rd.com Blog: The Lineup

10 Tips for successful outlet shopping

Janice Lieberman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:26:00 EST

Our Readers Digest/AOL holiday survey found that 74% of Americans plan on spending less than last year and 51% are going to hit the discounters for deals. So I decided to find out if the outlet malls are the places to shop.

Retail analysts say 75% of the merchandise at the outlets is made specifically for the outlets. The remainder may be last season’s merchandise.
Experts say to “know your real estate.” The clearance items are usually on the side walls of the store or towards the back. Hit those first!
Check the labels. The labels may “seem” like they are the same as the retailers but a slight difference tells you they are not. For instance, Ann Taylor outlet labels, have two tiny dots under the name.
Some of the outlet made clothing may not have all the “bells and whistles” as the retail line. There may not be linings, or extra rows of stitches or the highest quality fabric.
The average outlet mall has over 90 stores. Wear comfy shoes and go to the retailers where you know the clothes fit and are complimentary.
Outlet malls are typically 40 miles away from most people. Take into account how much you will spend on gas. Don’t feel pressured to buy merchandise just because you made the trip.
Check return policies.
Saks 5^th Avenue outlet gets its best designer clothes shipments the 2^nd week of September and the 1^st week of March!
You can get a good deal at the outlets. Check the fabric and the fit. If the price is right.you are a winner.
Stop off at the concierge desk to see if there are coupons available for their stores. Also check online before you take the trek to the mall.

5 Recipe Substitutions to Slim Down Your Meals

Liz Kennedy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:53:00 EST

1. Half- and-Half -- It's Not Just for Your Coffee

Recipe calls for: Heavy Cream
Substitute with: Half-and-Half

Love creamy soups but hate the calories that come with them? Me too. Instead of using heavy cream for your soups and sauces, try using half-and-half. If you want to go even lighter, use fat-free half-and-half. You'll get the same creaminess, but won't be loading up your soup with extra calories. And Grandma will still think you used her original recipe.

Try this substitution in our creamy turkey vegetable soup. Perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers!

2. Hold the Mayo

Recipe calls for: Mayonnaise
Substitute with: Fat-Free, Plain Greek Yogurt

We all like to slather mayonnaise on our over-stuffed sandwiches, but all that slathering really adds up on the scales. Try replacing mayo or sour cream with fat-free, plain Greek yogurt in your recipes. It's thick and creamy, just like mayonnaise, but with no fat and more protein. I promise you won't be able to tell the difference, and you will probably write me a thank-you note.

Learn more about the Greek yogurt craze.

3. Creamy Corn for Cheese

Recipe calls for: Cheese
Substitute with: Pureed Corn

In my opinion, cheese makes everything taste better, but it also makes my pants fit tighter. Pureed corn extends the creaminess of cheese in casseroles and lasagnas, allowing you to get the same gooey goodness while using less high-fat cheese.

Try it in our easy one-step spinach lasagna tonight!

4. Don’t Be an Egghead

Recipe calls for: Whole eggs
Substitute with: Egg Whites

This is a standard swap for me. I can't even tell you the last time I used a whole egg in a recipe. Two egg whites or ¼ cup of egg substitute should cover you for each egg in the recipe. No one will be the wiser while eating your homemade cookies, but they will be healthier.

Try it in this year’s Christmas cookies!

5. Moooove over Red Meat

Recipe calls for: Ground Beef
Substitute with: Lean, ground turkey

While I indulge in a hamburger every once in awhile, you know as well as I do that we can't be downing greasy hamburgers every time we get the craving. My healthy alternative for any recipe that calls for ground beef is lean, ground turkey meat. That goes for burgers, tacos, meat sauce, stir-fry, meatballs, you name it. Just be sure to get the lean version, otherwise you aren't saving yourself much.

Test it out in our Basil Turkey Burgers.

Plus:

Check out 10 more healthy recipes!

And take our health survey and enter to win $30,000!

5 Thanksgiving Day Healthy Eating Strategies

Lisa Schneider — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:15:00 EST

Nix the word "diet" - the goal here is simply to enjoy in moderation!

1. Don't "save room"

Excited for the big meal? Can't wait for your favorite foods? Going to skip breakfast and lunch so you have room for all the goodies? Forget it!

Making conscious decisions to eat a bit lighter the weeks around the holidays so you can "earn" a few extra calories at special meals is a good idea, but starving yourself the day of is definitely not. All you'll do is ensure that you're too hungry to make good decisions, and probably eat way too much before you even realize it. (Like I did the other night, when I came home from a 12-hour day fueled by one salad and one protein bar. I inhaled a full plate of food and recapped my trip in about 2.3 minutes. DH's jaw was on the floor - and that was only leftovers!)

