BusinessVoice News Network

Baby wipes are great for more than cleaning those little bottoms. A baby wipe does wonders on a dirty keyboard or light switch plate, leather furniture, latex paint on your hands, a whiteboard, or your car’s interior. A baby wipe can also remove your makeup gently and clean makeup stains from clothing. Source Link 

Here are some of the warning signs that you can’t afford your home mortgage. You aren’t able to save money for retirement, travel, education, or a rainy day fund. You might have high credit card bills to cover purchases that don’t fit into a too-tight budget. Or you’re deferring necessary home maintenance because the money isn’t there to pay for it. Source Link

People who are battling high blood sugar may have another weapon. Researchers found that meditation, yoga and mindfulness exercises to deal with daily stress have also helped those with type-2 diabetes lower their average blood sugar levels. The improvement could be as much as some people see by using medications. Source Link

How about a diet that can take off pounds and maybe add more years to your life? Studies have shown that low-fat diets in general can help prevent heart attacks and premature deaths, but one stands above the rest. The Mediterranean diet that’s heavy on fish, vegetables and good fats from olive oil and nuts may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Source Link

“Fridge or pantry?” is a question for many kitchen condiments. Open containers of mustard, ketchup and hot sauce are safe when kept in the pantry, but manufacturers say refrigeration maintains the best product quality after opening. Peanut butter also doesn’t need to go in the fridge but you could triple the life of natural peanut butter with cold storage. Source Link 

The key to effective studying isn’t cramming by reading notes or a textbook over and over. Instead, read once and then quiz yourself using questions at the back of a book or with flashcards that you create. Drawing the information in visual form can also help with retention, and give your brain time to absorb information by spacing out study sessions over a few days. Source Link 

Most people don’t think about foot care until they’re in pain but some common problems can be prevented with a few simple steps. Always wear water shoes around public swimming pools and in showers at the gym to avoid viruses that can cause nail fungus or athlete’s foot. Wear socks and tights made from breathable fabrics and if shoes hurt the first time you try them on, don’t buy them. Source Link

A monthly computer cleanup can keep your laptop working smoothly. On Windows, go to System and Storage to see what unneeded files can be deleted, remove unused apps and tidy up your browser by clearing the cache of temporary data. And do a physical cleaning of the keyboard and screen with a lint-free cloth and a bit of water. Source Link

When your young artist has used the kitchen wall to create a masterpiece in crayon it’s easy to clean off. Make a paste by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water and use a wet, white cloth to gently rub this on the crayon lines. Then use another clean and slightly damp cloth to wipe away the residue. Source Link

What form of exercise can help you beat depression without breaking a sweat? Yoga has been shown to ease the symptoms of depression for those who are on medication and those who aren’t. The deep breathing and precise movements of yoga can release “feel good” brain chemicals and may block others that worsen depression. Source Link

They may not top the list of your favorite foods but some of these are tops for heart health. Broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus and cabbage contain potassium, onions and garlic have antioxidants and beets are a natural source of nitrous oxide, and all can decrease blood pressure. Beans, nuts and seeds and fatty fish are also superfoods for your heart. Source Link

The organization representing America’s pediatricians says your 1-to-3-year old child doesn’t need formula. So-called “toddler milk” often has high-calorie sweeteners, vegetable oil and added sodium. Cow’s milk is a better choice for nutrition and costs less than toddler formula. Source Link

Frozen vegetables can be as tasty as fresh and easy to use when you remember these tips. Be careful not to overcook and try defrosting frozen vegetables in a colander under cold running water instead of using a microwave. You can add vegetables directly from the freezer in soups, stews and chilis and in that breakfast smoothie. Source Link

Remember these tips when trying to tackle that pile of paper documents, records and receipts. Never discard birth or death certificates, military service, marriage and divorce records, loan payoff statements, or retirement or pension records. Tax paperwork can be scanned and saved for seven years and you can shred any receipts after you get your monthly bill statement. Source Link

You can plan a museum trip or take one virtually with help from the number-one web search engine. Google Arts and Culture is a special section that offers walkthroughs of many of the world’s museum collections. Use it to preview attractions before you travel or select the “Nearby” feature to find something close to where you are now. Source Link

Here’s a reason to switch-up your dental hygiene routine and floss before you brush. A study found that people who flossed before brushing reduced more plaque on their teeth. One reason could be that flossing removes more food particles before brushing and that makes it easier for fluoride in toothpaste to do its work. Source Link

Adding a little olive oil to your daily diet could help to keep your heart and mind healthier. Researchers found that people who ate more than half a tablespoon of olive oil each day had lower rates of premature death from cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. Olive oil can be a healthy substitute for butter, margarine and other types of fat used in cooking. Source Link

How do you open a can without a can opener? Friction is your friend. Turn it upside down and rub the top of the can on a rough surface like concrete, a rock, or use sandpaper for about a minute. Wear down the top edge and give the can a squeeze and the top might pop off, or push a knife or other flat tool into the seam to lift off the top. Source Link