Relaxing Hub

8 Secrets About Your Debit Card

2011-07-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

It's neat, plastic and goes everywhere. But your debit card may still be keeping a few secrets.

A hybrid of cash, checks and credit cards, it's an entirely different species with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Making it even more enigmatic, not even all debit cards play by the same rules. Depending on the issuer, the brand and your own banking history, debit cards can have vastly different rules and protections.

Here are eight things about your debit card that you may not know.

1. Some debit cards issuers offer zero-liability protection against fraud and theft.

What you may not know is that to reap those benefits, you may have to use the card with a signature instead of a PIN, says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer Action, a national consumer education and advocacy group based in San Francisco.

Federal law limits personal liability for unauthorized transactions to $50 for credit cards, but offers more limited fraud protection for debit cards.

How to protect yourself: Find out if your bank offers theft and fraud protection. Get specific. Under what circumstances is it honored? How do you have to use the card? What's your timetable for reporting the loss?

"Most of these promises have limits and asterisks," says Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director with U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.

As for disputed funds, some banks will put them back in your account, provisionally, while they investigate. Others will wait until their inquiries are completed.

"We still like to tell people if they're ordering things online or over the phone, they might want to use a credit card because they have superior charge-back protection," says Sherry. "When something goes wrong with a credit card, you're not out the money."

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2. If you can't find the receipt for that phone charger you bought last month, your debit card might be able to help, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation.

Some issuers offer a service where "they'll research it and email it to you," he says. "It's a nice feature."

Not all institutions handle the request the same way. Some charge a minimal fee. Some deliver the receipt by mail, rather than email, which takes longer. With some, it may not be the actual receipt, but a record of the purchase with the amount, item and date. But if the receipt is something you need, this is at least another option.

Searching for extra money instead?

A few institutions are still offering rewards programs for debit card users. And some banks and credit unions have optional savings programs to round up purchases and bank the difference or deposit a set amount, such as $1, to savings every time you use the card.

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3. You probably know your daily ATM limit by heart. But did you know you likely have a daily debit card spending limit, too?

"That's pretty common," says Nessa Feddis, vice president and senior counsel for the American Bankers Association. The actual limit "may depend on the customer, the balance and the usual activity," she says.

If you have a limit, your institution will cap debit spending once you hit the magic number, no matter how much is in the account.

So if you're planning to use your debit card for high-dollar purchases, it pays to find out what that limit is, says Sherry.

And depending on what you learn, you may have to either spread out your purchases or make other plans.

If you're making a one-time large purchase, you can also call the institution and ask them to override the limit, says Feddis. "They want you to use the card," she says. "If you've got enough money, there's probably not a problem."

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4. Your debit card might not work if you deviate from your normal patterns.

That's because institutions will often cut off a card if they notice atypical usage. So if you usually shop in New York and you're suddenly springing for cappuccinos in Seattle, your issuer might refuse the transaction.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this one. With some institutions you can let the bank or credit union know you plan to use the card on the road and they will put a "travel alert" on your account, says Michelle Dosher, managing editor for consumer publications for the Credit Union National Association.

But that may not always work with every institution, says Feddis. It's often "easier to call the bank or send them an email if you've been turned down," she says. And just in case, it's always good to have a backup.

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5. Debit cards are like cash in some ways. But in others, they can be a completely different animal.

"People might think that when they use their debit card that transactions will come out of their account in the same order (in which) they are using their card," says Rebecca Borne, senior policy counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending. "What a lot of banks are doing is reordering those debit card transactions before they come out."

The model of processing larger purchases first, favored by some institutions, also produces maximum fees if a customer overdraws an account, she says.

You have no control over the order in which your bank processes daily transactions. But you can sidestep fees by not opting into fee-based overdraft protection programs, Borne says.

If you don't opt in, when your balance hits zero, the card stops working. And if you've already signed up for fee-based overdraft protection, you can cancel it just as easily.

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6. One not-so-great fact about debit cards: Transactions don't always show up immediately. So there's your "balance" and your "real balance."

Often with signature-based purchases (the ones that don't involve your PIN to complete the transaction), the money can take up to a few days before it exits your account, says Dosher.

The solution: Keep track of your true balance via receipts and a checkbook, ledger or even a cheap notebook. And yes, there's an app for that -- for your iPhone or Android system.

Also check out the online banking services offered by your bank or credit union, Dosher says.

But online doesn't necessarily mean "real time." With some institutions, there can be a delay, even with online banking, before some transactions appear on your account records.

Returning a debit card purchase? You may have to wait for your money.

"Typically, it's not more than a week, and as little as a day," says Butler. "You really have to ask each retailer because it varies," he says. "And it varies depending on which bank you're using and which bank the retailer is using."

So if money is tight -- and you suspect those new jeans will be, too -- using cash or credit might be smarter.

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7. At many banks and credit unions, one option for low-cost overdraft protection involves linking the checking account to a savings account.

