs with slogans such as "Black Lives Matter," which has become a rallying cry for nationwide demonstrations against police.

Photos posted on Twitter showed dozens of demonstrators -- including several shopkeepers -- placing their hands in the air. The gesture is a tribute to Michael Brown, a black teen killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Some witnesses claim Brown had his hands in the air when he was shot on August 9. His death and the subsequent grand jury decision not to charge the officer involved touched off weeks of nationwide protests over what demonstrators say is the police's disproportionate use of deadly force against African Americans.

According to the Mall of America protest's Facebook page, more than 3,000 people said they would attend the demonstration. Photos posted on social media showed throngs of people gathered across several levels of the sprawling shopping center, with more outside.

Police and mall security were quick to respond, but there were no immediate reports of arrests, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper.

Several protesters tweeted an image of a mall information screen warning people they faced arrest.

"This demonstration is in clear violation of mall of America policy," the warning read. "Those who continue to demonstrate are subject to arrest."

Most protesters appeared to have dispersed by mid-afternoon.

The grand jury decision last month not to indict police officer Darren Wilson over Brown's death was followed by a similar grand jury verdict that declined to charge another white policeman in the "chokehold" death in Staten Island of Eric Garner, a black father of six.

These and other deaths, including that of 12-year-old Tamir Rice -- shot dead by Cleveland police as he brandished a toy gun -- have unleashed simmering resentment of police tactics in the United States and highlighted uneasy relations between black men and law enforcement officials.

The Mall of America sees some 40 million visitors annually and is an important tourist draw for Minnesota, according to the mall's website.

It would take a shopper 86 hours to visit all the shops in the mall if they spent 10 minutes in each shop.

source: interaksyon.com

Pretty pleats

What’s next to wear? Break into the in-between season in refreshing up-to-date fashion. Design and pattern come to play as pleats unfold the current style setting. As we transition into the “ber” months, global fashion gives a preview of the most important trends to come for the holidays. Fusing all these trends into one, the current presence of pleating has transcended into a wide range of must-have looks for the coming season.

From the trendy neo-gothic to oriental and nouveau punk to classic glam, pleats are echoing these statements and definitely are seamlessly pleased to stay. Adding touches to a simple piece, modern incantations present pieces with accent detailing as seen on a variety of embroidery and lace. Aside from the usual display of autumn colors, on the upfront is the resurgence of candy tones that will be top on the style meter and into this season’s wardrobes.

In the Philippines, local trendsetting brand Kikay is taking the spotlight on pleats. The fashion-forward name keeps ahead of the game in Manila’s retail landscape as it presents a wide range of dresses, skirts and tops, which are all on the radar. Definitely a current must-buy this season, this is one trend you wouldn’t want to miss.

source: philstar.com

A heart-healthy New Year’s resolution

It is so sad to lose a loved one in the midst of the Christmas season’s revelry when everyone seems to be caught up in the merriment of the holidays.

I was in two wakes a few days after Christmas to condole with the families of two close friends.  Heart attack was the cause of their deaths and both victims were in their 70s, considered fairly young in this era of advance medical cardiovascular research and heart-healthy food and supplements that are heralded in the market, health magazines, and heart-related articles on the Internet.

In one of the wakes, I saw a friend whom I have not seen for a year and was pleasantly surprised to see him trim, slim, and looking physically fit. He explained that he had to change his diet and go on a physical regimen after a physical checkup that showed some of his arteries clogged and his cholesterol level hitting 350 (limit is 215, according to his doctor). It was a wake-up call for him and, after undergoing an angioplasty, he was determined to do a complete nutritional makeover. He no longer eats pork or red meat.  He is into fish and vegetables for the most part and, most importantly, he got himself involved in biking and hiking for his cardiovascular regimen.

After all the rich food that we ingested during the holiday season, it is time to go back to the basics and eat heart-healthy food.  According to the 2013 Diet Review on WebMD, here are some of the foods that will make our hearts healthier and make us shed unwanted pounds:  These powerhouses form a global approach to heart-wise eating. 




