10 Commandments of NEW YEARS' Resolutions

1. Make it personal. A resolution is the act of making change, and that only happens when you lean into something that really matters to you.
2. Simplify. You don't need flashy clothes, expensive equipment or a complicated plan—you just need to take action, get moving and make it fit your lifestyle.
3. Be realistic. It's okay to think big, as long as you start small. The number one reason for resolution drop out is launching into doing too much, too soon and making too drastic a transition from where you were when you started. Start with getting in one workout, and then focus on the next and the next. Focus on what you can do today, and go from there.
4. Go deeper. Avoid pinning your target on a number. Losing 25 pounds, finishing the race 10 minutes faster—these are all external outcomes. Wrap your goal around something intimate and achievable like sleeping more hours, weaving clean foods slowly into your diet, improving your pacing skill to finish stronger. It's not about a number—it's about a deeper quality of life. When you focus inward, the outcomes happen naturally.
5. Think evolution not revolution. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a fitness goal. You can build a stick house in a day, but it will only protect you until the very first storm hits. Don't get caught up in all the short-term hype—invest in the long term.
6. Start when you're ready. There is no clause stating you must start when everyone else does on January 2. Make your plan, put it on your calendar and start when you're ready.
7. Be open. Listen to what speaks to you along the way. You may find that new Zumba class you're taking keeps your body from aching and adds a fresh spin on the old plan. Create your own recipe along the way and move outside the lines. You'll avoid burnout and have more fun (and want to do it again and again).
8. Find your flow. As much as we like to believe our bodies are linear-progressing super heroes, the truth is we're like the seasons. We ebb and flow through peaks and valleys of energy. Move with the rhythm of your personal flow and you'll make the most of every workout. That means running by feel rather than a pace. Some days you'll be faster, some days you'll be slower. It's not about a pace—it's about moving at the right effort on that day.
9. Connect. People that move together evolve together. They go longer, run stronger and have a lot of fun along the way. Join a buddy or group—you'll learn a lot, have a built accountability resource and a set of healthy role modeling friends.
10. Celebrate. Be mindful along the way. The true gifts of making serious change in your life are the quiet moments when you realize you feel better, move more easily and you're running in tune with the rhythm of your life.

ALL BEST TO YOU FOR A TERRIFIC 2012 !!!

Q. Should We Buy a House Near/On a Busy Road?

Q. We think that is a perfect house at a great price, but the fact that it backs on a busy road is a concern to us. Although we don't mind noise too much, we are worried about resale values. Should we just keep looking?
--Sandy and Jack
A. Possibly. Problems with a property that you can't control—particularly those involving location—should always give you pause. And even though somewhere in the universe other buyers exist who, like you, don't mind road noise, most buyers do. So if you buy this house, realize that you will always be at a disadvantage when you try to sell. It will take longer to find those buyers who don't care about traffic's noise, fumes and grime, and you will undoubtedly have to sell at a discount to make up for the drawbacks.
According to Hofstra University's Department of Global Studies and Geography, impact analyses show that road noise causes property values to fall 8% to 10%. But the figure could be less or more, depending on the road's use and speed limit; whether or not traffic sound barriers or walls exist or are planned; and how much vegetation exists.
Superhighways are more noxious than secondary roads not just because they are more heavily traveled but because faster cars are noisier. Concrete barriers are ugly, even when they are planted with ivy, and block light, but are fairly effective in blocking noise. Greenery is prettier, but its ability to reduce noise is limited. According to the Federal Highway Administration, only tall plantings that are too dense to be seen through offer any protection. And to reduce road noise just by half, it must be 200 feet wide—a much wider strip than exists along most road landscape buffers.
Before you make an offer, you should visit the property during rush hour and off times to gauge just how loud the traffic is. Also, check the house's sales history on Trulia.com to see how its value has held up compared with comparable ones that don't back to a road.
If you do buy the house, some upgrades can make the interior quieter, such as thick carpets and drapes, acoustical panels and sound-reducing windows, such as hurricane windows. Outside, fountains or burbling waterfalls can mask road noise a bit. But accept that your backyard barbecues will always be a road show.

Eating Right During the Holidays

Yes, they are about to be upon us. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Channukah, and New Years!

And, yes, we love the Holiday Season but we all know how it can ruin healthy eating routine.

Here are 6 TIPS FOR AVOIDING HOLIDAY OVER-INDULGENCE.

1. Don't arrive on an empty stomach!

    Although you may be tempted to skip lunch so you can splurge on dessert.... Don't! Have a bowl  of cereal, veggie sticks, fresh fruit, a salad, a handful of nuts, yogurt ... something before you arrive at the party.

2. Offer to bring a healthy dish.

    This strategy not only provides you with a good menu option, but your host will likely appreciate your help.

3. Avoid excess alcohol and snacks.

    Save your calories for the main meal. Alcohol provides many calories and virtually no nutrients. Also, try not to sit within arm's reach of any tempting snack food.

4. Select small portions.

     Moderation is the key. Selecting small portions allows you to control your caloric intake yet enjoy different items offered. If you really crave that great looking high-calorie item, go ahead and treat yourself with a small portion.

5. Eat slowly.

    Take your time and enjoy the taste of what you are eating. Pace yourself and try to be the last to finish. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to get the message from your stomach that you are full. Give yourself a chance to know that you're full. You'll be less likely to raid the dessert table.