The problem for consumers: When the two accounts are linked, anyone with access to the debit card can drain them both, Sherry says. While the upside is cheaper overdraft protection, "the downside is getting your savings wiped out, as well as your checking account, if anyone else gets your card," she says.

Her advice: If you want to use this form of overdraft protection, keep the bulk of your savings in a third account that's not linked to anything. Link your checking account only to a savings account that holds just enough money to be an overdraft bumper.

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8. Wish you could ditch the debit and go back to the old ATM card?

What you might not know: That's still an option at a lot of banks and credit unions.

If you just want to use your card to withdraw cash from an ATM, call your bank or credit union and find out if they offer ATM cards.

One caveat: ATM cards can still be used to purchase gas or merchandise at some locations, says Feddis.

"An ATM card is a debit card, but it's basically PIN-only," she says. "You can use it at a gas station or any place where they take a PIN."

Girls in Police Forces (52 pics)

2011-03-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here comes lady cops from different countries around the world. They are sexy, smart, lethal and ready to kick criminal’s asses.

Netherlands

Germany

Austria

Poland

Iraq

Japan

Iran

Malaysia

Singapore

Peru

Pakistan

Israel

England

Chile

China

Dominican Republic

India

Jordan

Norway

South Korea

Philippines

Republic of Yemen

Sweden

Taiwan

The USA

The Republic of Nicaragua

North Korea

Lithuania

Indonesia

Romania

Finland

Cuba

Cyprus

Republic of Zambia

Kuwait

France

Serbia

Algeria

The Republic of Singapore

Canada

Iceland

Colombia

Egypt

Italy

Ukraine

Russia

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8 Touching Stories of Dying Wishes Coming True

2011-03-14T04:46:00.000-07:00

1.The teenager girl who wanted to go to her homecoming dance and died 3 days later

Brett Marie Christian, 15, had leukemia and the prognosis wasn't good. She was dying, but before she died, she wanted one last dance but she was too sick to go to the Homecoming Dance. So her classmates made her last wish come true and brought the dance to her. That's how Palmyra High's homecoming came early that year at the Monarch in Lincoln, where people go to die. She wore a pink dress and her hair in curls. She had a manicure and a pedicure. Her date bought her a corsage and a necklace, too. Brett and Treyton Carter danced the first dance in the commons room, with 50 or more of their classmates who were dressed for a party.

Miss Christian was crowned homecoming queen on a Saturday night and died three days later with her family all around. There were lots of things the high school sophomore knew she'd miss. Getting married, having kids, growing old .But she wanted one last dance. [Link]

2.The dying girl who wished to see Pixar's ‘Up'

Colby Curtin got her final wish. The 10-year-old girl desperately wanted to see the new Disney-Pixar movie, “Up.” But the cancer-stricken girl was too sick to go to a theater. So a family friend contacted someone at Pixar to see if they could help. The very next day, Pixar flew in an employee with a bag of “Up” memorabilia and a DVD version of the film. Together he and Colby's family all watched the movie. The movie features a large plume of balloons released to the sky. Colby died 7 hours later.

Note: Our reader Christopher wanted us to add that according to TV Tropes, the movie was not in theatres yet, and Pixar specially made a DVD for her, flew it out, and let her have her wish. On top of that, it is written that they didn't try publicizing it either. [Link]

3.The 100-year-old woman who got her degree a day before dying

It was Harriet Richardson Ames' dream to earn her bachelor's degree in education. She finally reached that milestone nearly three weeks after achieving another: her 100th birthday. The day after receiving her diploma at her bedside, the retired school teacher died, pleased that she had accomplished her goal. Ames had earned a two-year teaching certificate in 1931 at Keene Normal School, now Keene State College. At age 100, Harriet Richardson Ames fulfilled her dream of earning her bachelor's degree in education. [Link]

4.The dying boy who helped feeding the hungry

Brenden Foster (October 4, 1997 – November 21, 2008) was a boy from Bothell, Washington, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2005. KOMO, a local broadcasting station, reported the story of Brenden's last wish, which was to feed the homeless. He said he wanted to be an angel so he could help the homeless from Heaven. The story inspired many, and prompted attention from national media, even drawing international attention.

The Brenden Foster Food Drive was created by the broadcasting station in his honor. In Seattle, volunteers from the Emerald City Lights Bike Ride passed out over 200 sandwiches to the homeless. Inspired viewers took part in the "Stuff the Truck" food drive in Brenden's honor, filling seven trucks of groceries and $95,000 in cash to benefit the Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline. Brenden's story also reached KOMO's sister station in Portland, Oregon, KATU, which reported actions inspired by Brenden in Los Angeles, Ohio, and Pensacola, Florida. At the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, for instance, over 2,500 meals have been served in Brenden's name. His advocacy for the homeless housed in tent cities continues to be remembered. A Vietnam War veteran from Kentucky who lost his leg in the war was so touched by the story, he gave Brenden his purple heart.

The Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise paid for Brenden's funeral; he was buried in Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington. [Link]

5.The woman who wanted to get married as her final wish

Maire Taomia was diagnosed with gastric cancer and, as a dying wish, asked her father to give his blessing for the marriage. The Ashburton woman and Marouna Tunui, 23, were married in a bittersweet ceremony before 300 friends and family at St. Christopher's Church in Avonhead.

When the doctor told Taomia there was nothing more they could do, she told her father: "I want to get married." The young couple, who have been together for more than two years, have a one-year-old son, Detroit. The pair has lived in a single-bed room in Christchurch Hospital since November 2010. Rongo said his daughter was energetic and beautiful during the ceremony held in January 2011, but her illness was not forgotten.

CanTeen, the Cancer Society of New Zealand and Christchurch's Millennium Hotel covered the costs of a wedding cake, a wedding dress, a limousine, a photographer and a hotel room for the couple's honeymoon. [Link]

6.The six-year-old girl who wanted to leave love letters to her parents

When 6-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer, she began hiding hundreds of little love notes around the house for her parents to find after she was gone. She was given 135 days to live. She lived 255 days, passing away in 2007. After her death, Elena's parents, Brooke and Keith, found hundreds of notes from Elena hidden around the house — in between CD cases, between bookshelves, in dresser drawers, in backpacks. "It just felt like a little hug from her, like she was telling us she was looking over us". Elena's parents, Brooke and Keith Desserich, later published these notes in a book called Notes Left Behind to fund a non-profit organization The Cure Starts Now dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer. [Link]

7.The 5-year-old who dreamed of singing to Simon Cowell before dying

Bethany Fenton, 5, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009, was granted her biggest wish — to sing for Simon Cowell. Her dream came true at the Britain's Got Talent studios in London. Afterwards, she said: “Simon let me sing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' to him. He's so nice and I love him.” Bethany passed away at a hospice the three days later. Cowell's spokesman Max Clifford said, “He is really upset, he said what a beautiful little girl she was. He is just so sad, and sad for the whole family. She was a very special little girl and Simon was so touched when she sang for him… his heart goes out to Bethany's mum and dad and he is thinking of them.” A spokesman for Bethany's family said, “Her dad said that she had done what she always wanted to do, meet Simon Cowell and sing to him. She had achieved her big ambition and was now ready to depart this earth.” [Link]

8.The dying wife who asked for her husband who beat her up to be free from jail

A Northern California man serving a sentence for assaulting his wife was released in 2011 because of the dying wish from the woman he admitted beating. 3 months prior to this, Jeremy Davis was sentenced to 12 months in the Monterey County Jail after pleading guilty to the charges. He was let go after his wife, Char Davis, asked a judge to release him. The reason for the request: she was diagnosed with terminal cancer Christmas Eve. After providing proof of her illness, a Monterey County judge sympathized with Davis and granted her request.

Char Davis walked away from the courthouse in tears, hand-in-hand with her husband's father, a retired nursing director who will help care for her. As part of the condition of his release, Davis will attend weekly domestic violence classes. [Link]
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Bad Photographs That You Paid For (36 pics)

2011-03-12T21:32:00.001-08:00

When you pay someone to take your picture, you expect to get something nice and accurate. But these people weren’t so lucky.

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Hot Girls Dressed As Hot Video Game Characters (27 Pics)

2011-03-12T20:46:00.001-08:00

Here are some Cosplays from popular video game characrter by gorgeous girls!

Morrigan Aensland from Darkstalkers

Lilith from Borderlands

Ivy from Soul Caliber

Cammy from Street Fighter

Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy VII

Samus Aran from Metroid

Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros.

Cortana from Halo

Nondescript Elf NPC from World of Warcraft

Miranda from Mass Effect 2

Bayonetta from Bayonetta

Lara Croft from Tomb Raider

Aeris from Final Fantasy VII

Rebecca Chambers from Resident Evil

The Scout from Team Fortress 2

New Team Rocket Trainer from Pokemon

Chun Li from Street Fighter

Ada Wong from Resident Evil 2

Jill Valentine from Resident Evil 3

Link from The Legend of Zelda

Jack from Mass Effect 2

Sheva from Resident Evil 5

Faith from Mirror's Edge

Rikku from Final Fantasy X-2

Sophitia from Soul Caliber

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10 Unique Computer Keyboard

2011-02-25T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here are some creative and unusual computer keyboard designs from all over the world.

