Staying with a doctor you're not happy with is as harmful as staying in a relationship you know is bad because it's easier than making a change. But parting ways may be the healthiest move. Here are nine signs that it's time to fire your doctor. (For simplicity, the references below are to male doctors, but men don't have a monopoly on unacceptable behavior.)
1. You don't mesh. You and your doctor don't need to see eye to eye on everything, but it's helpful if you work well together. If you want a partnership, for example, a doctor who spouts commands is not the best fit. If you value warmth, you may not be able to build an effective relationship with a physician who seems formal or distant. "Some patients like doctors who are very direct and blunt," says Washington, D.C. based family physician Kenny Lin, who blogs for U.S. News. "And some patients can't stand that type of doctor because they think he or she isn't empathetic enough or doesn't provide enough options." When there's a mismatch, neither person is at fault—but it could be grounds for termination.
9 Signs You Should Fire Your Doctor
The most unusual homes you can buy
Mushroom House, as it is known, features connected 'pods'.
Photo: Rich Testa of RE/MAX AdvanceWhen Robert and Marguerite Antell told architect James Johnson they wanted to build a fun, artistic home, he handed the couple a coke bottle with a flowering sprig of Queen Anne's lace. "This is your new home," he explained. Forty years later the cream-colored pod that they built from his plans hit the market for $1.1 million (All figures U.S.) in Pittsford, N.Y.
The "Mushroom House," as locals call it, is comprised of five connected "pods," or housing structures, including two living areas, a patio, a master suite with office, and a guest pod with two bedrooms. More than 10,000 tiles bedazzle the walls, floors and counters throughout. Completed in 1971, the distinctive building has undergone an extensive update and garnered landmark status.
3 diet tricks of people who live longer
My grandfather passed away last month. He was 95—and independent, healthy, funny and mentally sharp, till the very end. My grandmother (his wife of 70 years), 91, is alive and well. At my grandfather’s funeral services, I marveled at the number of folks—family and friends—in their late eighties and early nineties who came to pay their respects. My grandpa had lived a good, long life. A lot of the people in his community seem to be enjoying that same healthy longevity. What’s the secret?Sure, good genes have a lot to do with how long you’ll live. So does chance (my mother’s mom, for example, died as a result of a car accident). But more and more, research shows that healthy habits can keep you living longer and better. My grandfather had a great social network and was quick to laugh: two things that predict a long life, according to research. His parents immigrated to the United States from Italy (so did my grandmother’s) and he basically ate like a Mediterranean: he grew a huge garden and ate loads of vegetables and fruit; much of the meat he ate was lean game, such as venison. He enjoyed fish. Olive oil was, and still is, a staple in my grandmother’s kitchen.
Build healthy bones with cooling cucumber
It turns out there really is something to the saying "cool as a cucumber." Cucumbers literally stay cooler than the ambient temperature around them, making them a perfect snack during a heat wave.
Cucumbers were once thought to be devoid of nutrients. As it turns out, their most nutritious part is the dark green skin, so consider buying them organic to avoid the wax and pesticides that are often sprayed on conventional cukes.
Five reasons to cool down with cucumbers
1. They support proper bone development: Cucumbers are high in vitamin C, which plays a pivotal role in the creation of collagen, a key component in the development of the bone matrix as well as the development of healthy hair skin and nails. Recent research suggests that scurvy is still a health concern; an inadequate intake of vitamin C can cause modern day symptoms of this olden-days condition.
Chinese Rhino Cups Set 'Antiques Roadshow' Record
Chinese cups carved from rhinoceros hornsWGBH/PBSA collection of Chinese cups carved from rhinoceros horns has become the most valuable find in the 16-year history of the television program "Antiques Roadshow" in the United States.
The five cups, believed to date from the late 17th or early 18th century were valued at $1-$1.5 million on Saturday after being brought to the TV show at a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The owner, who prefers to remain unidentified, told Asian arts expert Lark Mason he started collecting cups inexpensively in the 1970s and had no idea of the collection's current value.
Chinese antiques have been fetching strong prices in recent years, dramatically increasing the value of the collection.
"As we continue our 16th season production tour here in Tulsa, we couldn't be more excited about such an extraordinary, rare treasure, and we look forward to sharing it with the nation," executive producer Marsha Bemko said in a statement on Monday.
via ca.tv.yahoo.com
Legacy of the iBook ends with new MacBook Air
With the announcement of new products from Apple on July 20, it was easy to get swept up in the excitement of bigger displays, advanced operating systems and a more affordable MacBook Air. But with each addition to the Mac lineup, there is the inevitable demise of a well-loved classic.The latest casualty? The white, polycarbonate-shelled MacBook, the last holdover of Apple's white, plasticky, toy-like laptop, the iBook.