6. Leave the table when you are done.

    If you linger at the table, you may be tempted to continue eating after you are full. Offer to help with the dishes, clear the table or, if you can, take a walk.

Let's enjoy our holidays

without the guilt and regrets on January 2nd!



10 BEST AB EXERCISES

Number 10

Reaching crunch on ball

Instructions: Sit on a Swiss ball with your feet shoulder-width apart on the floor. Lean back, so that your back is almost parallel to the floor. Straighten your arms and point them toward the ceiling. Contract your abs, as you would for a crunch, while you reach for the ceiling with your fingertips. Hold the contracted position for three seconds. Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position. Do 10 reps.

Number 9

Twist and crunch

Instructions: Place a mat on the floor and lie down on your back, with your hands by your ears and your legs perpendicular to the floor. Twist your hips slightly by contracting your left oblique muscles; hold that position. Using your abs, bring your right elbow across your body to the outside of your left knee. Slowly return to the starting position. Repeat the movement on your right side. Do 10 reps.

Number 8

Russian twist

Instructions: Sit on a decline bench, with your legs firmly under the pads. Lean back slightly, so that your thighs and torso form a 90° angle. Extend your arms in front of you, so that they form a 90° with your torso, and clasp your hands together. Keeping your back straight, your chest out and your arms straight, make a semi-circle with your arms. With your abs flexed, move as far as you can from right to left and left to right, and do the motion as quickly as you can without sacrificing proper form or range of motion. Work your way up to 60 seconds of continuous movement.
Number 7

Hip raise/leg raise

Instructions: Lie down on a flat bench with your legs up and perpendicular to the bench (hold the bench behind your head for stability). Lift your hips slightly off the bench by contracting your lower abs, hold for three seconds, and lower your hips. Keep your back flat on the bench, your legs straight and lower your legs until they almost form a straight line with the rest of your body. Hold for a count of three and bring them back to the starting position. Do 10 reps.

Number 6

Woodchop

Instructions: Add some weight (try 25 pounds) to a multipurpose pulley machine and grasp the handle attachment at shoulder height with your left hand. Square yourself to the machine and take a few steps to the right (away from the machine) until there is sufficient tension. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bring your right arm across your body, and clasp your hands together while holding the handle. Keeping your arms straight and at shoulder-height, use your abs to bring your arms across your body, as though you were making a woodchopping motion. Bring them back to the starting position. Do 10 reps on each side for the excellent core workout.

Number 5

Jackknife

Instructions: Place a mat on the floor, lie down on your back and extend your arms above your head. Simultaneously lift your arms and legs toward the ceiling, until your fingertips touch your toes (if you can). Slowly return to the starting position. Do 10 reps.

Number 4

Windshield wipers

Instructions: Place a mat on the floor and lie on on your back with your arms in the "T" position for stability. Lift your legs so that they are perpendicular to the floor and rotate your hips, keeping them in contact with the floor, so that your legs move from left to right, in a "windshield wiper" motion. Make sure to move in a slow and controlled manner. Do 10 reps.

Number 3

Reverse crunch

Instructions: Lie down on a bench with your knees bent and your upper legs at a 90° angle with your torso; grab the bench above your head for stability. Use your ab muscles to pull your knees toward your chest until they reach your elbows. Hold the crunch position for three seconds and return to the starting position. Do 10 reps.

Number 2

Side crunch on ball

Instructions: Firmly place your right hip on a Swiss ball and lean into the ball; ensure that your torso is off the ball. Support yourself by pressing the soles of your feet against the bottom of a wall. Place your hands by your ears, and contract your left oblique muscles, lifting your torso up as far as you can. Hold for three seconds and release. Do 10 reps and repeat on the opposite side.

Number 1

Front plank on ball

Instructions: Rest your elbows on a flat bench and the balls of your feet on an exercise ball. Contract your abs so that your body is parallel to the floor and there is no dip in your lower back. Hold the plank position for 60 seconds. 

Buyers' Market in Housing Continues....

A new Gallup poll shows that 67% of Americans feel now is a "good time" to buy a house -- similar to the 72% of April 2010 and the 71% of April 2009. The findings, from a Gallup poll conducted Jan. 7-9, 2011, suggest Americans are holding on to perceptions of a buyer's market despite the challenges of securing financing and observers' concerns about the potential for a housing "double-dip."

Overall, there is good reason for most Americans to think now is a good time to buy a house. Interest rates remain near historic lows. Home prices are down sharply, providing many incredible buys. There is a huge supply of unsold homes and more to come as home foreclosures hit record highs -- suggesting that the bargains could get even better as the year unfolds.
It should be noted that today's perceptions that now is a good time to buy a house are based on significantly different housing market conditions than prevailed in 2003-2005. During that prior period, the timing was good to buy a home because 70% of Americans thought home prices were going higher, the housing finance system made financing relatively easy, and one could routinely sell one's current home at a good profit.
In retrospect, the sharp decline in housing price expectations from 2007 to 2008 may have been a good indication that many Americans saw the now-infamous housing bubble forming in their local markets before many observers recognized it on the national scene. In this regard, Americans' subdued expectations on whether local-market housing prices will increase this year might indicate that housing still has a way to go before it recovers.