Instead, eat a few light, healthful meals or snacks with plenty of protein and fiber - so when you get the the meal you'll be hungry but not starving.

Check your own eating strategies with this Are You Diet Smart quiz!

2. Take time to savor

When you eat quickly, you ingest food before your body has time to signal your brain that it's full. It actually takes about 20 minutes for the amount you ate to really register!

Remember, the spirit of the holiday is to enjoy time with those we love and reflect on our blessings, so relax and eat slowly.

Help everyone else do the same by sharing some of these 9 Funny Thanksgiving Quotes - they'll be too busy cracking up to overstuff!

3. Drink plenty of water

It's common to confuse thirst with hunger, and whether you're putting the last-minute touches on the meal or fighting traffic, it's easy to get sidetracked on this busy day and forget to hydrate up.

Sharing some toasts? Alcohol dehydrates you even further!

Everyone knows the drill: aim for eight, 8-oz. glasses of water a day. Getting bored of the bland? Decaf tea counts, or spice up a pitcher of water with slices of lemon and orange and throw in some mint (looks festive on the table, too!).

4. Plan your plate

Eating smart at the holidays doesn't have to mean skipping your favorite treats. It is a celebration after all! Just sample certain goodies in moderation, and fill up on lean protein and fiber so you feel satiated.

A simple plan: make sure your plate is about 1/3rd turkey (if you have the willpower, skip the skin!), 1/3rd salad or other veggies, and only 1/3rd stuffing, mashed potatoes, and other high-fat favorites (like my yummy but heart-unfriendly butternut squash souffle. Did I mention I cheat and use frozen squash?!).

Just have to sample dessert? It's overkill to try a taste of everything, but do go ahead and take a modest slice of your favorite pie with a side of fresh fruit to fill you up.

5. Exercise

Honestly, that run just isn't going burn enough calories to justify the whole meal. But that's not the point. Taking time to exercise regularly and keep up your routine during the holidays keeps your metabolism at its peak and makes you feel fit and healthy. One healthy habit begets another, so if you feel you've taken good care of yourself so far it will be easier to "keep up the good work" by eating mindfully even at a feast.

Don't have time for your usual routine? Remember that even 10 minutes of activity whenever you can grab it adds up - everything counts!

And most of all, enjoy!

7 Top Baby Proofing Gadgets

Janice Lieberman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:37:00 EST

We all try to be careful parents and grandparents and make our homes safe for little ones. But accidents do occur and sometimes they can be fatal. Here’s a list of some practical gadgets that are not pricey but are a necessity. And even if you have baby proofing gadgets installed , they need to be checked as they can lose their efficacy.

Window wedge ($11.95 pack of 4)
Allows you to control the width or height of your window opening. Stops windows from opening too far to keep tots safe! Works on double hung or sliding windows.

Window cord cleats ($9.95 for a pack of 12)
Helps to keep long blind cords out of reach of children.

Pro furniture strap ($19.95)
Helps to prevent furniture from tipping over.

Doorknob cover ($5.98 for a pack of 4)
Prevents a child from opening a specific door. Must have round door knobs.

Sliding outlet covers ($7.98 for a pack of 2)
Helps prevent access to outlets and comes with a special energy-efficient, insulating seal. Just insert a plug and slide to the right. As soon as you remove the plug, the special cover snaps shut to protect little fingers from the outlet.

Double-touch Plug 'n Outlet Cover ($8.98 for a pack of 4)
This gadget completely encloses outlets and plugs and allows the cords to thread through a bottom opening. It's perfect for outlets with appliances plugged in on a permanent basis.

A Safety Gate ($99.95)
It self closes so if you or an older sibling to the child forgets to close it, it closes by itself.

3 Other Things To Do On Thanksgiving

Lisa Schneider — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:35:00 EST

Whether you can carve out extra time on this busy day or just couldn't make it home for the holidays and are actually looking for something to do, here are 3 great Thanksgiving day activities that don't involve the meal or the game.

1. Volunteer

One of the best ways to give thanks is by giving back. You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit a rehab center or children's hospital, donate blood, or help out the elderly couple down the street by tidying their yard or doing an errand for them. For more opportunities, check out Volunteer Match or Serve.gov.

Plus, use this Thanksgiving Checklist to get organized enough to make some extra time to reach out to others.

2. Indulge

With everyone a little more stressed these days, it's also fair to engage in some well-deserved "me" time. It doesn't have to be expensive or even that time consuming: take a bubble bath, see a movie, go for a long walk and reconnect with an old friend. Have a hobby you never get to? Hunker down and enjoy and uninterrupted hour or two!