• Fresh herbs. Fresh herbs make many other foods heart-healthy when they replace salt, sugar, and trans fats.  Fact: Rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme contain antioxidants.

• Black beans. Mild, tender black beans are packed with heart-healthy nutrients, including folate, antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber which helps control both cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Tips: Canned black beans are quick additions to soups and salads. Rinse to remove extra sodium.

• Red wine and resveratrol. If you drink alcohol, a little red wine may be a heart-healthy choice. Resveratrol and catechins, two antioxidants in red wine, may protect artery walls. Alcohol can also boost HDL, the good cholesterol.

Tips: Don’t exceed one drink a day for women; one to two drinks for men — but talk to your doctor first. Alcohol may cause problems for people taking aspirin and other medications. Too much alcohol actually hurts the heart.

• Salmon. A top food for heart health, salmon is rich in the omega-3s EPA and DH. Omega-3s may lower risk of rhythm disorders and reduce blood pressure. Salmon also lowers triglycerides and reduces inflammation. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of salmon or other oily fish a week.

• Tuna. Tuna is a good source of heart-healthy omega-3s. It generally costs less than salmon. Albacore (white tuna) contains more omega-3s than other tuna varieties. Reel in these other sources of omega-3s, too: mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, and anchovies.

• Extra virgin olive oil. This oil, made from the first press of olives, is especially rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. When olive oil replaces saturated fat (like butter), it can help lower cholesterol levels.
Tip: Use for salads, in cooked veggies, with bread.

• Walnuts. A small handful of walnuts (1.5 ounces) a day may lower your cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the arteries of the heart. Walnuts are packed with omega-3s, monounsaturated fats, and fiber. The benefits especially come when walnuts replace bad fats, like those in chips and cookies and you don’t increase your calorie count.

Tip: A handful has nearly 300 calories. Walnut oil has omega-3s, too; use in salad dressings.

• Almonds. Slivered almonds go well with vegetables, fish, chicken, even desserts, and just a handful adds a good measure of heart health to your meals. They’re chock full of plant sterols, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Almonds may help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes.

• Tofu. Make soy protein the main attraction more often at dinner time by cooking with tofu instead of red meat. You gain all the heart-healthy minerals, fiber, and polyunsaturated fats of soy — and you avoid a load of artery-clogging saturated fat.

• Sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a hearty, healthy substitute for white potatoes for people concerned about diabetes. With a low glycemic index, these spuds won’t cause a quick spike in blood sugar. Ample fiber, vitamin A, and lycopene add to their heart-healthy profile.
 
Tip: Enhance their natural sweetness with cinnamon and lime juice, instead of sugary toppings.

• Oranges. This sweet, juicy fruit contains the cholesterol-fighting fiber pectin as well as potassium, which helps control blood pressure. A small study shows that OJ may improve blood vessel function and modestly lower blood pressure through the antioxidant hesperidin.

Tip: A medium orange has 62 calories, with three grams of fiber.

• Carrots. The latest research on carrots shows these sweet crunchy veggies may help control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes. They’re also a top cholesterol-fighting food, thanks to ample amounts of soluble fiber — the kind found in oats.

Tip: Add shredded carrots to spaghetti sauce and muffin batter.

• Oatmeal. Oats in all forms can help your heart by lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol. A warm bowl of oatmeal fills you up for hours, fights snack attacks, and helps keep blood sugar levels stable over time, making it good for people with diabetes, too.

Tip: Swap oats for one-third of the flour in pancakes, muffins, and baked goods. Use oats instead of breadcrumbs in cooking.

• Low-fat yogurt. While low-fat dairy is most often touted for bone health, these foods can help control high blood pressure, too. Milk is high in calcium and potassium, and yogurt has twice as much of these important minerals. To really boost the calcium and minimize the fat, choose low-fat or non-fat varieties.