Virtual Laser Keyboard

Keyboard based on optical recognition mechanism that enables the user to tap on the projected keys, while producing real tapping sounds. [link]

Scrabble Keyboard

Most of the keys are made from real Scrabble tiles that were all hand-beveled and built onto USB mechanical-switch keyboard. [link]

Giant Keyboard

Created by Maurin Donneaud, this giant keyboard rolls out onto the floor and lets you type with your feet. [link]

Flexible Keyboard

Made from high quality silicone material, flexible keyboard is extremely portable so that users can bring it everywhere. The illuminated design makes it useful in low-light environments. [link]

Gold Keyboard

Genius Gold Keyboard created by KYE Systems Corp from real gold. [link]

Optimus Maximus Keyboard

Cool keyboard where each key is a stand-alone display that shows the function currently assigned to it. [link]

Steampunk Keyboard

Beautiful retro keyboard created by Jake von Slatt is fully functional. [link]

Glass Keyboard

Futuristic “no-key” keyboard concept designed by Kong Fanwen. [link]

Wooden Keyboard

Unique keyboard by Japanese electronics company Marubeni Infotec. [link]

Waterproof Keyboard

Water-resistant computer keyboard with tactile feedback keys. [link]
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Gorgeous Girls Trying To Be Lara Croft in Tomb Raider

2011-02-25T21:24:00.001-08:00

Here are some beautiful girls' cosplay featuring Lara Croft in movie Tomb Raider. Enjoy!

10 Weird Exotic Fruits

2010-12-06T04:53:00.000-08:00

1.Star fruit

The star fruit or carambola is a tropical fruit that is gaining popularity in the United States. This fruit acquired its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle of the fruit. It has a waxy, golden yellow to green color skin with a complicated flavor combination that includes plums, pineapples, and lemons. (Link)

2.Pomegranate

The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and was cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region since ancient times. The LA Times recently labelled pomegranate as ‘one of the most trendiest and versatile fruit on the market', and it could be good for you (another fruit sold for its ‘medical values'). Packed with antioxidants, pomegranate juice is now on the red carpet, and even the stars at the Oscars drink the dark red liquid. (Link)

3.Urucu

You can count on finding the Urucu plant (Bixa orellana) around every rural household in the Amazon. Achiote (Bixa orellana) is a shrub or small tree from the tropical region of the Americas. It is cultivated there and in Southeast Asia, where it was introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century. It is best known as the source of the natural pigment annatto, produced from the fruit. (Link 1 | Link 2 | Photo)

4.Buddha's Hand

Ever heard of a Fingered Citron? How about a Buddha's Hand? It's a weird -looking citrus that has green or rich yellow tapering fingers or segments attached to a base – the appearance is not unlike a curled, arthritic hand, only there are usually many more than 5 fingers! But what on earth do you do with a Buddha's Hand? Do you eat it? Well, yes, and no. Its thick, lemony rind and pith (the white part) is often candied into a delicious citrus delicacy, infused with spirits or made into liqueurs. However, the small amount of inside flesh is quite sour and rarely used in food. The Buddha's Hand and other members of the Citron family are also prized for their aromatic citrus oils and used in perfumes and sometimes kept in homes as a natural air deodorizer. (Link)

5.Mangosteen

Called ‘mangkut', these are the ‘queen of Thai fruits' with their elegant, segmented white–flesh inside a thick large purple peel. They grow in the South and the season lasts just a few months of the year, mainly from May to September. If you are here in Thailand at that time be sure to enjoy this delicious and luxurious sweet fruit. (Link)

6.Ackee

Ackee is Jamaica's national fruit. The fruit was imported to Jamaica from West Africa (probably on a slave ship) before 1778. Since then it has become a major feature of various Caribbean cuisines, and is also cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas elsewhere around the world. The fruit of the ackee is not edible in its entirety. Only the inner, fleshy yellow arils are consumed. It is extremely poisonous in the very center if you eat the red bits. (Link 1 | Link 2)

7.Rambutan

This is the strangest looking fruit ever. Rambutan in Malay, Indonesian, and Filipino literally means hairy, caused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit. On the outside it's magenta with green hairy legs all over it. From the outside you'd have no idea what to expect on the inside. Inside it's similar to a lychee fruit. It looks sort of clear and gummy. It's very watery and has a huge seed in the center. It tastes pretty decent, but it's the look of the ramputan that puts it in the top ten. (Link | Photo)

8.Squared Watermelon

For years consumers have struggled to fit the large round fruit in their refrigerators. And then there was the problem of trying to cut the fruit when it kept rolling around. But 20 years ago a forward-thinking farmer on Japan's south-western island of Shikoku solved the problem. The farmer, from Zentsuji, in Kagawa prefecture, came up with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon which could easily be packed and stored. To make it happen, farmers grew the melons in glass boxes and the fruit then naturally assumed the same shape. Today the cuboid watermelons are hand-picked and shipped all over Japan. But the fruit, on sale in a selection of department stores and upmarket supermarkets, appeals mainly to the wealthy and fashion-conscious of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan's two major cities. Each melon sells for 10,000 yen, equivalent to about $83. It is almost double, or even triple than of a normal watermelon. (Link | Photo)