Plus, try these 5 Simple Ways to Squash Stress

3. Plan for success

What are your New Year's resolutions? Don't just list them and hope for the best, plan them out!

If you want to lose weight, take the time now to search for resources for meal plans and healthy recipes before the season's crunch time. Take advantage of holiday offers to get a great deal on a gym membership.

Want to get organized around the house? (I'll be working on this one!) Break it down into manageable tasks and make a schedule you can stick to of what you'll do when -- this weekend: shred unnecessary papers; next weekend: give away old clothes.

Plus, incorporate these 9 Healthy New Year's Resolutions as well.

Happy holidays to all!

6 Facts You Can’t Ignore When It Comes To Baby proofing Your Home:

Janice Lieberman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST

I recently invited Allison Rhodes aka “The Safety Mom” to my friend’s home to do a mom-safety evaluation. I reported on her findings on the “Today” show and want to share them will parents everywhere.

1000 children under the age of 14 die from strangulation accidents each year according to Boston Children’s Hospital. That means you need to check window shade cords to make sure they are not dangling and accessible to little ones. Also check for cable cords and wires and have them tacked to the wall.
25,000 children under the age of 14 are injured on treadmills, stationary bikes and stair climbers every year according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Mike Tyson lost his daughter to a treadmill accident. You need to keep your gym equipment locked up and “off” when no one is supervising.
Flat screen TV’s easily tip over and can injure a child. Accidental tip overs have risen 41% over the last 10 years. The Safety Mom says an easy fix is using Velcro underneath the set to keep it in place.
Make sure hand-me-down equipment is in good shape and has not been recalled. Be especially careful with older car seats and cribs.
Position your furniture carefully. Make sure your child cannot climb on a piece of furniture near a window.
There is no substitute for parental supervision

4 Places You Didn't Know You'd Find Animal Byproducts

Meaghan Cameron — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:15:00 EST

While most the U.S. is not vegetarian (including myself) they may still be interested in knowing the unusual places that animals can show up.

1. Candy
Most people know that gelatin is made from animal byproducts. It is commonly made by boiling the bones and connective tissue of cattle or pigs. What they don't realize is how many different products it can show up in. Check out petakids.com for a list of candy without this additive and check labels if you want to avoid it.

2. Wine
Fining is a process of removing impurities from wine with a protein source. This can be gelatin, egg whites or the, so-called "Rolls Royce" of fining, Isinglass. Sounds lovely but it's actually made from the swim bladders of certain fish. Cheers!
See Vegan wine? Isn't it all vegan?

3. Cheese
Rennet is an enzyme traditionally from the stomach lining of a calf used to make cheese. The calf uses rennet to digest its mother's milk. Many vegetarian cheeses use a vegetable based substitute.

4. Lipstick
Some red food coloring comes from cochineal beetles. Yes, beetles. Read more on Snopes.com.

19 "Inside" Shopping Secrets for Black Friday

Janice Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST

You may wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of the stores before Black Friday. I did. So I asked Freeman Hall author of “ Retail Hell - How I Sold My Soul to the Store, Confessions of a Tortured Sales Associate “(Adams Media; $22.95) for the inside secrets on how to get the best bargains for the holiday. Hall is a former handbag manager for Nordstroms and is willing to spill!

20 Inside Shopping Secrets
Case the Place – Check out the store the day before Thanksgiving so you can make a beeline to the items you’ve coveted. Talk to sales associates to get the low down on what will go down!

Know what you want ahead of time – Not everything is on sale on Black Friday. The best deals are advertised because the stores buy them in bulk.

Be Sale Smart – Bring sale ads with you for clarification and extra in-store coupons which also make great leverage for price-matching. Hit the back clearance racks and look for additional discounts, take advantage of early bird savings and look for specially priced door-buster items.

Shopping after brunch? –Yeah right, Think again! – Don’t mock the people that get up in the middle of the night – they’ll be there to get the ten dollar computer and you won’t.

Shop Gladiator Style – You are going into sale war. You are a shopper on a mission – think of this day as the Olympics of shopping. Leave uninterested spouses and children at home and bring teenagers who can run fast. (Gladiator shoes not recommended.)

Do the Black Friday Google -Don't have the time to go through the papers? Can't remember who has what from the ads you saw on TV? Do the Black Friday Google. There are hundreds of websites with Black Friday sale information, like www.black-friday.net where you can peruse the latest sale ads and updates at all the stores. You can also go to your favorite store's website for the sale skinny like www.target.com/blackfriday

Make Friends with an Associate - It's the best way to get the inside scoop on everything. A day or two before Black Friday, check in with them. Often times, they have been briefed on the exact location of all the hottest items their store will be selling, and how many they have. They usually know the quickest way to get from one to department to another. Tell them what you're after. Listen to their advice. Plan your strategy.