A Broken Housing Finance Market Provides Careful Buying Opportunities
Today, the housing finance system is broken and works in favor of cash buyers and buyers with perfect credit. The collapse and government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac created a government-run housing finance system dominated by these two fully federalized agencies, together with the FHA/VA. The current housing market is thus effectively limited to potential buyers who can meet the loan qualifications of these housing finance entities or who have enough money to buy without a loan. Further, even qualified buyers are often limited by the need to find a buyer who can meet the same conditions to purchase their current home. As a result, although many feel this is a good time to buy, relatively few can take advantage of the situation.
However, this new Gallup poll also suggests that even Americans who can take advantage of current housing conditions to buy a home at a great price should be careful. One doesn't need to believe national housing prices will fall another 20% or anticipate another sharp housing decline -- a so-called housing double-dip -- to feel it necessary to exercise caution when buying in today's housing market. One in four Americans say they expect home prices in their communities to decline in 2011. And in a separate question, Gallup finds an even greater 42% who are worried that their own house will lose value -- another troubling sign for potential buyers and for the housing outlook overall.
Given these uncertainties, potential home buyers might want to avoid thinking about a home purchase right now as an investment. Because both the U.S. housing finance system and, most likely, the structure of the housing market are likely to change significantly during the years ahead, it may at best be a "good time" for Americans to buy a home as a place to live.

5 Tips for Staying in Shape over Labor Day Weekend

Everyone knows staying in shape is hard, but if you apply these five tips, you might survive this holiday weekend without tipping the scales.

 

Taking the time to do what is necessary to stay fit can be a serious pain, especially on your day off. But if you apply these five tips for staying in shape during this Labor Day weekend, you may find that the rest of your week, and possibly year, will go a lot smoother.

• Work out over the weekend.

This bit of advice is probably the most likely to be ignored, and the last thing anyone wants to do on a holiday weekend. But one of the biggest complaints people have about working out is finding the time. A three-day weekend is a perfect opportunity to catch up, or work ahead on exercise, as it offers a day off between work outs if you work out every other day (as you should). Having to exercise after working all day is something that almost no one wants to do, so use this precious time to crank out a little cardio now, so you don’t have to do it during the week.

• Don’t go crazy with the food.

There is something about holidays, even ones that are devoid of any association with food or indulgence, that make people want to eat truckloads of fatty foods. A study conducted by health psychology researchers Raymond C. Baker and Daniel S. Kirschenbaum found that when they monitored the weight fluctuations of 36 women and six men, the subjects gained 500 percent more weight over the holidays I’m not saying don’t eat; just don’t eat enough to become 500 percent fatter.

• Work ahead.

Many studies, including one conducted by the University of California in 2007, link weight gain to stress. So it logically follows that the less stressed you are, the easier it’s going to be to avoid overeating. Getting ahead on your work before the weekend arrives means you won’t have to suffer the crunch of the four-day work week that will inevitably follow the holiday. This will also help to keep your mind off of work so you can enjoy yourself.

• Take it easy on the sauce.

It’s no secret that most people do their drinking on the weekends. And the longer the weekend is, the more drinking that’s likely to occur. Alcoholic beverages can have pretty high calorie counts depending on what you’re drinking. A single 12-ounce bottle of most beers will run you 100 calories and one shot of distilled liquor can hover around the same. And no one ever stops with only one shot or bottle of beer. Pick out one day during the weekend to go nuts, but lay off after that. You can still get plastered (if that's what you're into) and you’ll likely drink significantly less than if you drank moderately every day of the weekend.

• Pace yourself.

If you are just beginning a weight loss regime, no matter what time of year it is, it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as fast results. With perseverance, the weight will come off, if indeed that is what you’re trying to accomplish. But don’t starve yourself or completely deprive yourself of things you enjoy or you will fail. In fact, if you have already been on a weight loss program for a while, the Labor Day weekend might just be the perfect time to give yourself a break and cheat a little.
At the end of the day, nobody needs a six-pack. But even if you aren’t dieting, watching what you eat over the holidays will help you keep from gaining a lot of weight in the long run. Be happy, be healthy and enjoy your holiday weekend.

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOUSE FASTER

Ask any realtor and they'll tell you: houses that sell within the first five weeks of their listing are most likely to fetch their asking price. The longer your house lingers on the real estate listings, the more pressure you'll feel to knock the price down - and the less likely it is to sell without some incentives from you, the home seller. Even if you don't have to sell your house fast, it's the best way of getting the price that you want for it. Put your home sale on the fast track with these tips and tricks from professional Realtors.

Find a Realtor

Your best option for selling quickly is to give the job to a professional, and let their experience guide you. A realtor knows all the ins and outs, as well as what selling strategies work best in your area. They can help you set the right selling price for your property (which is the second most commonly offered piece of advice to help your home sell quickly), offer concrete suggestions for improving the chances of a sale, hook your home into the Multiple Listing Service, and guide you through every step of the selling process.

Choose your Realtor carefully, and accept their advice. He or she knows what will sell your house. A good Realtor will suggest most of the house sell tips listed below.

Set The Right Price

Every Realtor asked said that the most important factor in selling a home quickly was to price it right. Further, the most common mistake sellers make is pricing too high. Experienced real estate agents strongly suggest starting from the average price in your area and working from there, rather than starting with your desired net gain. Your best gauge to determine the right selling price for your home is the recent selling prices of similar homes in your neighborhood. Your realtor is the best source of those prices - they have insider access, after all.