9.Dragon fruit

A pitaya is the fruit of several cactus species, most importantly of the genus Hylocereus (sweet pitayas). These fruit are commonly known as dragon fruit. The fruit can weigh from 150 to 600 grams. To prepare a pitaya for consumption, the fruit is cut open to expose the flesh. The fruit's texture is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit due to the presence of black crunchy seeds. The flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories; dragon fruit should not be used to accompany strong-tasting food – except to "clean the palate" between dishes. The seeds are eaten together with the flesh, but they are indigestible unless chewed. The fruit is also converted into juice or wine, or used to flavour other beverages. The flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. (Link)

10.Kiwano

The horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus), also called African horned cucumber or kiwano, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family. Often known by its nickname in the southeastern United States - blowfish fruit - it is grown for its fruit, which looks like an oval melon with horn-like spines. The fruit of this plant is edible, but it is used as often for decoration as for food. When ripe, it has a yellow-orange skin and a lime green jelly-like flesh. The horned melon is native to Africa, and it is now grown in California, Chile, Australia and New Zealand as well. (Link | Photo 1 | Photo 2)

Amazing Monochrome(Black & White) Women Photography (40 pics)

2010-12-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

These are some incredible black and white photos of women. Color photographs are converted to black and white with the help of a great features of digital photography. It is also called as monochrome conversion. There’s little or no need to shoot digital photos in black-and-white when color images can easily be converted to black-and-white in Photo shop or a similar image editor.

Black and white portraits do a much better job at showing a women’s personality, where true emotions can be defined. Female portraits aren’t about having a pretty face covered in makeup on the other side of a camera, but instead about understanding what’s going on inside the other person and reflecting it in the photograph.

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Surprising Truths Behind 7 Diet Myths

2010-12-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Internet, there’s a ton of nutrition information available. Unfortunately, some of it comes from unqualified people writing about their own theories or companies pushing their products. It’s no surprise, then, that misinformation is repeated as often as it is—and that it often comes to be taken as truth.Keri Gans, MS, RD, a highly regarded registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, to help set the facts straight once and for all.

1. Myth: White foods offer little nutritional value.

Truth: Many white foods are nutrient-dense. White potatoes, white asparagus, cauliflower, white cranberries, white beans, and white onions are just a few of the foods that offer a variety of powerful health-promoting nutrients. For instance, raw cauliflower beats raw tomatoes for antioxidant content. But Gans suggests that if foods become “white” due to processing—for example, when whole grains are stripped of their naturally nutritious, fiber-containing bran and germ in order to become “white” grain foods—their overall health value decreases. So stick to plant foods that are naturally white.

2. Myth: Celery has negative calories.

Truth: No food has negative calories. The theory of negative calories is that you expend more calories chewing very low-calorie foods, like celery, than the food actually has. Gans cautions, “‘Negative’ calories is a myth and does not actually exist.” However, celery can aid in weight loss. One large stalk, for instance, provides only ten calories. Additionally, it provides fiber and has a very high water content (95 percent of total weight). That can boost a feeling of fullness, which can then play a role in weight loss. But the actual activity of chewing most foods may burn only about five calories in an hour. Any way you slice it, though, the positive news is that munching celery or any other raw veggie can help you get to, and keep, a healthy weight.

3. Myth: Drinking diet soda will help you lose weight.

Truth: Don’t we all wish it was that easy? However, Gans does give us a little hope. She says, “Drinking diet soda will only help you lose weight if you are drinking it in place of regular soda and don’t at the same time increase your calories.” As for the research, it’s been a mixed bag of good and bad news related to diet sodas, artificial sweeteners that contain chemicals, and weight. But a convincing study recently published in the International Journal of Obesity finds that drinking sugar-free beverages sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners may increase dietary restraint. Luckily there are diet and reduced-calorie sodas, soon to be available, that are made with natural low-calorie sweeteners like Truvia so you can try this advice … naturally.

4. Myth: Diet cleanses are important to detoxify your body.

Truth: “Your body does not need to detoxify,” says Gans. Unfortunately, far too many women haven’t heard this sound news. The fact is that products marketed as “diet cleanses” can be potentially dangerous and a waste of money. They’re basically another version of a fad diet with promises based on pseudo-science. Most likely, any weight loss that results from following a “cleansing” approach is short-term. And following some of the strictest regimens may result in fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, or even lean muscle loss; these side effects can be especially severe for pregnant women or people that aren’t 100 percent healthy. Instead, try a natural “cleanse” by simply making your eating plan healthier. Gans says, “Eating plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains provides your body with a natural detox all on its own.”

5. Myth: Acai berries boost weight loss efforts.

Truth: There is no miracle weight loss food. “Acai berries are rich in antioxidants but there is no scientific research to support their ability to boost weight loss,” says Gans. As with all whole berries, acai berries are exceptionally nutrient-rich. And all whole fruits can be an important part of an overall healthful eating strategy for weight loss. So go ahead and enjoy acai berries. But don’t expect taking an acai pill or supplement or drinking an acai smoothie or juice to shrink your stomach or peel off any pounds. And do beware of some companies that market acai products with free, no-risk trials through Web sites; some have been costly scams.