• Coffee. Coffee and tea may help protect your heart by warding off type 2 diabetes.  Studies show that people who drink coffee three to four times a day may cut their risk by 25 percent — and even decaffeinated coffee works. Caution is due, however, for those who already have diabetes or hypertension: Caffeine can complicate these conditions.

• Cherries. Cherries are packed with anthocyanins, an antioxidant believed to help protect blood vessels. Cherries in any form provide these heart-healthy nutrients:  the larger heart-shaped sweet cherries, the sour cherries for baking, as well as dried cherries and cherry juice.

• Blueberries. The list of healthy nutrients in blueberries is extensive: Anthocyanins give them their deep blue color and support heart health. Blueberries also contain ellagic acid, beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

source: philstar.com

Gaudy Christmas sweaters make a comeback

Retailers including boutique chain Kitson, based in Los Angeles, said ugly Christmas sweaters have made a comeback as ironic duds for younger generations.

Fraser Ross, owner of Kitson, said ugly Christmas sweater parties are filling the holiday void once occupied by tree trimming parties, as people in their 20s and 30s embrace the garishly decorated garments as humorous ways to celebrate the season, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

"It's the new theme for hostesses who are trying to bring the mostest to holiday parties," he said. "It's like having a Halloween party during Christmas."

Evan Mendelsohn, co-founder of San Diego clothing brand Tipsy Elves, said ugly Christmas sweaters -- including playful depictions of conga-dancing reindeer, and Santa spelling "Merry Christmas" in the snow with his urine -- are proving to be holiday bestsellers.

"The majority of people buying are in their 20s or 30s who are sort of making light of what can be a serious holiday. It gives them an excuse to wear something funny," Mendelsohn said. "It's not going to die like a normal fashion trend."

Carin Agiman, owner of Berkeley, Calif., clothing label GeltFiend, said he launched a line of Hanukkah equivalents for the ugly Christmas sweaters to let Jewish revelers get in on the fun.

His brand includes a sweater picturing Hasidic snowmen and a dreidel cardigan.

"I have a lot of non-Jewish friends, so I get invited to a lot of ugly Christmas sweater parties," Agiman said. "There's been a lot of pent-up Jewish angst over not having some equivalent ugliness."

source: upi.com

How to Determine How Much to Give

 Dear Dave,

We’re debt-free except for our house, and that’s on a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage. We also have an emergency fund in place. We’d like to give back this year, and do some Secret Santa things and a little extra giving. At what point should we start giving over and above what we tithe?

-Jeremy




Dear Jeremy,

My advice would be to wait until you finish Baby Step 3, which it sounds like you’ve done. That way, you’ve paid off all of your debt, except the house, plus you have a fully-funded emergency fund of three to six months of expenses.

You mentioned tithing, so I’ll cite the Scripture that says he who doesn’t take care of his family is worse than an unbeliever. I’m paraphrasing, of course, but in my mind, from a financial point of view, taking care of your family means having your emergency fund in place and being out of debt, except for your house. At that stage, you’re beginning to build wealth and you can really help others while knowing those closest to you aren’t going without.

My wife and I made the decision a long time ago to live on a certain amount of money. We apply a formula to everything above that figure for tithing and taxes. The rest we allocate for giving, saving and spending. It works great for us, but be responsible and realistic with what you have. You don’t want one of those areas to hinder the others.

-Dave

Dear Dave,

Do you have any advice for deciding which charities to give money to during the holidays?

-Danny

Dear Danny,

There are so many great organizations out there. It’s virtually impossible to pick three or four and say with any certainty they’re the best.

When it comes to choosing, I think the amount of diligence you put into the decision-making process should correspond directly to the amount of money you’re giving. There’s no reason to spend hours in exhaustive study over a $20 donation. However, you’d want to put some time and thought into research if the amount is $2,000.

In situations like this, I’d want to see full disclosure. I’d like to know the expense ratios of the organization and how much money goes toward administrative costs. Every organization has bills to pay and salaries to consider, but you don’t want overhead to eat up 90 percent of every dollar donated.