Have a Black Friday All-nighter Party - Afraid you won't wake up at 3 am to get in line? Then don't go to bed! Stay up and have a Black Friday All-nighter Party with friends! Make Black Friday-tinis with vodka, blackberry brandy, black raspberry liqueur and lemon twist! And you may not have to wait too long, as some outlet stores actually open at midnight on Turkey Day. Shop all night - sleep all day!

Be wired, not tired - If decide to drag yourself out of bed at 3 am, make sure you energize with massive amounts of caffeine. You know your limit. Maximize your jittery potential without needing Mylanta. Have snacks with you or hit the drive-thru before you get in line. It's going to be a long morning and you don't want to spend it in the bathroom with coffee stomach.

Put it in park fast - Don't waste time circling the lot eight times in hopes of getting a coveted location. It will only take away from time you could be using to get those great deals. As a plus, taking a distant parking space can help you walk off the half a turkey you ate yesterday.

Be calm in the Black Friday herd - Enter just-opened stores cautiously for your safety and for others, not like a stampede of angry elephants. The term "door busters" isn't meant to be literal. Let's have a stampede-free Black Friday. A $25 dollar stereo isn't worth an $800 dollar ER visit.

Stampede tip - If you find yourself in an unruly crowd, try to make your way to its edge, where the flow is lighter. Stand straight with feet firmly positioned. Stay calm and conserve oxygen and energy by not yelling or screaming. Brace your arms out in front of you, creating an air pocket for protection. If you see someone down, try and help them up. Or try blocking other people from walking over them. Cart Blocking - Creatively use your cart to block approaching crowds. If there are carts in your way, ditch yours and start hurdling.

Build Team Black Friday - Find out what stores your friends are going to and build a Team Black Friday. See who needs what. Split up with lists and hit different stores. It can save time and win you your sale prize.

Line Networking - Make friends with people in line. Compare notes. You might discover some information you didn't know about. Maybe you can help each other out. You never know when you might need friendly backup.

Leave Dead Weight Behind - Leave uninterested spouses and others at home and bring teenagers who can run fast and be bribed.

Ask the right person your question - Stores will be in "all hands on deck" mode. In some cases, a cashier might be sent to watch over an item in electronics. Keep in mind that just because the person works there, doesn't mean they're going to know the exact location of every item in the store. Losing your cool because you've been told "I'm not sure" or "I don't know" isn't going to help the situation. It's going to get you pointed in the wrong direction.

Stay Black Friday Focused - Shop the advertised necessities. Things that aren't on sale or the hot items of the year will still be there tomorrow. So hold off on buying the groceries and underwear until later. Every moment you spend picking out socks for Aunt Gertrude is a moment you could be missing out on a $5 microwave.

Leave your Black Friday Diva at the door - Kindness and a smile go along way. Sales associates will be more willing to help you if you treat them nicely. They might give you a coupon you don't have or inside info on shipments. Being rude, snappy and taking a sales associate's head off because the store ran out of an item fifteen minutes earlier isn't going to make it magically reappear, and the only thing you'll get is thrown out of the store.

Don't use Sob Stories and Lying on Sales Associates - Putting on an Oscar performance of how poor little Katie will be so disappointed because she can't have that new Barbie for Christmas isn't going to get you one. Sales associates have heard it all before and they have no magical wand to make your sold out item suddenly appear. At most, all you'll get is "I'm sorry, Katie will have to wait till next year."

5 Websites for a Quick Laugh

Meaghan Cameron — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:35:00 EST

Got a case of the Mondays? Take a laugh break with these funny images and cartoons.

1. Left Handed Cartoons (By Right Handed People)
Changing nearly every day, these hilarious, off-beat cartoons are quirky and irreverent.

2. Lolcats
Cute cats with silly captions. Upload your own crazy kitty. This site is addicting—view with caution!

3. Upside Down Dogs
The orginal site that realized that upside-down dogs look like they are smiling. Try not to laugh at these—I dare you.

4. Cake Wrecks
Take a quick coffee break to laugh at this blog celebrating cakes gone horribly wrong. Also, see the hilarious cake that started it all.

5. Reader's Digest
Hundreds of jokes, cartoons and your funny photos and videos all in one place. You can even submit your own joke for a chance to win $100. Check out these popular slideshows:
12 Funny Signs Seen Around the World
9 Funny Cat Cartoons
10 Hilarious Weight Loss Jokes

What websites do you frequent to boost your spirits? Share below!