For those following the evolution of the MacBook lineup, this should come as no surprise. Apple had done away with the iBook lineup in 2006, but preserved its overall plastic-like form in the 2006 MacBook. While it started out with three different versions, Apple reduced the lineup to only one option for MacBook buyers by late 2008. And now, even the last of the white MacBooks has been replaced.
Hey Ya! Kids Make Halftime Dancers Look Clunky
Prepare to be overloaded with awesomeness as two little dudes work their magic dancing to Outkast's "Hey Ya!" on a Wii video game.
Yes, the advent of movement game systems like the Wii have given us a way to get off our rears and sweat off some pounds while staying glued to the TV all day. However, the best aspect is watching others move -- like these adorable kids:
Trust us, what you do when you're playing Wii with your friends may seem cooler than being cool, but nothing's as ice cold as when two little brothers shake it like a polaroid picture.
Clearly their parents are entertained, as they've created an entire YouTube channel devoted to these munchkins. And why shouldn't they? It was borderline unfair that they alone got this great of a performance in the first place.
via thepostgame.com
Family rescues grateful humpback whale
A vacationing family returned home with a whale of a tale after rescuing Valentina — a humpback whale caught in a dire situation.
Michael Fishbach, co-founder of The Great Whale Conservancy, was with family and friends, photographing whales in the sea of Cortez when they came across a young one tangled in a fish net.
Immobilized and appearing to be dead, Valentina had little chance of survival without Fishbach's team.
After the group managed to free the whale from the net, she showed her appreciation with over 40 breaches, a show of "joy, if not thanks."
Michael Fishbach narrates the incredible rescue:
Incidentaly, Valentina was named for the day her life was saved — Valentine's Day of 2011.
William And Kate Move Into New Digs, Formerly The Home of Princess Diana
Fresh from their North American tour, William and Kate -- er, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- have moved into their first official apartment at Kensington Palace in London.Oli Scarff/Getty Images
According to People.com, the apartment is not exactly tricked out with Versailles-level square footage: it consists of just two bedrooms and one bathroom. (Something we have in common with the Royal newlyweds: one bathroom. Except ours doesn't have a sink.)
[In photos: Kate's Canadian tour style]
Kensington Palace -- quite an upgrade from the flat they once shared with college friends at St. Andrews -- has provided shelter for members of the Royal Family since the 17th century. Most notably, the estate was the primary residence of Princess Diana from 1981 until her death in 1997, when thousands of mourners laid heaps of flowers by the palace gates.
The #1 best protein for your health and the environment (and the worst to avoid)
If you’ve ever found yourself arguing about whether eating meat is healthy for you and the planet and, if so, which meat to eat, you now have some answers. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), which brought us the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of the 12 most pesticide-ridden fruits and vegetables, released a report today showcasing the carbon footprint of 20 conventionally grown popular protein sources, from lentils to lamb.To come up with the carbon impact, the EWG looked at the food’s full “lifecycle”—including the water and fertilizer to grow feed crops, transportation of the food and even the amount of food that’s wasted.
Five ways to become happy without trying
While self-help manuals offer countless complex strategies for boosting your mood, the most effective ways to become happy often require no effort at all. As simple as a walk on the beach, or two scoops of ice cream, here are five ways to instantly — and involuntarily — get happy.The scent of nostalgia
Whether it's the smell of freshly-baked cinnamon buns cooling on a windowsill, or a juicy steak charbroiling on a hot grill, a whiff of something delicious can instantly lift the spirits. And while your stomach may play a role, Dr. Alan Hirsch, a neurologist who specializes in smell and taste loss, says there's something a little more complex going on in the brain.
"Smell goes directly to the limbic system, which is the brain's emotional center. It's pure affect of our emotional sense," he says. "So more than any other sense, smell can draw up memories and invoke nostalgia from images of the past."
Lost U.S. love letter delivered 53 years late
A post-marked letter mailed on February 20, 1958 delivered to the mailroom at the …
PITTSBURGH (Reuters ) - A love letter written to a U.S. college student in the state of Pennsylvania and proclaiming "love forever" was finally delivered -- 53 years late.
But the tender note penned in 1958 still waits in the mailroom at the California University of Pennsylvania as officials search for its intended recipient, Clark Moore, who now about 70 years old and living in another state, according to university spokeswoman Christine Kindl.