Helping a good cause is wonderful, but you’ve got to be reasonable and wise about these things. Don’t feel bad about asking to visit a site and take a tour. Lots of times you can get a feel for what’s going on by just walking around and gauging the people you encounter. Regardless, the bigger the gift, the more time you should spend investigating!

—Dave

source: foxbusiness.com

Enjoy Christmas

Christmas! What is there to say that I have not said? This will be my 68th Christmas. All the spirit, joy, sorrow, shopping, fun, rituals, kisses, bites, everything that a person must go through, I have gone through. What is there to say about this Christmas that will make it different from years past?

I am not really ready for this season. Instead I’ve been working on getting jewelry done for delivery and am not sure I will finish but — so what? Nobody will die. My Christmas presents, such as they are, are piled on my dining room table, which, at any rate, is too long for the single person who eats there every day at least twice. So one end is reserved for my eating space. The rest is clutter space. And that space is full.

I don’t even have a Christmas list, very inefficient of me. But I don’t have the spirit and even that doesn’t bother me. I know I will get things together. If we live through today, I will have time to get the gifts done and delivered maybe on time for Christmas or maybe the day after Christmas. So what if I’m late? I can deliver gifts until the feast of the Epiphany, which is the Sunday after New Year, which strangely next year is January 6, as it was traditionally.

When I was small the feast of the Three Kings was one I really looked forward to. My mother would tell me to take three pairs of my favorite shoes and put them on the window sill. I would shine them to make sure they were clean and pretty. In the morning I would wake up delighted to find them filled with candy, plastic balloon, all sorts of little delightful things.

Maybe I should have kept my childhood beliefs — Santa Claus, the Three Kings, Ratoncito Perez, my mom’s version of the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. They gave me the holiday spirit. Christmas was always something I genuinely looked forward to because of Santa, who would always bring me the gifts I desired most. He would write on a card in his odd large penmanship and wrap his gifts differently from my mommy’s gifts. He was quite a guy. He and the Three Kings filled my little life with Christmas spirit. But when you’re old and the grandmother of adults — where is the joy?

I remember when my eldest daughter dashed my dreams of perpetuating the Easter Bunny with her son, my oldest grandson. She had turned Christian when he was small. I was so excited about making Easter eggs when she stopped me and said it was not allowed in their church. Huh? Why not? It’s a very charming ritual and I love painting the eggs. No, Mom, I’m sorry, she said, but my son can’t believe in the Easter Bunny. That son is 28 now.


Ah, but there is the joy! This year for the first time the four children of my eldest daughter will be home for Christmas. They will join us for lunch at my youngest daughter’s house. We will roast a turkey. I will teach my daughter how to roast a turkey. That thought excites me. I have made a mental list of the things I will need. I will get them on December 23 and bring them on the 24th.

Once upon a time I was the roaster of turkeys. I have made them every way imaginable because once upon a time I was a very good cook. I would make them traditionally stuffed with a mixture of pork and beef bound with rice, raisins, chestnuts, celery and carrots. Once in the States I decided to stuff the turkey with fruit and to baste it with hoisin sauce. That was quite delicious. Now the children have grown and flown and so have some grandchildren. I think the last time I roasted a turkey for Christmas was 17 years ago, the year my grandson Julian was born. That was the last happy Christmas I remember us having.

Until this year, I hope, when we will mostly be together again. Now I have gotten myself excited not over the holidays but over seeing my grandchildren again. They are tall, handsome and the girl is lovely. I will take her shopping after Christmas and buy her things she might want to take back. I will love all of them and shower them with whatever goodies I can think of starting but not ending with the turkey, which their aunt will roast. I will simply teach.

That is the wonder of Christmas this year that I had somehow managed to forget until I had to write this article. My three grandchildren, who are usually not here, will be here. I will see them for a while but I love them dearly whether they are near or far.

source: philstar.com

An Experiment in De-Commercializing the Holidays

The average U.S. Consumer is planning to spend $750 on gifts this year, in addition to a few hundred spent on themselves while combing through all of those unbelievable deals.