Prepare Your Property BEFORE Listing It

There are a number of things you can do to make your property more appealing, and they should be done before you start showing it - and this is called home staging. 'Staging' has been known to make home sell faster. The key is being sure that your house looks its very best from the start. Now is the time to make needed repairs. If it needs sprucing up, get that done first. Fresh paint, trimmed bushes, mowed lawns and immaculate cleanliness are all important factors in making your home attractive and saleable.

After Listing, Keep The House Immaculate

Be ready to show the house at a moment's notice. Make sure you pack up the junk and rent a storage unit as clutter and junk will erode the potential equity your house will bring. If there are too much 'junk' in a room it makes the room look smaller and distracts the buyer's attention. Perform a thorough house cleaning. Make the windows shine and wipe down the baseboards. Keep the sink empty and wiped, and make sure that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless. Don't forget to eradicate unpleasant odors. It's important that your house should look as close to move-in condition as possible - all the time!

Fade Into The Background

When the house is being shown, be as unobtrusive as possible. If you've contracted with a Realtor let him or her do the selling. If you're doing the selling yourself, be available to answer questions and conduct a brief tour - but give the prospective buyers plenty of 'alone time' to explore and kick the tires.

Offer Incentives To Make The Asking Price More Attractive

Got a buyer that just loves the house, but needs a little extra boost to make the commitment? There are a number of incentives you can offer as an alternative to lowering your asking price. This is another place that a good realtor can make valuable suggestions based on their own experience. An offer to cover buyer closing costs, for instance, can bring the up-front expenses of buying your home into range for a first-time buyer struggling to meet a down payment, points and closing costs.

Other common incentives include a 'decorating allowance' or including household items and appliances in the purchase price.

Take Advantage Of Employer Help If It's Available

If you're relocating for work, check your company's relocation assistance plan. Some may cover the cost of long-distance selling, or even purchase the home and resell it, depending on the circumstances.

There you have it. Apply these tips to sell your house fast as the peak home selling and buying season is upon us.

Mortgage Rates Plunge ... New Lows!

Mortgage rates plunge, flirting with new lows

By Les Christie August 3, 2011 NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- As Congress and President Obama hammered out a debt deal over the past week, mortgage rates plunged -- hitting new lows in some instances. The 30-year fixed rate, usually the most popular choice for homebuyers, fell to 4.45% from 4.57% last week -- its lowest point since last November, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. level. "Refinance application volume increased, but even though 30-year mortgage rates are back below 4.5 percent, the refinance index is still almost 30 percent below last year's level. Factors such as negative equity and a weakMeanwhile, the rate on the less popular 15-year fixed plunged to a new record low of 3.52%, down from 3.67% a week earlier. The up-front points lenders charged dropped as well, to 0.78 from 1.14 for 20%-down loans, according to the industry group. A homebuyer financing a $200,000 mortgage could save $14 a month and pay $720 less at closing based on the current points. The rock-bottom interest rates drove up total mortgage applications -- both for purchases and refinancings -- by about 7%, compared with a week earlier, said Michael Fratantoni, the Mortgage Bankers Association's vice president of research and economics. While the increase may seem substantial, he noted that applications are still well below last year's job market continue to constrain borrowers," he said. On Bankrate.com Wednesday, a 30-year fixed was available that carried an annual percentage rate of just 4.03%. The overnight average was 4.37%, the site reported. Mortgage rates are following bond yields lower, explained Greg McBride, Bankrate's chief economist. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes hit 2.6% on Wednesday down from 3.03% the last week of July. "The plunge in Treasury yields is because we've been hit with a string of poor economic readings," said McBride. Those include a weak GDP report and slowdowns in manufacturing, consumer spending and hiring. With rates so low and home prices down more than 30% from peak, there has probably never been a more affordable time to buy a home. For some buyers though, "Time is of the essence.," said McBride. "The loan limits (for Fannie/Freddie mortgages) drop on October 1 so acting now for closing by Sept. 30 is important for buyers in the upper price levels."

13 Ways to Cool Down Your Summer Workout!

You waited all year for summer to arrive, dreaming of all the activities you could do if only the weather was nice. But now that warm weather has arrived, the extreme heat and humidity can make it difficult to spend any time outdoors—let alone exercise. While exercising in the heat is generally safe for most people, taking a few extra precautions will help you stay cool and prevent problems associated with the heat.

Danger Signs to Watch For
Normally, your body cools off as sweat evaporates from your skin. But when heat and humidity rise, that sweat can't evaporate as quickly. The combination of hot weather, high body temperature and exercise can be dangerous and even deadly.

Heat exhaustion can occur when your body gets too hot, resulting in physical symptoms like weakness, muscle cramps, dehydration, dizziness, confusion, rapid heart rate and headache. Staying hydrated and getting out of the heat can help prevent and treat heat exhaustion. If left untreated, heat illness can worsen, causing symptoms like confusion, unconsciousness, vomiting, troubling breathing, and skin that feels hot and dry (a sign that the body isn't sweating). These are signs of heat stroke which is deadly and requires immediate medical attention.
But you don't have to give up exercise just because it's hot outside.
These 13 tips will help you beat the heat.

1. Get your doctor’s okay. If you are new to fitness or taking any medications, check with your health care professional before exercising in the heat. Newcomers to exercise will be more sensitive to the heat, and some medications can impair your body’s ability to regulate temperature.

2. Wear "wicking" fabrics. While cotton is comfortable, it doesn’t wick away moisture very well. Choose a loose-fitting polyester/cotton blend instead, or synthetic fibers designed especially for wicking during exercise.