6. Myth: Carbs are bad for you.

Truth: Foods aren’t innately “bad.” Carbs are a good example of this. Says Gans, “Carbs that are rich in fiber, such as fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains, are very healthy.” In fact, a moderate amount of carbohydrates is absolutely essential to your diet, because it’s needed for energy production. Cutting too many carbohydrate-rich foods from your diet can also mean you’re cutting important nutrients. On the other hand, Gans suggests that if the carbs are mainly from sugar, such as calorie-rich cookies, cake, candy, and soda, they’ll provide little to no nutritional benefit and should be limited. Sugar isn’t evil. A thin slice of cake on special occasions is fine. But if it’s consumed in large quantities or in place of healthy foods, then it becomes an issue.

7. Myth: Calories you eat after 8 p.m. will cause weight gain.

Truth: “You will not gain weight if you eat after 8 p.m. and consume only the calories you need to maintain a healthy body weight,” says Gans. When most people claim they’re gaining weight due to late-night eating, Gans has found, they’re usually eating too many calories. A study published in the journal Obesity Research finds that daytime and nighttime calories have the same effect on weight. Though do stay tuned. Findings from a recent Northwestern University study published in the journal Obesity suggests that eating at times when you might normally be sleeping (i.e. the insomniac’s 2 a.m. snack attack) may cause weight gain because the timing of your eating is out of sync with your body’s natural rhythms. And new research at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies suggests that when you do and don’t eat might be important for a different reason: well-defined periods of eating and “fasting” (i.e. not eating) may help increase the level of metabolic, or calorie-burning, activity in the liver. In other words, no matter what time you eat your meals, avoid excessive snacking in between meals. More studies are needed to determine the significance of these recent findings.

In the meantime, remember this timeless dieting fact: If you eat more than your body needs, you will gain weight!

Funny Quote - Wife & Marriage

2010-11-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

“When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep with her.” – David Bissonette

“After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can’t face each other, but still they stay together.” - Sacha Guitry

“By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” – Socrates

“ Woman inspires us to great things, and prevents us from achieving them.” – Anonymous

“The great question… which I have not been able to answer… is, ‘What does a woman want?” - Dumas

“I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me.” - Sigmund Freud

“‘Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.” - Anonymous

“‘There’s a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It’s called marriage.” - Sam Kinison

Legless Parrot

2010-03-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

A guy is browsing in a pet shop and sees a parrot sitting on a little perch. It doesn't have any feet or legs. The guy says aloud, "I wonder what happened to this parrot?"

The parrot replies, "I was born this way. I'm a defective parrot."

"WOW!" the guy exclaims. "You actually understood and answered me!"

"I got every word," says the parrot. "I happen to be a highly intelligent, thoroughly educated bird."

"Oh yeah?", the guy asks, "Then answer this. How do you hang onto your perch without any feet?"

"Well," the parrot says, "this is very embarrassing but since you asked, I wrap my willie around this wooden bar like a little hook. You can't see it because of my feathers."

"Wow" says the guy, "you really can understand and speak English, can't you!?"

"Actually, I speak both Spanish and English and I can converse with reasonable competence on almost any topic: politics, religion, sports, physics, philosophy. I'm especially good at ornithology. You really ought to buy me. I'd be a great companion."

The guy looks at the $200 price tag. "Sorry, but I just can't afford that."

"Pssssssst" says the parrot, "I'm defective, so the truth is, nobody wants me cause I don't have any feet. You can probably get me for $20, just make the guy an offer!"

The guy offers $20 and walks out with the parrot. Weeks go by. The parrot is sensational. He has a great sense of humor, he's interesting, he's a great pal, he understands everything, he sympathizes, and he's insightful.

The guy is delighted. One day the guy comes home from work and the parrot goes "Psssssssssssst" and motions him over with one wing. "I don't know if I should tell you this or not, but it's about your wife and the postman."

"What are you talking about?" asks the guy. "When the postman delivered today, your wife greeted him at the door in a sheer black nighty and kissed him passionately."

"WHAT?!" the guy asks incredulously. "Then what happened?"

"Well, then the postman came into the house and began petting her all over" reported the parrot.

"My God!" he exclaims. "Then what?"

"Then he lifted up the nighty, got down on his knees and began to lick her all over, starting with her breasts and slowly going down . . ."

"WELL???" demands the frantic guy, "THEN WHAT HAPPENED?"

"Damned if I know! I got a hard-on and fell off my perch!"

Devoted to Those Who Like Beautiful Girls and American Football (32 pics)

2010-01-12T04:09:00.000-08:00

Sexy girls with shoulder pads - it is really damn hot.
I like this "American football” !

Emo World. Emo Kids (104 pics)

2010-01-11T04:54:00.001-08:00

Emo is a subculture that came in to our everyday life, no matter if you like it or not.
So, I decided to see who they really are, how do they look, what they dress.
And I got this big cool series of pictures with emo kids.