Exorbitant holiday gift spending is as American as apple pie, but it is one tradition that we would be better off for if it were to go the way of the dodo.

The reality is Black Friday, the wonderful new Black Thanksgiving, and the ensuing weeks are really just “open season” on our bank accounts. We think we’re the ones doing the hunting – but sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.

I appreciate the value of giving something of sentimental significance. I also am a big fan of giving gifts that save money. Or gifts that give an experience to enjoy.

But the large majority of holiday spending does not come in these forms. It comes in the form of buying others a bunch of crap off of their wish list (in which case they should buy themselves) or crap you think they want (which they probably don’t). It’s a terribly inefficient process. No matter how accurate your gifter is, they could never be as efficient as you are in buying only the stuff that you need, and vice versa.

So the holidays become this inefficient commercial exchange that leaves everyone with a bunch of stuff that has no sentimental value, no use, and the resulting guilt.




The No Gift Proposition

Back in 2009, I proposed cutting off holiday gifting between my wife and I. She was 100% in agreement.

We then started a quest to de-commercialize the holidays (and birthdays) in our families.

We told them that we wanted to de-clutter our lives and of our desire for the holidays to be more about the tradition of spending time together versus consumption and the associated stress and waste. We wanted it to be Thanksgiving: Part 2 (the pre-Black Thanksgiving version). Food, drink, family, and relaxation! And we wanted our birthdays to be the same way.

At the time, the idea just didn’t catch on. My side of the family said they liked the idea, but then went ahead and bought some crap anyways (probably out of guilt or habit). Her side of the family couldn’t comprehend it, and we felt somewhat resigned to defeat.

But we kept spreading the message.

The New Tradition

Three holiday seasons later, the picture has completely changed.

Last year saw no gifting on my side of the family, with the exception of a few bottles of wine and some food.

On my wife’s side of the family, we’ve turned git giving in to a combination of donating to a local charity and a white elephant exchange.

Gone are wish lists, gift cards, and all the stuff.

In effect, we’ve started a new tradition. And no one seems to miss the old one. In fact, something about the white elephant makes it much more fun and rewarding than traditional gift giving.

In the process, our families have increased our collective net worth by thousands, we have less clutter, less stress, and a more satisfying time together.

Even if unpopular and first met with resistance, some new traditions are worth starting.

No-Gift Discussion:

• Have you pursued a similar idea with your family? What was their reaction?
• If you’ve been successful in de-commercializing the holidays, do you have any recommendations for others interested in doing the same?

source: 20somethingfinance.com

Gap between real holidays and expectations

There's a gap between what the holidays should be and what they can be and the real holidays we live, a U.S. pediatrician says.

Pediatrician Dr. George Askew said there is a big difference between the holidays people experience and the expectations we carry in our minds.

"If we can't do in our real holidays what we've come to believe we should do, what then? If you have 10 holiday must-dos, and you can't do all 10, shorten the list," Askew said in a statement.

"When you give yourself some room to not get all the things done, you know what? You'll be much happier if you let that kind of thing go. You're going to feel so much better about what you've accomplished in that day."

Askew also advised against just letting everything go, such as eating healthy, being physically active, and getting enough rest -- because they help you get through the holidays, too.

source: upi.com

Tech it away, Santa

There are so many gadgets out there that it makes picking just one for a Christmas gift to yourself really, really challenging.

But there is no challenge too big for a gadget lover like me. So here is a list of a few gadgets and then some, worth writing Santa about.

Iphone 5

Why I want it: My love affair with the iPhone began when I first held the iPhone 3G in 2007. Since then I have always included the iPhone in my must-have cell phone list. I like that what Apple has done is to build on a good product and make it better, so rather than introduce many iPhones, it stuck to just one good product. Because it’s an iPhone. People who have it have told me that the iPhone 5’s sleek design and speed of Internet connections make it better than my “old” iPhone 4S.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Why I want it: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 comes in a size that is great for capturing photos and making sure that I look good in them before Tweeting. The S-Pen, the Samsung stylus, is great for scribbling since I have stubby fingers. Of course, the fact that the Note 2 is thinner, lighter, faster and more attractive are reasons enough to include it in my must-have list.

