Health Tips Line

Chances are you almost  always  have eggs in your fridge. Whether baked, scrambled, or poached, they’re one of the most versatile items on the grocery list. You might think the best way to pick a carton is by checking the grade, size, and expiration date—this is what best-by, use-by, and sell-by dates really mean , by the way—but there’s a secret, more efficient way to tell how fresh your eggs are. Interested? Keep reading. How to decode your egg carton On the side of your egg carton, right by (or below) the “Sell By” date, you’ll see a three-digit code. No, it’s not an arbitrary serial number; it’s the Julian date, your fail-safe guide to fresh eggs. Ranging from 001 to 365, the Julian date represents the day the eggs were packaged. Each code corresponds to a day in the year, so 001 would be January 1 and 365 would represent December 31. Once the eggs are packaged, they’ll keep in your fridge for four to five weeks. Psst! Here’s how long your other grocery staples will last . Ac

Did Leonardo da Vinci really paint Salvator Mundi ? The painting, Salvator Mundi , sold at Christie’s in 2017 for an eye-popping $450 million, in large part because it was attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. But some art experts, including Oxford art historian Matthew Landrus, believe that only 20 percent of the painting was completed by Leonardo himself. Citing artistic details and painting techniques evident in the brushwork, Landrus suspects the rest of the painting was done by Leonardo’s assistant, Bernardino Luini. Bernardino’s work has never fetched more than $654,545. Adding fuel to the fire, it’s thought the da Vinci completed a mere 15 paintings in his lifetime . The post 13 Strangest Unsolved Mysteries of the Art World appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2V6jvsa

The word “pounds” does not have the letter L in it. Nor does it have a B. Yet if you see the three letters “lbs” written out, you almost certainly read it as “pounds.” Where did this seemingly random abbreviation come from? Well, it has to do with where the word “pounds,” itself, comes from. “Pounds” derives from the name of an ancient Roman unit of measurement, Libra pondo . This Latin phrase translates to “a pound by weight.” Our word “pound” comes from  pondo , and its seemingly unrelated abbreviation, “lb,” comes from the  libra  part. If you’re asking, “ Libra like the Zodiac sign?” the answer is actually yes…sort of. The word  libra means “weight” or “scales,” hence why the star sign Libra represents the scales of justice. Check out these other explanations for things you never thought about until now . “Pound”‘s Latin origins are also the reason the symbol for the British currency, pounds, is an L—L for  libra ! The currency shares its name with a unit of weight because a B

How much is in a glass of milk Getting your daily dose of calcium isn’t just important when you’re young. Calcium helps with muscle function, works to regulate your heartbeat and nerve signals, and aids in preventing blood clots and osteoporosis, all of which are very important as an adult. There are 305 milligrams of calcium in one cup of milk; the average adult should be getting about 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. Try adding these foods to your diet to meet your daily numbers. The post 11 Foods with More Calcium Than a Glass of Milk appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2ILJDCc

You run the washer/dryer more than you need to “The life of a laundry machine is completely dependent on how often it’s run,” say the tax experts at H&R Block , who provide that information to help inform commercial taxpayers on depreciation and individual taxpayers on budgetary concerns. Try to stick to eight loads a week or less, which they say will “yield an average of a (low) double-digit life,” regardless of the type of machine (front-loading or top-loading, for example). Running only full loads will help to keep your energy bill down, as will these 13 clever tricks . The post 14 Ways You’re Shortening the Life of Your Washer/Dryer appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2CLVM9t

Reopen sealed envelopes To open a sealed envelope without ripping it to pieces, place it in a plastic bag and freeze for one to two hours. Take it out and immediately open with a knife or letter opener. Once it has reached room temperature, re-set the adhesive with moisture. The post 8 Genius Non-Food Ways to Use Your Freezer appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2iBJbxP

Crushing aluminum cans is more than just fun—it means the can will take up less space, right? Not so fast—it turns out crushing aluminum cans is actually worse for the environment because it can muck up the sorting process. “Crushed aluminum cans may fall through the spaces of the sorting equipment and can either be lost entirely or improperly sorted,” Matt Meenan, the senior director of public affairs at the Aluminum Association, recently told Lifehacker . That means crushed cans may end up being sorted as paper or other products, says Meenan, which ends up contaminating the entire batch of recyclables. Keeping cans as intact as possible is best for recycling. Plastic bottles, on the other hand, are best recycled crushed—and with the caps on. Here’s why. There is an exception to Meenan’s advice, however: If your city or town uses a multi-stream or dual-stream recycling method, you can crush away. Multi-stream means that you separate your recyclables, and since all the cans go toget