The letter, sent from Pittsburgh and postmarked February 20, 1958, arrived in the mailroom last week, Kindl said.
"No one here has any idea why it was delayed," she said.
The letter had been addressed to Mr. Clark C. Moore, then a junior at the university, which was known at the time as California State Teachers College, she said.
It included a return address, but little other information about the sender, who signed the letter, "Love Forever, Vonnie."
"It's very much the same type of letter that students today might write to a boyfriend who's away at college," Kindl said. "She ends by saying, 'I still miss you as much as ever and love you a thousand times more. Please write me real soon.'"
Jennifer Lopez And Marc Anthony Split
Jenny's back on the singles block.
After seven years of marriage, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have separated, their rep tells Us Weekly exclusively.
PHOTOS: Jennifer and her adorable twins
"We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to amicable conclusion on all matters," they said in a statement. "It is a painful time for all involved, and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time."
The couple are parents to three-year-old twins Max and Emme.
Crooner Anthony, 42, was conspicuously absent at Saturday's star-packed BAFTA Brits to Watch bash in L.A., where wife Lopez, 40, met Prince William and Duchess Kate with mom Guadalupe as her date.
Skincare 101: 4 Common Problems Solved
For years, dermatologists have drilled it into our heads to nix the tanning beds, get regular skin checkups, and (the mother of all skincare tips) load up on sunscreen. And — hallelujah! — it worked. Now there's a generation of savvy 20- and 30-something women who aren't about to let their faces wrinkle, mottle, or sag before they take action. In fact, a study by dermatologists Dr. Kathy Fields and Dr. Katie Rodan found that 84 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds are afraid of the effects of aging on their skin. Hence the recent rush to skincare counters and, in some cases, cosmetic docs — 2009 saw under-35 Botox users rise to 15 percent. But the best strategy for age prevention in young skin isn't always the most potent. As dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross explains, "Keep in mind that it's best to begin with the least aggressive products and procedures."Photo Credit: Pando Hall
Photo Credit: Pando Hall
So when should you realistically start? "At 20," says Fields. "Prevention is so much easier than reversal. But even if you cooked yourself in the sun from age 5 to 35" — or subsisted on ciggies and Dunkin Donuts in college — "your skin can still bounce back, at least some of the way." Which means (broken record alert!) daily sunscreen, along with an age-appropriate cocktail of antioxidants and vitamins, is nonnegotiable. Here, the best strategies for tackling early aging so your skin can go the distance.
Which is healthier, butter or margarine?
A friend recently asked me which is a healthier choice: whipped butter or a buttery spread. Having a master’s degree in nutrition, I get a lot of nutrition questions, but I hadn’t been asked this one before.Must-Read: Is high-fructose corn syrup really worse than sugar? 13 of the biggest food and nutrition myths busted
Diet Soda vs. Regular Soda: Which is worse?Without looking at the labels, I really couldn’t give her a good answer, so I hit the supermarket to compare products. I found several shelves stocked with butter and the various spreads you can use in its place. I decided to go all out and basically analyze the whole category. So if you’re wondering how to make sense of so many spreads, here’s help:
Butter: Basically, no matter what brand you pick, butter has the following nutritional profile per tablespoon: 100 calories, 11 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat. (The grades, which range from AA to B, with AA being the best, have to do with quality—flavor, color, texture, etc.) It’s a steep calorie count for sure, but heart-healthy oils, such as olive and canola, pack just as many calories (or more); what makes butter “bad” for your heart is its high level of saturated fat—which, eaten in excess, can boost blood cholesterol levels.
Beet juice: It does a body very good
Beetroot juice is probably not part of your daily routine. Maybe it should be. The natural elixir has been getting a lot of press lately, both for its antioxidant properties and its workout-enhancement benefits.Faster and Stronger
A new study out of Exeter University found beetroot juice enhances speed, energy and stamina during workouts. It also helps cleanse the body — Gwyneth Paltrow should dedicate a GOOP newsletter to it — lowers blood pressure and decreases your risk of dementia.
Scientists say the beet’s superpowers are linked the abundance of nitrite in the vegetable.
Nitrite widens blood vessels to increase oxygen flow to the muscles, essentially maximizing the air we inhale. It can therefore reduce the amount of oxygen the muscles require for physical activity.
New cars you should steer clear of
Just when it seemed American carmakers were shrugging off their reputations for building mediocre vehicles and starting on the road to financial recovery, along comes some bad news courtesy of Forbes' list of the worst cars on the road.