G-Shock GA110 FC

Why I want it: Anyone who knows me knows that I like colors. And G-Shock watches are not only colorful — they are also shock proof and waterproof, making them perfect for me. Other features include mechanically designed hands, combination analog-digital timekeeping, and magnetic resistance. Of course, the fact it’s part of the limited-edition series makes for good bragging rights.

Asics Noosa Tri 7

Why I want it: I’m not a true-blue marathon runner. I am more of a village runner. I also love going to the gym and Asics Noosa is really fun to wear. The white letters on the front and back of the shoe glow in the dark. I am used to wearing running shoes at work all day — so I consider the Noosa a great pair of shoes for work. I just love the way Asics combines all the colors of the rainbow in its Noosa series.

HTC One X+

Why I want it: For starters it runs on the Android Jelly Bean. I am told that it is an upgrade from the HTC One S, of which I am a big fan. It has increased performance, longer battery life and expanded internal storage at 64GB — the most offered by any smartphone. It features a 1.7GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 AP37 processor. It features the newly launched Self-Portrait mode on the front camera, which applies enhancements to skin and eyes. Sightseeing Mode allows you to take photos even when the phone is locked as one touch of the power button bypasses the lock screen.

TRX suspension training

Why I like it: I am a gym buff. I spend as much time as I can in the gym — have been doing that for over 20 years. But sometimes when I travel all the hotel gyms have is a good treadmill. One of my workouts at the gym is TRX or suspension training, a form of resistance training that includes bodyweight exercises in which a variety of multi-planar, compound exercise movements can be performed. As I grow older, I like the use of the TRX because it means that I can do a lot of core exercises using body weight instead of heavy free weights. TRX training has helped in developing my strength, balance, flexibility, and joint stability by just hanging on to the ropes and doing a set of exercises — and there seem to be an unlimited set of exercises one can do with it.

source: philstar.com

Microsoft, Google in catfight over online shopping

WASHINGTON — Just in time for the holidays, Microsoft and Google have become embroiled in a bitter dispute over who is the fairest of them all for online shopping, stepping up the battle between the tech giants.

Microsoft threw the first punch when it launched a campaign for its Bing search engine “to highlight Bing’s commitment to honest search results.”

The campaign also seeks “to help explain to consumers the risks of Google Shopping’s newly announced ‘pay-to-rank’ practice,” a Microsoft statement said.

Microsoft created a Web page called “Scroogled,” which points out that its rival has reversed course on its pledge at the time of the Google stock offering to avoid paid ad inclusion for search results.

“Google Shopping is nothing more than a list of targeted ads that unsuspecting customers assume are search results,” Microsoft claims.

Google announced earlier this year it would revamp its product search to become a shopping service with paid listings. This eliminated merchants which opted not to pay, including some notable ones like Amazon.

Google said it completed the transition October 17 in the US, and will be rolling out the same model in Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Brazil, Australia and Switzerland.

“We think this will bring the same high-quality shopping experience to people — and positive results to merchants — around the world,” a Google blog posting said.

Microsoft is promoting its campaign online and offline with ads “demonstrating why consumers should be concerned and helping them take action” on the Google shift, a Microsoft statement said.

“We’re also calling on Google to stop this ‘pay-to-rank’ system for their shopping results and give shoppers what they expect — an honest search.”

Google maintains that merchants cannot improve their rank simply by paying more, and that sellers who have a financial stake in the results will keep their information up to date.

“Google Shopping makes it easier for shoppers to quickly find what they’re looking for, compare different products and connect with merchants to make a purchase,” said an email from a Google spokeswoman.

But some analysts say both companies are less than transparent about how their shopping engines work, and that Microsoft is not without blame.