3. Protect your skin.  Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 (or higher) to prevent sunburn—even on cloudy days. Use an oil-free formula that won’t interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down and select a sweat-proof variety to prevent sunscreen from irritating your eyes. Clothing with tight weaves, sunglasses, and a lightweight hat with a brim can also help block the sun’s harmful rays.

4. Drink often. Hydrate your body before, during and after your workout by carrying cold water and drinking it often. Switch to a sports drink with electrolytes if you will be exercising for more than an hour.
5. Perfect your timing. Sun, humidity and pollution levels are most intense during the day, so you're at greater risk for dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion during this time. To minimize the effects of the weather, work out in the early morning (before 10 a.m.) or late evening (after 7 p.m.).

6. Check air quality. Before you head outside, get current reports online or on your local radio station. Lower your exertion (intensity) level during physical activity on days with extreme heat and high smog. This dangerous weather warrants easy walking, relaxed cycling or light gardening instead of vigorous exercise.

7. Acclimate to the heat. Even the fittest people can have trouble exercising when it's hot and humid. Start by exercising in the heat for only a few minutes each day and gradually increase the amount of time you can tolerate outdoors.

8. Seek shade. Parks, trails and other tree-lined areas can help you stay cooler than direct sunlight.

9. Monitor your heart rate.  If your intensity level rises above your target range. slow down or stop to avoid further stress.

10. Listen to your body. If you notice any symptoms of heat illness (see "Danger Signs to Watch For" above), stop your workout. It's not a good idea to "push yourself" in extreme heat. If you feel bad, use common sense and discontinue your workout.
11. Know when to stay inside. If temperatures climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, take your exercise in an air-conditioned environment, such as the gym or shopping mall.

12. Avoid extreme temperate changes. Don’t go from blistering outdoor heat to a shockingly cold air-conditioned building. Try to cool yourself down gradually before exposing your body to cooler temperatures.

13. Take a dip. Water exercise is a great alternative in hot weather. Water keeps your body cool and reduces how difficult you perceive your workout to be. Be sure to drink plenty of water even while swimming to ensure that you are properly hydrated.

Hot weather isn't the time to take risks. Even healthy people should take it easy in extremely high temperatures and everyone should understand how to exercise safely and effectively at the height of the season. Summer brings many fun and exhilarating opportunities to get outside, so enjoy yourself!

Can't Get Time Off? 5 Simple Ways to Relax & Refresh

By Jean Chatzky

Every time you turn around it seems like someone else is going on vacation. Your best friend is at Disney with the kids. Your college roommate is posting pictures of the tropics on Facebook. Even your hairdresser is talking about the tricked-out beach house she’s renting this summer. But whether it’s your funds, your boss or your schedule that won’t allow it, you just can’t get away.

The benefits of that elusive vacation, however, can be yours. You don’t have to spend $3,000 to de-stress. You don’t even have to leave home. (Personally, I think that all the packing and airports –- yes, I’ve had the pat-down -- and hassle of traveling are sometimes more stressful than the average day at the office. It can be really good to avoid all that.) What you do need is a break.
It’s good for your body, your mind, and your soul. Constant working, says Tony Schwartz, author of Be Excellent At Anything, leads to stress hormones filling our bodies. That actually makes it harder to think clearly about the big picture and to focus on everyday tasks. The good news is that there are many, many ways to catch that breather without breaking the bank. Here are my favorite strategies:

Get rid of the guilt. The number one thing you need to do is allow yourself to have a break. I know how hard it can be to step away from the office, especially in this economy. You don’t want to get behind, you don’t want to weaken your performance. But taking time out to recharge your batteries -- without fretting about the office -- will leave you feeling refreshed. The fabulous Suzy Welch once told me she believes guilt is a “useless emotion.” I try to hold onto that.

Spend time wisely. Whether you snag 24, 36, or 72 hours off, use that time to do something you’re truly passionate about. Turn off your phone, set vacation reminders on your email and voicemail, and do something you (not your spouse, not your kids) love. It might be golf, or swimming, or even biking. You could even start an entire book -- and then finish it.

Splurge for something special. " We’re only visitors here,” my accountant said to me recently, explaining why he and his wife splurged for Paul McCartney tickets. “And our stays are too short. You have to make every moment count.” I think he’s totally right. So set a budget you can afford, then find a great dinner that falls within those lines, or theater tickets, or a night out dancing. The point is to treat yourself.

Be a tourist, in your own town. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but I always like to reiterate it: re-discover your own little corner of the world. If you’re lucky enough to live near a major city, make like Ferris Bueller and hit up all the sites. Pretend you’re a tourist. Even after 20-plus years of working in New York City, I still like to go with my kids and explore Times Square (or better yet, the new High Line park). Looking at something with fresh eyes can make you feel fresh and new!

Delegate and de-stress throughout the day. If you really-absolutely-cannot-no-WAY-Jose take a few days off, the least you could do is lighten your load a little. You see all those summer interns running around? Recruit one to take over your scheduling, and have them tackle the filing while they’re at it. Allowing other people to do the tasks that are “non-essential” will give you some extra time during the day in which you can (and should!) go for a quick walk in the sun. Practice some yoga breathing exercises. Maybe even leave a little bit early and spend that newly-gained time cooking a healthy meal, or better yet, catching up on sleep.