According to the list, U.S. auto manufacturers still have a long way to go to catch up with their Japanese competitors - an opinion reflected in Ford's recent plummet in J.D. Power's rankings. Surprisingly, though, while American companies account for seven of the 10 worst vehicles, not a single Ford landed on the list.
Forbes analyzed data from six studies conducted by Consumer Reports, which detailed various aspects of performance, reliability and value. Despite Toyota's recall woes over the past year, it managed to pass scrutiny. In fact, the only Japanese vehicle to appear on the list is Nissan's mammoth Titan pickup truck.
Bat bugs showing up in city homes
Bat bugs showing up in city homes
A cluster of red and inflamed bites on your skin after a night of slumber may not be from the increasingly prevalent bed bug.
Have you ever heard of a bat bug?
A sibling of the bed bug, with differences invisible to the naked eye, the bat bug prefers to stay in the company of winged rodents, feasting on their blood. But bats are meandering creatures who roam from roost to roost. When the nocturnal creatures fly away, the bugs get hungry, and you might be their next best source for a snack.
"Don't panic," says David Wilson, owner of Kreepy Kritterz pest control business. "Get it verified before you react."
There is anecdotal evidence bat bug populations may be on the upswing in Saskatoon. Wilson said he found bat bugs in only two homes last year. But in the past two weeks, about 20 calls to his business for help with bed bugs turned out to be bat bug infestations.
Different bat bug, same bat place.
Wilson hypothesizes this moist spring and summer, which has spawned an increase in bugs like mosquitoes, ants, beetles, and other bat food, is responsible for a bat boom.
To freeze coffee or not? 7 myths about making coffee answered
I really love the whole experience of making coffee: the aroma of a freshly brewed pot wafting through my house, the smell of it as I raise a cup to my lips, the warmth of it filling my body and the flavor—oh, the flavor!Must-Make Coffee Recipes:
Frozen Mochacchino and Recipes for Healthy Coffee Shop Drinks at Home
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake and More Amazing Recipes Made with CoffeeBut if you’re a coffee drinker, you know how much a bad cup of coffee can ruin the experience. Here are 7 coffee-making myths to watch out for to ensure you brew a perfect cuppa joe.
Myth #1: Bulk coffee at the grocery store is the best product to buy.
Oxygen and bright light are the worst flavor busters for roasted beans. Unless the store is conscientious about selling fresh coffee, the storage tubes can get coated with coffee oils, which turn rancid, so be wary of bulk coffee from supermarket display bins. Your best bet to get the absolute freshest beans is to buy from a local roaster (or roast your own). At the grocery store, opt for coffee beans packaged by quality-conscious roasters and sold in sturdy, vacuum-sealed bags.
William and Kate spend private downtime at Alberta's idylic Skoki Lodge
LAKE LOUISE, Alta. - Prince William and his wife Kate stepped out of the royal tour spotlight for about 24 hours and spent their private time holed up at a backcountry lodge in Banff National Park.
The royal couple has been immersed in the intensity of their first official tour since landing in Ottawa on June 30. Their public activities resumed Thursday afternoon with a jam-packed schedule in Calgary, to be followed by a whirlwind weekend to California.
But on Wednesday afternoon after leaving Slave Lake, Alta., where they met with families affected by the devastating wildfire that wiped out much of the community, William and Kate left for a private retreat.
Their spokesman Miguel Head said the royal couple spent their downtime at the idyllic Skoki Lodge.
The backcountry retreat is typically accessible only by an 11-kilometre hike from the Lake Louise ski area, but media reports suggested the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived by helicopter.
3 food tips to beat insomnia
Lately, the only thing keeping me from a full night’s sleep has been the sun blasting through my window at 5 a.m. But there have been times when I’ve spent wakeful hours unable to sleep. During those spells of insomnia, I break out every tip I know to get normal sleeping patterns again…relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, getting into a “bedtime routine” of winding down, even journaling those stressful thoughts that keep my mind jumping. While these tips can help, I’m also interested in how to use food to beat insomnia (after all, I’m a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine).
What do new mortgage rules mean for you?
Mortgage rules changed this year, causing some confusion in the market for homebuyers and homeowners alike. However, navigating these changes is relatively simple. With smart financial planning and saving practices you should still be able to finance your dream home while building your savings.
For prospective homebuyers, the biggest change is a reduction in the amortization period - the amount of time after which, if all monthly payments are made on time and in full, the mortgage loan will be repaid.
Under the changes the maximum amortization period was decreased to 30 years from 35 years for all new government-backed insured mortgages. For some homebuyers, particularly those looking for their first home, this change may make it harder to qualify for a mortgage. A shorter period for repayment will mean that your mortgage payments will be greater. However, this shorter period means your mortgage will be paid off faster and you will save on interest.