Danny Sullivan, analyst with the website Search Engine Land, said of the Microsoft effort: “Great campaign, if it were true. It’s not. Bing itself does the same things it accuses Google of.”

Sullivan told AFP that “at least Google has the fine print that you can read; Microsoft doesn’t have it at all.”

Microsoft, according to Sullivan, excludes new merchants from Bing search results if they don’t pay for inclusion with its partner, Shopping.com, even though this is not fully transparent to consumers.

“Payment is a factor for ranking,” in Bing, said Sullivan, who maintains that Microsoft’s campaign is misleading.

Microsoft said its own shopping results through Bing are not influenced by payment.

“Bing includes millions of free listings from merchants and rankings are determined entirely by which products are most relevant to your query,” said Stefan Weitz, senior director at Bing, in an emailed statement.

“While merchants can pay fees for inclusion on our third party shopping sites and subsequently may appear in Bing Shopping through partnerships we have, we do not rank merchants higher based on who pays us, nor do we let merchants pay to have their product offers placed higher in Bing Shopping’s search results.”

Sullivan argues that Google, ironically, may have moved to paid listings to deflect attention from regulators and others who complain it had been skewing its search results.

“If you have people complaining you search results are unfair, you can turn them into ads,” he said.

But Sullivan noted that Google merely adopted the same policies of most shopping sites, which use paid listings even if they appear to be an impartial search.

The overall message from the latest row, according to Sullivan: “You need to shop around. Use multiple search engines. All of them that suggest that they are gathering stuff from across the Web but may not be doing that.”

source: interaksyon.com

8 Easy Ways to Make Money for the Holidays

The premature appearance of all-things Christmas may make you see red and feel green, but it’s actually a good reminder to start budgeting for this year’s holiday season. The National Retail Federation estimates the average consumer will spend nearly $750 on holiday-related purchases, up slightly from last year’s actual spending. This number doesn’t factor in the cost of holiday travel or the time away from your day job to connect with family and friends.

Making extra money is the best way to combat this significant seasonal expense. Since you don’t want to spend all your free time working, consider the following easy ways to score some extra cash by Christmas.










1. Get a Seasonal Job

Retailers, restaurants and even call centers are looking for extra help around the holidays. If your schedule allows, consider picking up a shift on weeknights or weekends and deposit your earnings into a separate account just for holiday expenses. MSN recently listed 16 companies in need of seasonal assistance.

2. Sell Gift Cards

Since nearly $40 billion in gift cards went unredeemed between 2005 and 2011, it’s likely you have a few unused cards cluttering your wallet. Stop wasting space and sell your gift cards for cash on GiftCardGranny.com, where you can make up to 92-percent of the card’s face value.

3. Get Paid for Chores

Remember when you used to get cash in exchange for taking out the trash or walking the dog? Yeah, the good ol’ days. Happily, you can still get paid for small chores through TaskRabbit, an online service allowing people to bid on to-do’s required by others.

4. Adjust Your Withholdings

Some people dread the holiday season but most people dread tax season even more. Though you don’t need to think about your 1040 just yet, you can line your pocket with a few extra dollars by adjusting your withholdings. If you received a hefty return this year, scale back that interest-free loan to the government to help offset your holiday costs.

5. Use Rewards for Gifts

Your credit card will likely get some serious action over the next couple months, so use your reward points wisely. If you have a good amount saved up, consider redeeming them for gift cards which you use to purchase gifts — or as gifts themselves — or help offset the cost of holiday travel. There’s an art to redeeming rewards, so check out this article from MarketWatch for savvy advice.

6. Get Free Services

Do you withdraw cash from an ATM every week? Text incessantly for a monthly fee? Pay for your kids’ meal when you go out? You can get all this and more for free, leaving money in your pocket for things that actually cost something. Get cash from the grocery store, download a free texting app like textPlus, and consult this list of over 100 restaurantswhere kids eat free.

7. Sell Your Stuff

You can consign your clothes, auction off accessories and eBay your electronics for extra cash. Swapping is another money-saving trend that offers new (to you) stuff for items you no longer use or wear. Host a swap party with friends or head to Swap.com to exchange your items online.