When was the last time you ordered some chicken nuggets? If you’re like many Americans, it may have been a while. Sales of chicken nuggets have been going down, according to the NPD Group . In the quarter that ended in September 2018, the number of servings of chicken nuggets sold declined by 3 percent. Why? Long a staple of families with fussy eaters, chicken nuggets are now appearing less and less on menus. The reason may be a combination of three things, according to CNBC : health concerns about processed meat, media attention, and new competition. Yes, that’s right. Consumption of chicken strip—widely viewed as a more grown-up and healthful choice than chicken nuggets—is on the rise. In the same quarter that nugget sales went down, sales of chicken strips increased by 16 percent. Does that mean people are trading their nuggets for strips? Not exactly. The nugget-making process was in the spotlight a few years ago when footage that alleged McDonald’s made their nuggets with pink

Alabama: The Heart of Dixie Although Alabama doesn’t have an official nickname, the nickname that’s most commonly used is “The Heart of Dixie,” according to the Alabama state archives. That phrase has appeared on state automobile license plates since the 1950s, although in 2002, the term, “Stars Fell on Alabama,” which refers to a famous meteor shower over Alabama in 1833, also found its way on to license plates. The post How Every State Got Its Nickname appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2N9dSJT

Alabama: no bear wrestling Did you know that in Mobile, Alabama, silly string is illegal (as is confetti)? But no matter what city or town you’re in Alabama, it is unlawful to promote or otherwise be involved with bear wrestling matches. That includes selling tickets to bear wrestling matches and/or training a bear to be a bear wrestler. Funny that Alabama’s lawmakers thought it important to get this law on the books, when here we were thinking that when we see a bear, all we want to do is run in the other direction. Here are 50 of the dumbest laws you’ll find around the country . The post 50 Things You Won’t Believe Are Banned in the U.S. appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2qDZUlF

Though this year's flu hasn't been as bad as last year's, it's still been a severe season, not the mild one health officials had hoped for. It will still be weeks before flu drops to levels needed for the CDC to declare the season over. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2V0oUkw Though this year's flu hasn't been as bad as last year's, it's still been a severe season, not the mild one health officials had hoped for. It will still be weeks before flu drops to levels needed for the CDC to declare the season over.

Researchers found a link between levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in umbilical cord blood and ADHD at age 7. The fatty acids play an important role in the structure and function of the central nervous system. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2HMkUkr Researchers found a link between levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in umbilical cord blood and ADHD at age 7. The fatty acids play an important role in the structure and function of the central nervous system.

Research has linked vaping with increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease and, possibly, cancer. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2FIXvOC Research has linked vaping with increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease and, possibly, cancer.

The bags contain activated charcoal that binds to prescription drugs when water is added, making them unusable. Once in a landfill, the bags break down and prevent the drugs from leaching into the environment. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2FI4jvS The bags contain activated charcoal that binds to prescription drugs when water is added, making them unusable. Once in a landfill, the bags break down and prevent the drugs from leaching into the environment.

People who've had diabetes for a long time are at risk of developing hypoglycemia unawareness: They no longer feel the uncomfortable warning symptoms of low blood sugar. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2WwDRLh People who've had diabetes for a long time are at risk of developing hypoglycemia unawareness: They no longer feel the uncomfortable warning symptoms of low blood sugar.

The study wasn't designed to prove cause and effect, but the data showed that shift workers were 13 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease than daytime workers. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2UhuDoS The study wasn't designed to prove cause and effect, but the data showed that shift workers were 13 percent more likely to develop coronary heart disease than daytime workers.

A person can develop cysticercosis if they swallow tapeworm eggs, which are found in the feces of a person who has an intestinal tapeworm. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2CKc96u A person can develop cysticercosis if they swallow tapeworm eggs, which are found in the feces of a person who has an intestinal tapeworm.