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A Small Chinese Beggar (14 pictures)

2010-01-11T04:35:00.001-08:00

It's sad to see these kids become begger in such a young age...

Sexy Cosplay Girls (21 pics)

2010-01-10T06:39:00.001-08:00

Wow, I love such cosplays!
Pretty girls in sexy costumes with nice cleavages are waiting for you after the jump.

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Funny Pictures (112 pics)

2010-01-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Emo-Girls (62 pics)

2010-01-09T08:53:00.001-08:00

Well, you can think anything you want about this youth sub-culture but one thing is sure, the girls are really not bad. Not all of course, but many. Enjoy an excellent selection of emo girls.

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The Power of Photography – Girls From Dating Sites!

2010-01-09T00:13:00.001-08:00

You can meet very nice girls on dating sites, but you’ve gotta be very careful when you see their pictures because some photos are very tricky and some girls are mastering on how to make themselves look hot when they’re not!
Here is a compilation of those girls who seem to be hot at first glance.

Coolest Place To Stay And See The Northern Lights

2010-01-08T06:43:00.000-08:00

Catching one of nature’s jaw-dropping light shows, the auroras, can be a chilly experience, especially in the northern hemisphere. Away from the distracting city lights and city comforts and into dark, cold wilderness can be a daunting experience for some. So for those of us who would still like to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring northern lights, but would prefer to be relatively warm, there is a place out in northern Finland, amongst the reindeer, where you can find a field of igloos. Except the igloos here are not made from snow. Instead, the igloos here are made from glass that might be mistaken for clear transparent ice. This is Hotel Kakslauttanen, where the experience of viewing the northern lights can be done from a comfortable bed in a warm room with a special glass that keeps all the heat in. But the star attraction is the panoramic view of the majestic night sky. And hopefully, from your bed, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of nature’s light show, the aurora borealis.

The use of snow and ice in the buildings is a large theme at Hotel Kakslauttanen. In addition to the ice igloo, the hotel has other attractions such as a glass teepee for cocktail parties under the northern lights, a snow chapel for services, and this stylish ice lounge. Any guy in a tux here would feel right at home as a penguin.

Oh, and for the record, (most) Canadians do not live in igloos.

Amazing Holes In Our Earth

2010-01-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

Here are some amazing collection of man made and natural holes in our earth.

Mirny diamond mine, Siberia

The red arrow in the photo below is pointing to a huge truck.

I believe that most people have seen this one. It’s an absolute beast and holds the title of largest open diamond mine in the world. At 525 meters deep with a top diameter of 1200 meters there’s even a no-fly zone above the hole due to a few helicopters being sucked in.

Kimberley big hole - South Africa

Apparently the largest ever hand-dug excavation in the world, this 1097 meter deep mine yielded over 3 tonnes of diamonds before being closed in 1914.
The amount of earth removed by workers is estimated to total 22.5 million tons.

Glory hole - Monticello dam

This is the glory hole belonging to Monticello dam in California and it’s the largest in the world, its size enabling it to consume 14′400 cubic feet of water every second. A glory hole is used when a dam is at full capacity and water needs to be drained from the reservoir.

Sinkhole, Guatemala

A sinkhole is caused when water (usually rainwater or sewage) is soaked up by the earth on a large scale, resulting in the ground collapsing.
These photos are of a sinkhole which occurred early this year in Guatemala. The hole swallowed a dozen homes and killed at least 3 people. Officials blamed the monster of a hole on a ruptured sewage pipe.

Funny Chinese Guy (15 pics)

2010-01-04T06:46:00.001-08:00

As you can see, this guy can be easily noticed.
Well, he really should have a great personality and sense of humor… Just look at his girlfriend!

Best Joke Of The Week

2010-01-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

Wrong mail ID:
A man checked into a hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife.
However, he accidentally typed a wrong e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the e-mail.
Meanwhile... .Somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned from her husband's funeral.
The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting condolence messages from relatives and friends.
After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've reached
Date: 16 Mar 2008
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here, and we
are allowed to send e-mails to loved ones.
I've just reached and have been checked in.
I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you TOMORROW!

Jokes From Different Countries

2009-11-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

Top Joke in Australia
A young man went to his father one day to tell him that he wanted to get married.

His father was happy for him. He asked his son who the girl was, and he told him that it was Samantha, a girl from the neighborhood.

With a sad face the old man said to his son, ''I'm sorry to say this son but I have to. The girl you want to marry is your sister, but please don't tell your mother.''

The young man again brought three more names to his father but ended up frustrated because the response was still the same.

So he decides to go to his mother. ''Mom I want to get married but all the girls that I love, dad said they are my sisters and I mustn't tell you.''

His mother smiling said to him, ''Don't worry my son, you can marry any of those girls. You're not his son.

