One suggestion was to call your credit card company and tell them that you are planning to take your balance and move it to another credit card.   They will want to keep you as a company so they will probably be up for negotiating a better interest rate on your existing account.  This works best, of course, if you have a good credit rating and your payments are up-to-date.  You can use similar tactics with cable and cell phone companies which could save you up to $46 every month!

At the grocery store, plan to shop only once a week and bring a list since the things that cost most are the “impulse buys” when you don’t go in there with what you need already in mind.  They also suggested splitting a Costco membership with a friend or family member so that you can share the savings.

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The Today show took a look at the trend and spoke with Dr. Ian Smith, the author of The 4 Day Diet, about it.  He explained that many of the popular cleanses that a lot of celebrities use are not very healthy.  He went on to say that in order to really detoxify your body, you need to stimulate your liver.   A nutritionist for the New York Giants said that our biggest problem is that we bog down our diet by overeating bad food. 

The main suggestion is that, instead of taking supplements or doing colonics/laxatives, we need to help our body cleanse itself naturally by eating nutrient-rich foods.  It was an interesting segment (even though the experts seemed to be speaking over each other) so, if this is a topic that you’ve been wondering about, it’s worth watching!

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The first woman said that she and her husband are truck drivers and they basically live in their truck.  Since they don’t have much time for exercise, she wondered what they could do to to get healthy.  Jillian said that it’s very important to watch what you eat when you live a sedentary lifestyle.  She suggested bringing your own food, picking better restaurants and being high-maintenance with your food by asking that it be grilled or by putting the dressing on the side.

One new mom explained that she’s tired a lot of the time and she wondered what the best energy-boosting foods were and what types of exercises might work best for her.  Jillian said to stay away from processed foods and sugars while consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, organic protein and at least 80 ounces of water per day.  Up to 200mg of caffeine today is equivalent to 75 minutes of sleep and can be great for cognitive functioning. 

Watch the segment (more questions and answers in the video!).

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On the Today show, they provided some tips for keeping those surprise visitors from starving!  They created the following dishes:

• Classic pesto
• Tomato and mozzarella salad
• Grilled vegetables

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The tips are to avoid sugar and try to eat a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids (which can protect against heart disease), spinach (the magnesium helps prevent migraines and headaches), almonds are packed with vitamins B and E (helps boost immune system), walnuts, pistachios and avocado help lower blood pressure and dark chocolate and tea (both can have calming effects).  Watch the segment:

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In a nutshell, here are the things to think about when selecting a wine:

1. Flavor: Is it sweet, sour, bitter, salty, dry, or hot?
2. Texture: Is it minerally like water from a stream or oily like, well, olive oil?  Is it light like water or heavy like Guinness?
3. Balance: does it feel like the all parts of the wine are working together or is something standing out?  
4. Length: This refers to how long you can taste the wine after you’ve swallowed it.

For a better idea, watch the segment with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford:

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What’s the best time of day to exercise?  Nutritionist Joy Bauer recognized that it might be tough to come home after a long work day, eat a big meal and then exercise on a full stomach.  Instead, she suggested planning for a light snack which would allow you to work out before your meal.  Another sneaky suggestion was to park 15 minutes away from work so that you end up getting a full 30 minutes of exercise every day as you walk back and forth to your vehicle. 

She also talked about the difference between brown rice and white rice, low-calorie alcoholic drinks and the best options for food on the road.

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They mentioned some warning signs to look out for.  Consider seeing your medical professional if you experience any of the following:

• Inability to bear weight
• Rapid knee swelling
• Inability to bend your knee
• Persistent pain for more than two weeks

They didn’t really give many suggestions for what to do to make knee pain more bearable but it is good to identify the signs that things could be wrong.

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Here’s a list of the items Jill mentioned:

• “You Warm My Heart” hot cocoa from www.fredflare.com.  Enjoy this delicious treat (including the adorable hearts inside the hot chocolate!) for just $8!
• Get some gold-plated bling from Diamonds by the Yard (starts at $95) -www.jewelsbyjen.com
• For the man in your life, check out this heated jacket from www.Brookstone.com.  Retails for $149.
• If you love movie night, consider buying an old-fashioned popcorn maker (I got one last year!) from www.skymall.com for  $99.
• Order some personalised cookies starting from $42 (for a dozen) at www.gumdropcookieshop.com.
• For $39.99 you can pick up a chocolate fondue fountain from www.skymall.com
• Kids might love the Lego inspired speakers that can be attached to your iPod.  They cost $25 from www.fredflare.com
• Are you a wine lover?  Consider the cork candle holder (2 for $22) from www.wisteria.com
• Create a FREE slideshow from your favorite photos on www.snapfish.com

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Would you like to get away from the daily grind but aren’t sure you can afford it?  The struggling economy might actually help you get a deal!  Airlines and resorts have been slashing prices and offering packages to help the travel industry continue to flourish. 

The editor of Travel and Leisure magazine had some great suggestions:

• Pick up the phone and ask for a bargain!  He said that people are getting free nights at hotels and more simply because they decided to ask for a better deal.
• The Inn at the Alameda is offering a 3 night getaway for two for just $447.  The price includes daily breakfast, wine and cheese and one massage per person.  That’s incredible!
• The Chelsea Hotel is the first non-casino to open in Atlantic City in years and they are offering potential guests a great bargain.  Their “Lots of Leisure” package includes 3 nights of accommodation for $597 and includes day passes to the spa sauna/steam room/Jacuzzi, dinner for two and breakfast.
• Check out the Teton Springs Lodge’s “Romance Package” ($484) which includes 3 nights at the lodge, breakfast, spa treatment for two and a sleigh ride dinner for two!  Wow!
• Get a 10-day Caribbean cruise through Holland America Cruises for just $849 per person!  You’ll be treated to deluxe accommodations that include entertainment and meals!  Incredible!
• Want to see Europe?  Check out this incredible Barcelona Fly and Stay Package that costs $599 and includes airfare and 4 nights at the HCC Covadonga Hotel.  It’s offered through TourCrafters.com.  That’s amazing!

Good luck and happy traveling!

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