8. Freelance Your Skills

Whether you design websites or crunch numbers, your skills can make you money beyond the nine-to-five. Elance is an online service connecting freelancers with people who need talent, making it easy to browse for your next paycheck.

source: everythingfinanceblog.com

NARS Andy Warhol App Makes Over Your Facebook Profile

NARS Cosmetics developed a limited-edition product line for the holidays inspired by Andy Warhol. NARS Andy Warhol Collection includes a range of cosmetics products like an eyeshadow palette with Warhol’s portrait and an essentials kit packaged in a film canister.

NARS energized its robust online community by taking its tribute to the pop art icon a step further. The company created the NARS Profile Makeover app in which users can “Warholize” their Facebook profile for a visual makeover.

Users can pull images from their Facebook photos, desktop images or take a new picture from their webcam. They can then assemble images and templates that combine Warhol’s artistic touch and NARS’ branding.

source: mashable.com

Best Credit Cards for Holiday Spending

Figuring out how you will pay for holiday purchases is as important as selecting the right gifts. For example, if you prefer to spread out payments, a no-annual-fee card with a 0% introductory interest rate could be just the thing.

Citibank offers three no-fee cards with a 0% rate on purchases and balance transfers lasting from 15 to 18 months. (You pay a 3% balance-transfer fee.) The Citi Diamond Preferred card (full rate: 11.99% after 18 months) provides access to person­alized concierge services that can help you book hotel rooms and flights. The Citi ThankYou card (full rate: 12.99% after 15 months) awards one ThankYou point for every $1 spent. Points may be redeemed for gift cards, travel rewards or cash. The interest rate on the Citi Simplicity card (full rate: 12.99% after 18 months) won’t increase even if you pay late.

If you pay off your entire balance each month, you may prefer a rewards card that offers a 0% intro rate plus a 5% rebate on varying categories of purchases. The new no-fee U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card (0% for six months, then 13.99%) allows cardholders to select two purchase categories each quarter for which they will earn 5%. You may also choose a category that will earn you 2%. All other purchases earn 1%. The no-fee Discover More card (0% for 15 months, then 10.99%) offers a 5% cash-back bonus on purchases in categories that rotate quarterly. With the no-fee Chase Freedom card (0% for 15 months, then 12.99%), you earn 5% on up to $1,500 spent on airline fares and hotels -- and at Best Buy and Kohl’s through the end of December.

source: kiplinger.com

Obama sends Easter, Passover greetings

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama extended Easter and Passover greetings Saturday as Americans celebrated the Christian and Jewish holidays.

"These holidays have their roots in miracles that took place thousands of years ago. They connect us to our past and give us strength as we face the future," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "And they remind us of the common thread of humanity that connects us all."

Passover began at sundown Friday and ends on April 14. It commemorates the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt, receipt of the Torah at Mount Sinai and eventual journey into the Promised Land.

At a festive dinner called a Seder, unleavened bread is consumed during the seven-day holiday to re-live the hasty flight from Egypt, during which there was no time to allow the bread to rise.

The Gospels say Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion and burial on the morning of what has become known as Easter Sunday -- the most important day of the year for Christians.

"For me, and for countless other Christians, Easter weekend is a time to reflect and rejoice," Obama said in the address stressing his own religious fervor.

"Christ's triumph over death holds special meaning for Christians. But all of us, no matter how or whether we believe, can identify with elements of His story. The triumph of hope over despair. Of faith over doubt.

"The notion that there is something out there that is bigger than ourselves."

Obama, a Christian who attends church regularly with his family, has faced slurs in the past from opponents who painted him as un-American and even a "closet Muslim" -- his middle name is Hussein.

Saying the core values at the heart of Easter and Passover "help unite Americans of all faiths and backgrounds," Obama wishes all Americans "a weekend filled with joy and reflection, focused on the things that matter most."

source: interaksyon.com