Jean Chatzky, award-winning journalist and best-selling author, is the financial editor for NBC’s Today, a contributing editor for More Magazine, and a columnist for The New York Daily News. She blogs daily at JeanChatzky.com.

Buying a Second Home: Making It Bubble-Proof

Careful research can help you with buying a second home or a vacation home that will become an income-producing asset.

With all the talk about our being in the midst of a real estate bubble, the decision of whether or not to buy a second home has become more difficult than ever.
But Christine Karpinski, author of two books on vacation home investing, How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner and Profit from Your Vacation Home Dream, believes vacation homes are still a good investment. She says, "If you make well-researched, educated decisions, you'll be setting yourself up for success, not failure."
Karpinski suggests second-home buyers should:
Start With a PlanWhether you're buying for personal use or for investment, you should start with a business plan just as you would if you were starting any new business. To be confident of a sound investment takes a lot of research.
Buy With Your Wallet, Not Your HeartMake sure you're buying a smart investment. It's easy to get caught up and sign on the dotted line when you see that gorgeous beach home or perfect ski resort. But Karpinski cautions against getting caught up in the moment and not doing the necessary due diligence.
Research the AreaIs it a new, emerging area? Or is it an older, more developed area? This makes a lot of difference, says Karpinski. If you are looking to purchase in an area that's well developed, there's less to worry about. But in an emerging market you should exercise caution to be sure that there are not so many new developments that the inventory exceeds demand.
Leave Your Options OpenYou may want to buy a vacation home with no intention of ever renting it out. But while today it may be financially feasible not to rent your home, you're never sure what the future will bring. Your finances may change. The tax rate for the property could skyrocket. Buying in an area where you know you can utilize the option to rent your property is a great way to leave your options open.
Use Your Real Estate AgentPick your agent's brain. Ask tons of questions. Scour through his or her Web site, and absorb as much information as possible. After all, your agent is getting paid to be knowledgeable in this area. Use his or her expertise to your advantage.
Look For Large, Reputable DevelopersDevelopers do more research than any single buyer could ever dream of doing. They invest thousands of dollars into researching the market, tourism, growth and inventory. So if you follow large developers, your chances of failing are significantly less.
Beware of Overextending With Teaser MortgagesYes, you can afford that property with a 3.5 percent interest-only payment, but be realistic about second home financing. That payment is likely to go up, and maybe faster than you think. Mortgage rates are still at all-time lows, but, if you're using an adjustable-rate or interest-only mortgage only for the affordability factor, watch out. Rates could rise, and you could end up stuck with a property you cannot afford.
Stay Away From Areas With Short-Term Rental BansThe best way to protect yourself from market fluctuation is to have the option of renting your property on a nightly or weekly basis when you are not using it. Some complexes or counties have areas where there are covenants or laws against renting on a short-term basis. If you stay away from purchasing in those areas, you're more likely to be able to turn your vacation home into an income-producing asset.

FOOD ADDICTION

Brain Scans Similar for Alcoholics, Compulsive Eaters

As a society, we've come to recognize there's more to substance abuse -- like drug or alcohol addiction -- than a simple lack of self-control. Neurochemical imbalances help drive compulsive behaviors -- and vice versa. But when it comes to confronting obesity, food addiction usually gets left out of the equation. Emerging research, however, is starting to elucidate the role of brain chemistry in compulsive eating.

One recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to show that brain scans of compulsive eaters react to images of a milkshake similarly to the way the alcohol addicted brain might react to the mention of a martini. Yale University researchers administered a questionnaire to 48 healthy young women. Of these women, 15 were classified as food addicted, exhibiting classic signs of dependency such as withdrawal, out-of-control consumption, interference with work, social life, etc. These women had markedly different neurological reactions upon viewing the milkshake -- triggering increased activity in specific, dopamine-regulated areas of the brain that are also shown to light up in drug and alcohol addicts.

Previous research has associated certain brain chemicals, such as galanin, with both alcoholism and overeating. Sugar, particularly when combined with fat and salt (hello, junk food!), especially engages the brain's reward centers. Indeed, one study using rats found sugar to be even more addictive than cocaine. A taste sensitivity to fat has been linked to lower fat and calorie intake, possibly suggesting that over-consumption of fat eventually desensitizes the tongue.

SOME THINGS BUYERS SHOULD KNOW (but often don't!)

A recent survey indicates that there are many aspects of the home buying process that continue to elude prospective home buyers. Here are some of the more surprising results of the findings, along with five things home buyers don’t know, but should:
Mortgage rates vary daily
A whopping 55 percent of prospective home buyers don’t realize that mortgage rates, which are determined by a slew of factors, can – and do – change daily (and sometimes more than once a day if certain economic reports are released.) To get the best rates, you have to monitor them (watch the movement of the 10-year Treasury bond; that’s your best indicator.) and shop around. After all, a change in a rate of a mere .125% to .25% could mean thousands of dollars in savings each year.
Lender fees are negotiable
When you apply for a mortgage, the bottom line is that you’re going to have to pay lender fees. And these fees — from origination fees to credit report fees to appraisal fees and more — can add up quickly. But the good news — and what 34 percent of prospective home buyers don’t know — is that fees not only vary from one lender to the next, but that they’re negotiable. All the more reason to shop around for different mortgage rates from various lenders.
FHA loans are available to all buyers
More than two in five (42%) prospective home buyers think that only first-time buyers qualify for an FHA loan, a mortgage insured by the Federal House Administration. That’s not the case. In fact, these loans are available to all buyers who meet eligibility requirements. Among the key benefits: minimal down payments, relaxed credit score requirements, low costs, and attractive interest rates.
Interest rates on ARMs don’t always reset higher
While interest rates on 5/1 ARMs do commonly increase after 5 years, rates could decrease. Prospective home buyers may not realize this because so many of us — some 57 percent, in fact – simply don’t know how adjustable rate mortgages work. FYI: the interest rate on this product is made up of two parts — the margin, which is fixed percentage; and the index, which goes both up and down with the general movement of interest rates.
Pre-qualified doesn’t mean much
Just because you’ve been “pre-qualified” for a loan doesn’t mean you’ve secured financing, yet 37 percent of prospective home buyers think it does. When a lender “pre-qualifies” you, they simply approximate how much you can afford, but don’t run your credit or request any sort of documentation to verify the information you provide. It is not until a lender has approved your loan application without conditions that you’ve got a firm commitment.