Top Joke in Northern Ireland
A doctor says to his patient, 'I have bad news and worse news'.
'Oh dear, what's the bad news?' asks the patient.
The doctor replies, 'You only have 24 hours to live'..
'That's terrible', said the patient. 'How can the news possibly be worse?'
The doctor replies, 'I've been trying to contact you since yesterday'.

Top Joke in UK
A woman gets on a bus with her baby.
The bus driver says: 'That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!'
The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming.
She says to a man next to her: 'The driver just insulted me!'
The man says: 'You go right up there and tell him off, go ahead,
I'll hold your monkey for you.

Top Joke in USA
A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course.
One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course.
He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows down in prayer.
His friend says: 'Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.'
The man then replies: 'Yeah, well we were married for 35 years.'

Top Joke in England
Two weasels are sitting on a barstool. One starts to insult the other one.
He screams, 'I slept with your mother!'
The bar gets quiet as everyone listens to see what the other weasel will do.
The first again yells, 'I SLEPT WITH YOUR MOTHER!'
The other says, 'Go home Dad, you're drunk.'

Five Of The Best Animal Fathers

2009-11-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

Some animal fathers have taken other paths–shaped by such factors as severe living conditions that require effort from both parents for the young to survive. Or unusual reproductive techniques like external fertilization (used by fish) that leave males the last ones present–and therefore stuck with the parenting duties. No matter the reason, various animal dads are out there plugging away and raising their young.

Here is a list of some of the top father’s in the animal kingdom:

Emperor Penguin

Emperors are the largest of all penguins—an average bird stands some 45 inches (115 centimeters) tall. These flightless animals live on the Antarctic ice and in the frigid surrounding waters. After mating, the female lays one large egg. The egg is then immediately rolled to the top of the male’s feet. The egg is then incubated or kept warm on the male’s feet by a thick fold of skin that hangs from the belly of the male. During this two-month bout of babysitting the males eat nothing and are at the mercy of the Antarctic elements. When female penguins return to the breeding site, they bring a belly full of food that they regurgitate for the newly hatched chicks. Meanwhile, their duty done, male emperors take to the sea in search of food for themselves.

Sea Horse

The beautiful colored seahorses belong to the most magnificent and most remarkable organisms of the seas. There are about 35 different species of seahorses spread all over the world. The Seahorses is the only creature where the male has a true reversed pregnancy. Male seahorses are equipped with a brood pouch on their ventral, or front-facing, side. When mating, the female deposits her eggs into his pouch, and the male fertilizes them internally. Within two or three weeks between 50 and 1.500 seahorse babies develop inside the males pouch, which are finally living born. Frequently not all of the babies will dismiss at one time from the pouch, but in several phases over some minutes or hours, in extreme cases it takes even one or two days. Several males die a few days after birth of the ponies because of remaining dead babies in the pouch resulting in putrefaction and bacterial infection.

Giant African Bullfrog

This is a large frog, many weighing in over 2 kg. The African Bullfrog is carnivorous and a voracious eater, eating insects, small rodents, reptiles, small birds and other amphibians. The giant African bullfrog is a dad with a very special talent — he can eat anything that he can fit into his mouth. Not sure how much that helps in terms of child rearing, but with over 6,000 little ones to raise it’s got to come in handy sometimes. The South American Darwin frog is also a remarkable dad, thanks to his unique method for protecting his eggs: He swallows them, keeping them tucked inside his vocal sacs for six weeks. When they’re ready to hatch, it’s like morning sickness gone wrong — very wrong.

Jacana

African Jacanas are not known to be monogomous in their mating patterns. A mating pair can have up to 30 clutches of eggs each season, resulting from either the same partner or various partners. The female African Jacana is more dominant than her male counterpart. Females are twice as large as males and can be very picky about who they choose as a mate. The female African Jacanas does not generally choose the same male partner for every clutch of eggs that she lays. This species of birds are known as ‘lily walkers’ because their slender legs and toes give them the gracefulness to walk on the lily pads that blanket their wetlands. Due to their smaller size, males are more graceful ‘lily walkers’ than females. The female African Jacana lays several clutches of eggs between December and April, The clutches may be from a variety of mates or only one mate, depending on the circumstances. The male African Jacana is the main caretaker of the offspring, incubating the eggs and carrying the baby chicks under his wings to keep them warm and dry until the chicks are approximately 18 days old.

Stickleback

Sticklebacks are small fish (2-4 inches) characterized by a row of free dorsal spines in front of the dorsal fin combined with the absence of scales. At mating time, the male builds a tubelike nest of vegetation glued together with a secretion from his kidneys. He then lures the female into the nest, where she lays her eggs. After fertilizing the eggs, the male guards the nest and cares for the young. Sticklebacks are popular aquarium fishes. They are usually not kept together with other kinds of fish because they are aggressive. Sticklebacks are not important forage fish and, consequently, of little value as bait. They feed on tiny aquatic animals.