5 New Fitness Trends to Try

Liz Kennedy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:46:00 EST

If you're like me, 45 minutes on the treadmill sounds like pure torture. But give me the latest fitness craze, and I'm raring to go. To help you navigate your gym's exercise classes, I tested and reviewed five of the latest gym trends so you don't have to.

1. Zumba

If you like to dance, you'll love Zumba! The class feels more like a party than it does a workout. Set to Latin music, Zumba will take you through both fast and slow dance moves that will burn fat and tone problem areas.

Verdict:

Not only was I hooked on the beats and dance moves after my first class, but I was also drenched in sweat. If the elliptical is getting too boring for you, Zumba is a great cardio alternative. If you like the bench press, however, this may not be the class for you.

Enter our sweepstakes to win the Zumba DVD collection

Learn more about the man behind Zumba

2. TRX

From afar, TRX looks like some sort of torture device, but once you figure out all the straps, you'll be suspending your body weight in no time. Designed by a Navy SEAL, the TRX program will tone your whole body without you having to pick up a single weight. The nylon straps create two forms of resistance during your exercises -- your own body weight and gravity.

Verdict:

I could feel TRX literally working every muscle. Because many of the moves require you to use your core to balance, my abs were sore for 4 days after doing the workout -- a new record for me! If you are a very unbalanced person, you might want to avoid TRX, but for me, I will definitely be adding this to my gym routine.

Watch a video of TRX in action

3. Kettlebells

If you are looking for a cardio and weight lifting workout in one, kettlebells are the way to go. Invented by Russians in the 1700s, these cast iron weights are used by the Russian Secret Forces and U.S. Military. Through different variations of swings and lifts, kettlebells are meant to be an all-inclusive exercise regime.

Verdict:

Kettlebells are hardcore. Your heart rate will sky rocket and your muscles will burn. This may be one of my new favorite workouts because I feel like I am doing cardio and weightlifting in one. Thirty minutes of kettlebells and you are done.

Learn more about kettlebells

4. The Bar Method

Using isometrics, The Bar Method creates long, lean sculpted muscles. By simply using a ballet bar, the class takes you through interval training that focuses on one major muscle group at a time. By contracting and stretching muscles, The Bar Method targets those hard to reach places like buns, thighs, triceps, and abs, with zero impact.

Verdict:

It looks easy, but let me tell you, it's not. I was shaking. Literally. The Bar Method is a fun alternative to a ballet class and I can see how it would get your glutes in shape if done routinely. The same movements are done every single class, however, and that gets plain old boring to me.

Watch how The Bar Method works

5. Hot Yoga

Turn the heat up on your regular yoga practice with hot yoga. With temperatures around 105 degrees and humidity between 30-40 percent, hot yoga is meant to add intensity to your normal practice. Because of the heat, your body will work harder and therefore get stronger. Toxins in your body will also be released as you drip sweat.

Verdict:

If you can't take the heat, get out of the yoga studio. Hot yoga is definitely not for everyone, especially if you don’t like to profusely sweat. I personally love a good sweat, so I really enjoyed the class. It took me a few sessions before I felt fully comfortable in the hot room, but after awhile I saw the added flexibility benefit. Though you are sweating and your heart rate is elevated, if you are looking for cardio or strength training, this isn't the class for you.

Find a yoga class near you

10 Ways to Make Mornings Easier

Lisa Schneider — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:21:00 EST

Ah, to be a morning person. Like my husband, who can pop out of bed even at 4am. (Ok, he's extreme. Actually, he's obscene - who pops at 4am???) Me, I have an intimate relationship with the snooze button, and prefer to communicate with only hand signals for the first hour that I'm awake. So getting myself and two young kids up, ready and out of the house - appropriately dressed, with everything we need - is a challenge on work/school days. Here's how we do it (sorry, no magic bullets, just old-fashioned planning ahead):

On the weekend

1. Check laundry levels and make sure you either do the laundry or know when it will need to get done and plan time to do it. If your kid only has three clean school shirts left in the drawer on Sunday, you really shouldn't be in a shocked panic on Thursday morning when he doesn't have any clean shirts - and you don't have time to wash them before the bus comes.

2. Make the schedules for the week (I keep a big whiteboard calendar on which I mark appointments and activities). And actually look at it! After a couple of experiences picking up a toddler from daycare for a doctor's appointment without an extra diaper, wipes and sippy cup because I was coming straight from work, I now remember to check ahead and actually manage to throw a stocked diaper bag in the car on the well visit days.

The night before

3. Check the kids' school bags when they get home. Or right after dinner. Basically, at the same time every day that works for you, but not in the morning since that is not when you want to first find out that there are forms or supplies due that day. Especially if there is something you need to shop for (this morning one of my commuting buddies confessed that she had to race to the store for mushrooms for her son's class "vegetable" project, all before the 8am train).