Although the shorter amortization period may make it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage, it may be a blessing over time as paying down your mortgage faster will give you more security and more cash to put toward other purposes — like retirement or your child's education.
How much water should I drink? 5 myths about hydration answered
How many glasses of water should I really be drinking every day? And does my coffee habit cancel out my water-drinking efforts?Jupiterimages/© Getty Images
Jupiterimages/© Getty Images
These are the questions I wanted the answers for when I edited the hydration story written by award-winning writer Rachael Moeller Gorman in the August 2011 issue of EatingWell Magazine. I got my questions answered and some really surprised me, which is what inspired this post. So here you go: 5 common myths about water and hydration busted!
Myth or Truth: I need 8 glasses of water a day.
Myth. The Institute of Medicine says adult men actually need about 13 cups (3 liters) per day of fluid; adult women need about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluid. (You get about an additional 2 1/2 cups of fluid from foods.)“But one size doesn’t fit all,” says Leslie Bonci, R.D., C.S.S.D., director of sports nutrition at the Center for Sports Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and dietitian for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Your size and activity level affect your fluid requirements. Simply put, the larger and more active you are, the more you’ll need.
Three Great Ab Exercises You Can Do Without Leaving The Comfort Of Your Couch
Everyone wants killer abs. And everyone wants to lay on the couch all day.
What if you could have both?
Well, you can't. But there are definitely some great ab exercises you can do with out leaving your sofa. So if you're feeling kind of flabby but you really don't want to turn off the game, here's how to have the best of both worlds ...
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Let's start with the pinnacle of all ab routines, the plank. All you need to do is hold yourself in the push-up position for 30-second increments, which happens to be the length of a commercial. So challenge yourself to do one commercial, then two, then an entire between-innings break. Side planks work too. And doing them on the couch actually might give you a better workout because you will need to work harder to stabilize your torso.
Now move to pulse-ups, which are every bit as efficient as crunches and are very simple. Just lie back, point your toes to the ceiling, and "punch" the sky. You can do this one without taking your eyes off the TV.
Finally, try some mason twists. You P90Xers will know this one by heart. This is a move that works your entire core. It helps considerably if you have a weight, so grab a six-pack of soda (or a dumbbell, if you have no imagination) and scoot toward the end of the cushion. Then lift your legs up off the ground and rock back. Now twist, lightly tapping the soda/weight on each side. Do not let your back hit the couch. (And do not open the soda after this exercise.)
via thepostgame.com
Cheers and some boos greet royal tour in Quebec
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, reacts during a cooking workshop in Montreal
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, smiles after arriving at Pierre Elliott Trudeau …
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Well-wishers outnumbered anti-monarchist protesters greeting Britain's Prince William and Kate on Saturday as the royal newlyweds' tour of Canada arrived in French-speaking Quebec.
No violence was reported, but groups supporting Quebec nationalism reminded onlookers the monarchy is still a touchy subject in Quebec, where Britain's defeat of France in 1759 gave it sovereignty over Canada.
One protest sign in English read; "Parasite Go Home" while another read in French; "Free Scotland. Free Quebec" according to Reuters photographers on the scene.
The protesters used megaphones to shout over a line of riot police, but their calls were often countered by chants from the larger crowd supporting the nine-day visit that began on Thursday in the national capital Ottawa.
Monarchy supporters hope the tour will reinvigorate the royal family's image in Canada, which they would also nominally rule if they eventually become king and queen of Britain.
Prince Albert of Monaco weds South Africa's Charlene Wittstock in long-awaited union
MONACO, Monaco - Monaco's reigning prince, Albert II, wed Charlene Wittstock of South Africa on Friday in a long-awaited civil ceremony that transformed the one-time Olympic swimmer into the Princess of Monaco.
Wittstock succeeds Hollywood beauty Grace Kelly, who wed Albert's father, Prince Rainier III in 1956, had three children with him but died in a car accident in 1982.
Residents of the principality on the Riviera swarmed the plaza outside the palace where the ceremony took place, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds during the first of two days of royal wedding events.
Wittstock wore a silken blue jacket with ankle-length pants, an outfit that famed fashion house Chanel created for the civil ceremony, which will be followed on Saturday by an elaborate religious wedding ceremony and a star-studded wedding gala.
When asked if they take each other in marriage, both quietly responded "Oui." The marriage became official — and Wittstock became a princess — when Philippe Narmino, president of Monaco's Council of State, pronounced "I declare you united by the bonds of marriage."
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