AB EXERCISES

Quick-fix exercises are generally poor substitutes for hard work, but the following exercises are simple enough to do in the comfort of your own home without sacrificing effectiveness. If you perform these easy ab exercises a few times a week, you will stimulate your abdominal muscles enough to keep your core strong. But beware: You probably won’t see the results you’re hoping for unless you combine these easy ab exercises with a healthy diet and a regular cardiovascular regimen.

For all of the following easy ab exercises, make sure to suck in your stomach, which will activate your transversus abdominis, the muscle that should always fire before any other core muscle.

Crunches

Lie flat on your back on the floor. Take a deep breath, suck in your stomach, keep your eyes focused on the ceiling, and raise your upper body off the ground until it is at a 45-degree angle with the floor. Don’t pull on your neck, as this can lead to forward head posture, neck pain and, in extreme cases, migraine headaches. Hold the contraction for 2 to 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position. Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Standing side bends

Stand up straight and suck in your stomach. Keeping your legs straight and your arms at your sides, lean from left to right. Make sure you don’t rotate at the hips; rather, keep your upper body in a forward-facing position and simply tilt your body left and right. This easy ab exercise primarily works the obliques, but it also engages the entire abdominal wall and some of the lower back muscles. Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Torso twists and double crunches will engage your obliques and your lower abdominal region in the next set of easy ab exercises…

Torso Twists

The torso twist is one of our favorite routines for tightening up the midsection and it's among the best easy ab exercises. Stand up straight, suck in your stomach and rotate your upper body from left to right while keeping your legs straight. As you turn, you will engage both the internal and external obliques, which are very important core muscles. The contraction produced in this exercise will hit the obliques from a different plane of motion than the side bends. Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Double Crunches

Whenever you do a crunch, you work the entire abdominal area, but there are ways to add a little more emphasis to certain sections of the abdominals. The double crunch combines the crunch and another exercise called the knee raise, which will place more emphasis on the lower abdominal region.

Lie flat on your back against the floor with your legs in the air and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle so that your calves are parallel with the floor. Take a deep breath, suck in your stomach, keep your eyes focused on the ceiling, and raise your upper body off the ground until it is at a 45-degree angle with the floor. Once again, make sure not to pull your neck. Hold the contraction for 2 to 3 seconds and slowly return to the starting position. Perform 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

Easy Abs

If you follow these easy ab exercises, you will effectively work your core muscles. In combination with good nutritional and cardiovascular plans, they will help you achieve those chiseled muscles in no time. Also, don’t forget to include stretching in your regimen, as resistance training exercises tighten up the muscles.           

MORTGAGE RATE DROPS TO 4.71%

Rate on 30-year fixed mortgage drops to 4.71 %

Janna Herron / / Associated Press

Fixed mortgage rates dipped to the lowest level of the year last week. The third straight weekly decline comes at the start of the peak buying season.
Freddie Mac said the average rate on the 30-year loan fell to 4.71 percent from 4.78 percent the previous week. That matched this year's low reached in January. But it is above the 40-year low of 4.17 percent hit in November.

The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage slipped to 3.89 percent from 3.97 percent. It reached 3.57 percent in November, the lowest level on records dating back to 1991.
Mortgage rates tend to track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which fell last week after the report showed slower growth last month in the service sector, which employs nearly 90 percent of the U.S work force. That bolsters the case for the Federal Reserve to maintain its policy of keeping interest rates low to fuel the economy.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac collects rates from lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week. Rates often fluctuate significantly.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable rate mortgage fell to 3.47 percent from 3.51 percent. The five-year adjustable rate loan hit 3.25 percent last month, the lowest rate on records dating back to January 2005.
The average rate on a one-year adjustable rate loan fell to 3.14 percent from 3.15 percent. That marked the lowest level on the one-year ARM in the last year.
The rates do not include add-on fees, known as points. One point is equal to 1 percent of the total loan amount. The average fee for the 30-year fixed loan and 15-year fixed loan in Freddie Mac's survey was 0.7 point. The average fee for the five-year ARM and the one-year ARM was 0.6 point.

TO THE WEEKEND WARRIOR!