Real reasons to skip milk With food allergies on the rise and so many people switching to plant-based diets, it’s no wonder dairy sales are down . People need—or choose—to avoid dairy for a variety of reasons, says Purvi Parikh, MD, allergist/immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network. A true milk allergy, the body’s reaction to a protein in cow’s milk, can be life-threatening. Others have lactose intolerance, which means your body lacks an enzyme that helps you digest dairy products; this causes stomach upset and may give you diarrhea, but it’s not deadly. Still, others choose a vegan lifestyle that precludes dairy for health reasons or because they want to avoid all animal products. The post 14 Foods You Think Are Dairy-Free—But Aren’t appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2UlfWRF

Eye drops Sometimes, your puffy eyes are a result of an allergic reaction. If you think that may be the case use over-the-counter eye drops and antihistamines, says Dr. Don Grant , MB, ChB, DRCOG, MRCGP. “Antihistamines contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties, designed to counteract histamine released during allergic reactions.” Find out the worst pieces of skin care advice dermatologists have ever heard .  The post 12 Surefire Tricks to Reduce Puffy Eyes appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2JKedkK

Curtains and drapes “One of the number one home items that get missed regularly during cleaning is drapes and curtains. They get exposed to a lot of dust and should be cleaned about every six to eight months,” shares Ryan Knoll of Tidy Casa . “Most drapes can be machine washed on the delicate setting. If they’re silk, linen, or synthetic, they should be dry cleaned.” The post 15 Items You Need to Deep Clean Every Spring appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2Ugv0jw

Diabetes has plenty of early signs, but they’re subtle enough that you might not notice “It’s not like you wake up one day and all of a sudden you’re thirsty, hungry, and [going to the bathroom] all the time,” says Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, a certified diabetes educator in Illinois and a spokesperson for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. “It picks up gradually.” Indeed, “most people are unaware that they have diabetes in its early or even middle phases,” says Aaron Cypess, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and staff physician at Joslin Diabetes Center. Just because you’re not keyed in doesn’t mean you’re immune from problems associated with diabetes, he adds. The longer you go without controlling diabetes, the greater your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, amputation, blindness, and other serious complications. “We recommend that people with risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history or being overweight, get evaluated on a regula

So we know why our clothes shrink and how to avoid this tragedy, but what about when the damage has already been done? You spent more than you’d like to admit on those jeans—there has to be a way to reverse this, right? Well, technically you can’t “unshrink” clothes, but you can stretch them back out to their original form. So, here’s how to unshrink clothes  for each type of material . The post How to Unshrink These 4 Types of Clothing appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2wzpfSG

You feel like you have the flu, but you’re not getting better Fever, chills, muscle aches, and sleepiness are all classic signs of the common flu. But many people don’t realize they’re also some of the first symptoms of lupus as well, says Delphine Lee, MD, PhD, director of the Dirks/Dougherty Laboratory for Cancer Research and Department of Translational Immunology at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “The difference between the flu and lupus is that the flu gets better in four to ten days,” she says, adding that these signs of lupus may last for weeks or months or come and go in cycles. Here are some other under-diagnosed conditions your doctor might miss . The post 15 Silent Symptoms of Lupus You Should Never Ignore appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2EYp834

The tragic scope of child abuse Every year more than three million reports of child abuse are made in the United States, according to ChildHelp. Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver—whether through action or failure to act—causes injury, death, emotional harm, or risk of serious harm to a child. Forms of child maltreatment include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, and emotional abuse. It’s important that everyone in a child’s life be able to recognize the possible signs of abuse or neglect, so kids in these situations can be removed from harm’s way. The post 12 Subtle Signs of Child Abuse That Are Easy to Miss appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2UguWAi

File your hygiene complaints in the round bin Get ready, because these funny animals will have you uncontrollably laughing out loud. “You’ve heard of ‘If I fits, I sits’? Well this is the corollary ‘If its clean dishes, I squishes.'” Got a cute kitty? Check out the 16 pet products vets never buy and neither should you . The post 50 Funny Animal Pictures That You Need In Your Life appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2BzlCfg

How severe are your symptoms? “Both the common cold and influenza can include upper respiratory symptoms such as sinus congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and cough, as well as systemic symptoms including fever,” says Clifford Swap, MD, emergency medicine attending at Kaiser  Permanente  San Diego. However, flu symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe than in the common cold. For more information, here’s how you can tell the difference between the flu and a cold . The post 6 Clear Symptoms of the Flu You Shouldn’t Ignore appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2hQbvwJ