4. Pack at night for the next day: kids' homework, lunches, your gym bag, whatever you need should be lined up and ready to go. Entirely unoriginal and the single most effective thing you can do to make mornings easier. It's so worth the extra effort at night to be able to grab-and-go, stress free, in the a.m.

To break out of the lunch box rut, try these fun Back to School Lunch Recipes (and jazz up lunches with these 6 Lunch Boxes You'll Love)

5. Check the weather report, and add the appropriate outerwear - jackets, hats and gloves, galoshes and umbrellas, whatever - to the lineup. I'm embarrassed to admit that once I didn't even realize it was raining until I opened the door to head out, and then a whole where-the-heck-did-I-leave-that-umbrella-I-have-to-make-my-train panicked search ensued. Not a great way to start the day. It's even worse when looking for kids' gloves at the 11th hour because it's colder than you expected.

6. Train the kids to pick their clothes the night before and lay them out (including socks, shoes, matching headbands, everything). Once you agree on the selection, there are no changes allowed come morning. This way they get to make any fuss in the evening, when minutes matter less, and not the very day you have a really important meeting you can't be late for.

7. Keys, charging cell phones, etc. should always, always, always be left in the same place. I try to make sure I put my keys back in my bag, but another popular solution is to have a board with pegs and slots near the door or in the kitchen for keys, outgoing notes, etc. If you have to charge gadgets overnight, develop a system so you won't forget them. I place my bag under the outlet and lay the still-charging device on top, so it's pretty much impossible to grab in a rush without taking the phone too.

In the morning

8. Get up 30 minutes earlier. This sounds counterintuitive, since the whole point of this is to save time in the morning. And I did just go on about not liking to get up early. But . . . I also don't like starting the day in a stressed out haze, and because I'm not a morning person I really need a few minutes of tea-and-breakfast before I start with the kids. Getting up 15 to 30 minutes before they do means I have that moment to catch my breath, wake up, and then face the day. Also, I can hit the head and brush my teeth in peace -- those of you who still have toddlers at home know what I mean!

My favorite tool to help me get up early, especially in the dark winter months, is this cool Sunrise Clock. It's pricey, but I've had it for over 10 years and it really helps.

9. Establish a regular morning routine. Kids thrive on routine, and if you get them into a groove things run much more smoothly. At our house, I notice that if our pre-schooler gets up early and watches a little TV before getting dressed, because there is "more time," we invariably run later anyway because we're out of the routine and suddenly getting dressed and teeth brushed is an issue. When we do everything in the same order, it's smooth sailing. Your routine doesn't have to adhere to any particular order, but it should work for you and be consistent.

10. Breakfast for everyone. "It's the most important meal of the day." According to an AP report, many studies have suggested that skipping breakfast decreases children's cognitive abilities and that children score lower on cognitive tests when they miss breakfast. Think you're not a breakfast person? The same cognitive benefits (or lack thereof) probably apply to you and your performance too! Take this quiz to assess your breakfast personality, and break the cereal barrier with these 15 breakfasts to boost energy.

Have a great day!

5 Steps to Your Next Flea Market Bargain

Angela Miata — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:23:00 EST

Calling all those who love the idea of scoring a flea market or yard sale deal but are too timid to fight for the price – follow these steps to help you master the art of haggling:

1. The Prep Work

Prepare yourself mentally to do a little “acting.” You have to convince yourself and the seller that you are just a casual shopper.

2. The Stash

Have cash stashed in an easy-to-access (for you) pocket. It should be the maximum amount that you are willing to spend on the target.

3. The Approach

Ask the seller to give you the lowest price that they are willing to offer. If it is lower than your anticipated price, then go ahead and make the deal. Done!

If it is higher than you are willing to go, this is where that stash comes in handy. Offer the seller 20% less than the amount you have in your pocket for the item.

You should receive a counter offer that is closer to your price. If it has not matched your stash amount, continue with the back-and -forth until you come to an agreement or are ready for the next step.

3. The Final Offer

Pull the cash out from your pocket and say “THIS IS ALL THAT I HAVE TO SPEND. It is <insert amount here> and it is my final offer.” A smart seller will bag the item for you immediately. Their logic is: Why turn down cash within inches of my hand? Done!

Hopefully that worked and you do not have to employ other methods. If not, read on…

4. The Hard Part

Stubborn sellers may not bite. To this person who will not meet your cash offer, you say. “Thank you, but I don’t really need this anyway,” and WALK AWAY!

Even better, if you are at a multi-vendor sale, walk toward another booth that has similar wares.

