12/2

Hey everyone......watched my first Christmas special last nite!


Today's Brain drain:

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HAS OVER 100 OF THESE, BUT ONLY USE 16. WHAT ARE THEY?


-TV CHANNELS (WINNER)


WHEN IT'S OK TO RE-GIFT

The holidays are fast approaching, and with money being tight this year, the temptation to re-gift is certainly there. So if you MUST recycle a gift, it's important to know the rules for re-gifting ...

1. Think quality. A nice bottle of wine is a lovely re-gift. A scuffed- up candle? Save it.

2. Subtlety and class. Skip re-gifting goofy gag gifts and things with company logos. Re-gifting should still (at least appear to) come from the heart.

3. Avoid getting caught. Re-gifting is OK -- as long as the recipients have no idea! Avoid getting called-out by re-gifting from one set of friends or family to another. Give that thing from your aunt to your neighbor and the double gift from your step-mom to friends who live out of town.

Source: Glamour, December 2009



HEALTHY FOOD FAKE-OUTS

These foods may seem healthy, but Prevention magazine says not to be fooled!
1. Baked potato chips. They're lower in fat, but still high in calories and low in nutrients, with little fiber to fill you up.
Smart swap: Air-popped popcorn.

2. Fat-free salad dressing. These are often packed with sugar, which means lots of calories. Plus, you need a little fat to absorb some vitamins and other nutrients.
Smart swap: Oil-based dressings (you'll get good fats instead of the saturated fat in most creamy dressings).

3. Low-fat cookies. Most low-fat snacks are made with extra sugar, which means they often have just as many calories as the full-fat version!
Smart swap: Oatmeal cookies -- a great way to indulge your craving while getting whole grains and fiber.

4. 100-calorie packs. A recent study shows that people eat more calories if the portions are presented in small sizes.
Smart swap: A small serving of almonds -- their healthy fat, fiber and protein will tide you over till your next meal.

5. Vitamin Water. At up to 200 calories per bottle, just one of these a day can cause a 20-pound weight gain over a year.
Smart swap: Calorie-free flavored water.




'TIS THE SEASON: Avoiding Swine Flu Under The Mistletoe

We're living in strange times. Even though it's a festive season, filled with parties, hugs and handshakes, many people are paranoid that they're going to get the swine flu.
So, instead of hanging around the mistletoe, they're steering clear.
It doesn't have to be this way. Here are some pointers on how to kiss under the mistletoe -- and not get the swine flu.
Simply avoid a full festive kiss on the lips. Instead, try polite "social kissing," like a quick peck on the cheek.
It's also just good manners to not leave a saliva trace, air kiss or make any "mwah" sounds.
Believe it or not, it's actually safer to give someone a peck on the cheek than to shake hands with them.

Source: DNAIndia.com




ON THE TUBE: Wednesday

Regis & Kelly (synd) -- Morgan Freeman (Invictus)
The View (ABC) -- Kristin Chenoweth (The 12 Men of Christmas), gossip monger Perez Hilton
Ellen DeGeneres (synd) -- Matt Dillon (Armored), Ashley Greene (New Moon)
Bonnie Hunt (synd) -- Kellan Lutz (New Moon)
Jay Leno (NBC) -- Dane Cook
David Letterman (CBS) -- Amanda Peet (repeat)
Conan O'Brien (NBC) -- Jenny McCarthy (Santa Baby Two: Christmas Maybe)
Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) -- Matt Dillon (Armored)
Craig Ferguson (CBS) -- Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Stoning of Soraya M.)
Jimmy Fallon (NBC) -- Taylor Lautner (repeat)
Carson Daly (NBC) -- Chris Kattan (repeat)
George Lopez (TBS) -- Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory)
A-&-E has a pair of law-and-order season premieres -- Dog the Bounty Hunter and Steven Seagal: Lawman.
Conspiracy Theory With Jesse Ventura ramps up on Tru T-V.
The Grammy Nominations Concert Live airs on C-B-S with performances from The Black Eyed Peas, Nick Jonas and Sugarland.

Have a great Wednesday
RC