Ever found yourself in the baking aisle, wondering which variety of brown sugar to choose for your recipe? Before you make that next batch of cookies or any of these 12 common baking mistakes , read up on the difference between light and dark brown sugar to see which type is your best bet. What’s the difference? Thinking about brown sugar brings to mind sweet potato casserole , coffee cake, and honey-baked ham—recipes that wouldn’t be the same with plain ol’ granulated sugar. The ingredient that separates brown sugar from the others is molasses , added after white sugar is refined. The darker the brown sugar, the more molasses it contains. For light brown sugar, that usually means 3.5 percent molasses. For dark brown sugar, that amount is nearly doubled—6.5 percent molasses! This helps dark brown sugar have a more deep, complex flavor that’s closer to toffee or caramel. Did you know that sugar can last forever? Here are the other foods with incredible shelf lives. What sugar shoul

New research revealed that patients taking a beta interferon drug for more than three years were likely to live longer than those who took one for a shorter time or who didn't take one at all. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2TDKVnK New research revealed that patients taking a beta interferon drug for more than three years were likely to live longer than those who took one for a shorter time or who didn't take one at all.

Walgreens will sell the CBD products in Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, South Carolina, Illinois and Indiana, according to CNBC. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2TM1SMU Walgreens will sell the CBD products in Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, South Carolina, Illinois and Indiana, according to CNBC.

Studying kids who have varying social and emotional processing skills may help identify the types of social situations that are more challenging for children with autism, the researchers said. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2FI8lnW Studying kids who have varying social and emotional processing skills may help identify the types of social situations that are more challenging for children with autism, the researchers said.

The treatments included electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), magnetic seizure therapy, and transcranial direct current stimulation. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2FCDsQE The treatments included electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), magnetic seizure therapy, and transcranial direct current stimulation.

Reseachers expect that once the lab-grown vessel is implanted, the patient's own cells will gradually populate it, making it similar to the body's native blood vessels. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2Ywm1dk Reseachers expect that once the lab-grown vessel is implanted, the patient's own cells will gradually populate it, making it similar to the body's native blood vessels.

Researchers wanted to find out more about why some children have significant traumatic stress symptoms in the days and weeks after a trauma and while others do not, and importantly -- why some recover well without treatment, while others go on to have more persistent problems. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2TDFm8Q Researchers wanted to find out more about why some children have significant traumatic stress symptoms in the days and weeks after a trauma and while others do not, and importantly -- why some recover well without treatment, while others go on to have more persistent problems.

A 35-year-old Atlanta woman who contracted HIV as a newborn offered one of her kidneys to an HIV-positive stranger, and doctors at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine performed the procedure on Monday. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2CKPkPU A 35-year-old Atlanta woman who contracted HIV as a newborn offered one of her kidneys to an HIV-positive stranger, and doctors at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine performed the procedure on Monday.

A 35-year-old Atlanta woman who contracted HIV as a newborn offered one of her kidneys to an HIV-positive stranger, and doctors at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine performed the procedure on Monday. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2HYopUi A 35-year-old Atlanta woman who contracted HIV as a newborn offered one of her kidneys to an HIV-positive stranger, and doctors at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine performed the procedure on Monday.

In the United States, where Zika cases have occurred in warmer areas in the last several years, dengue and chikungunya could also become wider threats, the study suggests. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2CHm64o In the United States, where Zika cases have occurred in warmer areas in the last several years, dengue and chikungunya could also become wider threats, the study suggests.

And not only does her DNA allow Jo Cameron, a former school teacher from Scotland, to avoid physical pain, it also keeps her largely anxiety-free, too. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2V1gIQR And not only does her DNA allow Jo Cameron, a former school teacher from Scotland, to avoid physical pain, it also keeps her largely anxiety-free, too.

In August, a different jury awarded another man $289 million in a Roundup-related lawsuit, but a judge later cut that to $78 million. Monsanto has appealed that case. from WebMD Health https://ift.tt/2CHBRbP In August, a different jury awarded another man $289 million in a Roundup-related lawsuit, but a judge later cut that to $78 million. Monsanto has appealed that case.

It’s no secret that KFC sells addictive fried chicken to the masses cooked with a special pressure fryer and a “secret” 11 spice and herb blend. But, the company has changed its name to and from “Kentucky Fried Chicken” over the years—and has sparked numerous conspiracy theories as to why. Find out  the things your fast food worker isn’t telling you . One of those popular theories ( that has been proven false! ) is that KFC was forced to change their name because of the word “chicken.” Rumors that the brand was reportedly using “mutant” chemically engineered birds sparked this wacky idea. Outside of chicken conspiracy theories, the company claimed publicly that the name change from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC was to shy away from the word “fried” for potential health-conscious patrons. The official reason KFC changed their name from Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1991? The KFC team wanted to shorten their name! They’re one of many restaurants that have changed their name over the year