Watching you go to a competitor is a killer for a true salesperson and more than likely, that they will promptly call you back to make the deal.

5. The Not-So-Satisfying Deal

Of course, if you really want the item, you always have some less attractive options. For example, you can:

a) Pay the seller’s asking price (least favorable)

b) Come back at the end of the day before pack-up time — if the item is still there, you’ll likely be able to get an even better price.

c) Keep hammering away until you finally get the seller to crack. Sometimes you will annoy them so much, they’ll make the deal just to get rid of you. Hey, it’s not glorious, but it helps you achieve your objective.

Here are some more tips to get you closer to your deal:

> Be realistic about your “pocket” price. If you come in too low for something that is clearly worth more, the seller will likely be insulted or perceive you as a waste of his/her time and be unwilling to engage in negotiation. Suggested Reading: Buy, Keep or Sell?

> Don’t over-express your interest in the target. Gushing over the item adds perceived value to it, and the seller will feel like they can sell it to anyone at the asking price and less willing to bend for you.

> Never dress-up to go to a yard sale. Leave your nice jewelry at home. Don’t be a show-off. If you look like you can afford the item at cost, then you make a weaker argument for yourself.

And some final words of encouragement: At the end of the day there will be one winner — the seller or the buyer — as the buyer, why shouldn’t it be you?

Remember, you are shopping to score a deal, so stick to your guns and get your price. It is much more rewarding that way.

Happy Haggling!

6 Easy Cooking Shortcuts

Lisa Schneider — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:52:00 EST

Let's face it, even if you like to cook (and I do), most of us just don't have as much time as we'd like. These cooking shortcuts will help:

1. Microwave sliced onions before sauteing to speed browning/caramelizing time (this also works for baking or roasting potatoes).

2. When you are caramelizing onions, make double - or triple! - what you need and freeze the rest. (Making extra and freezing is a "duh" tip, but people usually think of making double portions of the actual meal. Freezing sauteed onions works great and saves tons of time from "fresh" cooking later.)

3. There really is no need to start melting chocolate in a double boiler when Duncan Hines brownie mix simply rocks.

4. There is also no need to cut, bake or boil, and then mash or puree squash for soups or puddings when frozen pureed squash is so conveniently located in your grocer's freezer.

5. Other frozen favorites: Trader Joe's pizza crust dough and Pepperidge Farm pastry sheets. They'll pass for home-made, it's up to you if you want to tell.

6. Couscous is an awesome last-minute starch: it takes a good 5 minutes to cook and presents as much more "gourmet" than minute rice (although I'll admit to having used that in a pinch too).

And as an aside, here is my favorite recipe of the season:

Berry Nice Brisket Recipe

(Tip: I add sliced Portobello mushrooms too -- yum!)

Have more tips? Please share!

13 Things People Won't Tell You About China

Peggy Northrop — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:00 EDT

1. In the night market in Beijing, there are snakes, mice, centipedes, and scorpions on sticks, ready for barbecuing, some still moving.

2. When the president of China enters the Great Hall of the People, the martial music that accompanies him is eerily reminiscent of the tune that greeted Groucho Marx as president of Freedonia in "Duck Soup." (I didn't dare laugh.)

3. There are lots of gay bars in Beijing, and at least one reggae bar that I saw, complete with marijuana leaf flag.

4. The Great Wall is the Stairmaster from hell.

5. People really do believe that stuff about lucky numbers and auspicious years. The editor in chief of Reader's Digest China delayed her son's birth by seven days--hanging on in her hospital bed--so that he would be born in the year of the lucky pig. Her staff is in awe.

6. Journalists there will interview you in a group, and then let you check the story before it is released.

7. Beijing traffic is even worse than Tehran's. I saw no blue sky until I got to Singapore.

8. All the stuff I'd read about Chinese women dressing conservatively and in neutral colors was baloney. At both business lunches I attended with ad clients, at least two women showed up in jeans, heels, and funky tops. And one (female) journalist who interviewed me in Beijing wore motorcycle boots--and a tie.

9. American tourists at the Great Wall are often asked to pose in pictures with Chinese families. And if you're black, expect crowds.

10. Chinese under 35 often say, "We can now look at Chairman Mao with a balanced view."

11. To work for the state news agency, you go to college and study "how to persuade people and promote harmony."

12. There are 10,000 magazines in China. A medium-sized title has 3 million circulation. Fashion magazines rule, but local weekly news summaries and business magazines are very popular.

13. Turning 60 is cause for a big celebration (lucky number). The People's Republic of China turned 60 this year. They are investing in their country's infrastructure big time. It would be a good idea to learn Chinese--or at least make sure our kids do.

10 Great Gift Book Ideas

Maureen Mackey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EDT

Looking over your list, checking it twice? Here, some suggestions for making the hurdle of holiday gift-giving a little easier to overcome.

1. HIGHEST DUTY: My Search for What Really Matters by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger with Jeffrey Zaslow (William Morrow, $25.99). Strong storytelling; great story.

2. CHERRIES IN WINTER: My Family's Recipe for Hope in Hard Times by Suzan Colon (Doubleday, $21.95). Reinvention memoir. Uplifting.

3. FAMILY MEALS: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent by Michael Tucker (Atlantic Monthly Press, $24). In warm, easy prose, the author and actor shares personal dramas.

4. U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton (Putnam, $27.95). Her latest Kinsey Millhone detective novel. Compelling.

5. BORN ROUND: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater by Frank Bruni (The Penguin Press, $25.95). Inside a food critic's life. You won't soon forget it.

6. GLIMMER: How Design Can Transform Your Life, and Maybe Even the World by Warren Berger (featuring the ideas of Bruce Mau) (The Penguin Press, $27.95). Accomplished take on design and those who create it.

7. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD-GRADE KIND: Thoughts on Teacherhood by Phillip Done (Center Street/Hachette Book Group, $22.99). Lively; insightful.

8. THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (William Morrow, $25.99). A young African's brave adventures.

9. COME BACK, COMO: Winning the Heart of a Reluctant Dog by Steven Winn (Harper, $23.99). A dog's life, entertainingly told.

10. WISDOM OF THE LAST FARMER: Harvesting Legacies from the Land by Davis Mas Masumoto (Free Press, $25). Personal history, from the ground up.

My 10 Thoughts on Those “Toning” Sneakers

Janice Lieberman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:53:00 EDT

I know you have seen them and have wondered do they really work? It’s those sneakers that promise to tone you up and perhaps shed a few pounds just by wearing them. For a recent story on the “Today” show we had 3 women try out: Reeboks, MBT’s and Sketchers to see how the ladies liked them.

1. All the women gave the sneakers a good rating for comfort and thought they had to work a little harder while wearing them.

2. They did not find them to be fashionable.

3. They are not cheap. They range from $100-$250.

4. A former NASA scientist helped to design the Reeboks!

5. You need to read the instructions or watch the DVD to get the full benefit of the sneakers.

6. I tried the Reeboks. They are very cushy.

7. The sneakers are not meant to be worn to the gym just to be used walking or doing your daily chores.

8. The Sketchers and MBT’s have a wedge on the bottom of the shoe meant to simulate walking on sand.

9. The Reeboks uses technology that mimics the Bosu used in many gyms.

10. The women all said they would continue to wear their toning sneakers. Including me!

You can watch my full report on www.msnbc.com

8 Travel Packing Tips

Lisa Schneider — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:57:00 EDT

I was traveling overseas before I could walk, courtesy of a father in academic medicine who job-hopped between Australia and the U.S., so after a lifetime of long-haul trips I consider myself an expert packer. Here are my top 8 packing tips:

Roll, roll, roll. I thought this was my trade secret until I did an unofficial crowdsourcing experiment (aka asking my friends on Facebook), and 3 out of 4 suggested rolling your clothes (vs. folding) as well. Perfect for anything that creases easily or is a bit delicate, rolling ensures wrinkle free clothes right out of the suitcase.

Military corners. You don't really roll everything. T-shirts, jeans, sweaters, etc. should be folded to the exact same size and neatly stacked. Otherwise all those unmatched edges add up to a lot of wasted space. Yes, I'm serious.

Bag your bottles. Just because the FAA makes you do it now doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Even if you're going by car, if it can leak, spill or stain, sock it in a sealed baggie.

Garanimals. If you want to pack light, everything you take should match everything else. No, you don't "have to have" that one extra dress. And the shoes to match . . .

Do-overs. You can wear the same pair of jeans several times in one trip. Ditto for sweaters you wear over shirts. (You cannot do the same with underwear. Take enough or get thee to a local laundry!)

Abhor a vacuum. Or at least an unused space: socks get tucked inside shoes. Bathing suits slide into the crevices between piles. You get the idea.

The right bag. I used to be a huge fan of Tumi luggage. It's expensive, but also rugged and had a lifetime warranty - which I thought made it worth it - until now. Tumi's discontinued their warranty, and I found several reviews that raved about the Eagle Creek Tarmac 22. Reports say it's lightweight, expandable, costs less than the comparable Tumi and has . . . a lifetime warranty!

Don't pack: anything you must have or can't afford to lose. Prescription medication, eyeglasses, jewelry, passport should all go in your carry-on bag.

Happy trails!