Trouble with verbal communication “While babies hit language milestones at various times, if there is a delay beyond certain ages, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation,” says Paul Wang, MD, senior vice president and head of medical research at Autism Speaks. Potential autism symptoms include no babbling or no back-and-forth gestures like pointing or waving by 12 months; no words by 16 months; or no meaningful, two-word phrases by 24 months. Here are 12 things you should never say to the parent of a child on the autistic spectrum . The post 8 Autism Symptoms Every Parent Should Know appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2pbVT6u

Grand prize: Good as gold “Fall is a great time to visit Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. Moody weather often leads to spectacular photographs like this one. I call this shot ‘Good as Gold.’” —Erica Harvey, Rapid City, South Dakota.  Although, you may want to consider visiting in the spring too. Check out these stunning photos of national parks in full bloom .  The post Spectacular Photographs of America’s National Parks That Will Leave You Awestruck appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2zWodSP

Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth It’s an uncomfortable feeling for everyone, but the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth is one of those full-blown weird phobias for some. Some people can handle eating small amounts, but others avoid peanut-based products like peanut butter sauces and ice creams. It can be rooted in a broader phobia like the fear of sticky textures or choking, or it can occur independently.If you think a fear of peanut butter sounds weird, you’ll be really freaked out by these 46 weird facts that most people don’t know . The post 35 Weird Phobias You Never Knew Existed appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2xslxHB

Oxyphenbutazone: A type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) This is theoretically the highest-scoring of all the Scrabble words—hooked to the right words, it would earn a whopping 1,778 points, found Dan Stock of Ohio. But it would require perfect placement of eight other tiles, so it’s never actually been played in a real game. This is why men tend to be better at Scrabble than women . The post 30 Little-Known Words Guaranteed to Make You a Scrabble Champ appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2Rfavzp

Kathy Andersen knows a lot about overcoming adversity. Adopted as an infant in Australia and sexually abused by her adoptive father throughout her childhood, she’s triumphed over more difficulty than most people experience in a lifetime. Featured in Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant’s new book Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy , Andersen related that learning to embrace life and move on from her troubles allowed her to to surmount the obstacles keeping her from success and happiness. Andersen spoke candidly to  Reader’s Digest of her motivation to leave behind the darkness of her past that included her own attempted suicide. “I overcame those dark moments with the realization that I didn’t want my father to win—in the midst of the pain of suicide attempts, I didn’t want him to win.” She continues: “Something inside me shifted into a determination for me to win, to live, and to make choices for myself that would give me freedom and the opportunity to live

This slipper pup The only thing more adorable than a sleepy puppy is a sleepy puppy the falls asleep in a plush slipper. Funny dog pictures and  50 more adorable animal photos will make you say “aww .” Erin Villella, Peachtree City, Georgia The post 30 Funny Dog Photos You Need to See appeared first on Reader's Digest . from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/2MmftYL

Let me preface this by saying that I’ve never really had that bad of skin. In fact, my skin was pretty clear most of my life all throughout puberty, middle school, high school, and even college. Sure, I’d get an occasional pimple, especially around my period, but never had to deal with the daily struggles of acne. Unfortunately, all of this changed when I turned 22 and graduated from college. My mom, who owns a medical spa, taught me the importance of a good skin-care regimen. She initially attributed the painful cystic acne popping up around my chin, mouth, and jawline to environmental stresses associated with moving across the country and starting a new job. My gynecologist agreed and put me on a low-dose birth control pill to help stabilize my hormone levels. And yet, hormones aren’t the only reason why you’re breaking out . While, the birth control pills certainly did help—I was experiencing fewer breakouts—it didn’t clear up my cystic acne entirely. I was left feeling embarras

Eczema: Linked to depression and anxiety The dry, itchy, red patches of this condition may show up on areas like your neck or inner elbows. It’s incredibly common—30 million Americans have eczema—and while it most often appears as a kid, adults can develop it, too. One surprise though is the toll it takes on your mental health, says board-certified dermatologist Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, an assistant professor in dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. “Many patients feel like they’re in a bad mood or they have major depressive disorder. They don’t make the connection that a lot of it stems from having a skin disease,” he says. Treating eczema (like with a prescription topical medication) can relieve bothersome symptoms like itching that disturbs sleep and reduces the stress you may feel about the disease, which in turn, can be a boon to your psyche. Check out these 6 other skin conditions that get worse when you’re stressed ! The post 6