You're the folks who work hard all week, don't have or don't make the time to exercise/play but you find the time to play hard on Saturday and/or Sunday....And on those 2 days you try to make up for the week's worth of inactivity, right?
You're a WEEKEND WARRIOR and there's not a thing wrong with that!
BUT.....
If you only work out/exercise 2 days a week, try to space out your active days to avoid a "deconditioning effect" from being inactive for such a long stretch of time. Instead of exercising on Saturday and Sunday, try for Saturday and Wednesday or Monday and Thursday. Try to find the time to do this.
AND....
Take some precautions to avoid injury. You have to be more sensible about your approach. If you're planning a Saturday afternoon filled with 18 holes of golf or a game of basketball with friends, make sure to warm up first and cool down afterward.
AND....
Don't overdo it. Remember that because you don’t do this regularly you have to keep some tabs on the intensity.
AND....
Listen to your body! If something hurts, lay off.
SO.....
Here's to all the WEEKEND WARRIORS! Have fun!

5 THINGS A SELLER CAN DO KILL THE DEAL

1. Talking to or meeting with the buyers without the knowledge of your realtor.... If you are speaking with the other party and no one else knows about it, promises can be made verbally that are not reflected in the written contract and this is a big NO!  The reason you hire a real estate agent is so they can communicate with the buyers' agent to ensure the transaction goes smoothly. Do not talk to the other realtor without your agent present either.
2. Not disclosing material defects of the property- If you are aware that the roof leaks or about the black mold in the bathroom upstairs, it is wise to disclose the information to your agent  and on the seller's property disclosure form you fill out. Think you're off the hook after you walk away from the closing table? Wrong! The buyer can take you to small claims court. Disclose all material defects with the home, it's the right thing to do and the buyer deserves to know!
3. Refuse to repair a big problem in the home- Sure it's your right to refuse repairing items requested by the buyer after an inspection and I am not saying you should agree to repair everything but think twice before saying "no" to a large or serious repair. If the roof has hail damage and needs replacement and you refuse to repair it for the first buyer, the next buyer who comes along will more than likely request the roof be replaced also. If the item is serious enough to come up in the future with another buyer again, you should probably fix it.
4. Not being honest with your realtor- You and your realtor work as a team during the transaction so if you withhold certain information from them that could affect the transaction, you may have a big problem. Keep it simple and be honest with your agent.
5. Not having permits for work completed in the home- You didn't get a permit for the basement, bathroom, or deck you built and now you are under contract with a buyer for your home. If you try to acquire permits for work completed after you finished a project while you are under contract you may have to make corrections in order to bring the work completed in the home up to building code. Not only can that become costly, but also very time consuming. In some circumstances, the buyer may have issues with their lender or homeowner's insurance due to the absence of permits. The buyer also knows when they go to sell the home in the future, they have to obtain permits (which may involve making corrections at their expense) and that just may be enough to steer them away from the deal. It is wise to obtain permits for work completed before you list your home for sale.

EASY KITCHEN UPGRADES

If you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen, but you’re not the handiest person in the world, you may feel as though you’re going to have to hire a professional to redesign your kitchen. But there are some easy things you can do that will upgrade your kitchen and make it look like you really put a lot of money into it.
One easy kitchen upgrade concerns your cabinets; all of your cabinets, both upper and lower. Other than the sink, it’s probably the first thing most people look at when they walk into your kitchen. There are three things you can do that are pretty easy, though one will sound hard.

The first thing is to change the handles or knobs on the cabinets. Basically, all you need is a screwdriver for handles, and just some elbow grease for knobs, which should twist off easily enough. Then go to the hardware store, find something that looks nice, and pop them on there. If you pick something fancy, instant glamour! While you’re at it, think about changing the handles or knobs on any drawers you have in the kitchen also.

The second thing, if the cabinets are painted, is to strip the paint off and bring them back to natural wood. If you have a heated paint stripper this is a snap, as it will lift the paint off without having to do any scraping. Natural looking wood finishes are in, so this will be impressive.
The third thing is to either stain, varnish or clear lacquer your cabinets. Any of these changes will make your entire cabinet stand out and look like new, and it’s also a very easy upgrade to make.
Next, take a look at your stove. The easiest upgrade is to change the pans that surround the burners, something that a lot of people rarely think about. Nice, shiny new tins can bring a whole new look to your stove.
And let me ask you a question; when is the last time you cleaned the inside of your stove? All modern stoves have a setting where it will literally clean itself, leaving you only a little bit of residue to clean up afterwards. And, if you clean up the inside window a bit, then clean up the outside window, and, while you’re at it, clean the rest of the stove up, it’ll look like new.
The next thing you can do that’s an easy kitchen upgrade is to add some throw rugs into the mix. If your floor is either totally wood or linoleum, adding a couple of rugs here and there can make it look nicer, no matter if it’s in good condition or not. Put one near the sink, one near the refrigerator, and if your kitchen leads to the garage, put one there also, so your family will be prompted to wipe their feet before coming in.

The final upgrade may be the most expensive, but it’s still easy. If your kitchen is large enough, think about putting a moveable island in the middle. They only come up about three feet, and a small one, around 26”x20”, is plenty enough. If you get one with a marble top, even better. It not only gives your kitchen another nice surface for whatever you wish, such as cutting or putting hot food onto, but it makes the kitchen look bigger and fancier than before you added.
These easy kitchen upgrades will spice up your kitchen and make it look more spectacular.

MINDSET TIPS

1. If you fall “off the wagon”, get right back on track! Immediately! Cut your losses and don’t worry about it.....It’s minor damage from which you can recoup.

2. It is not failure itself that holds you back; it is the fear of failure that paralyzes you.

3. If there is something you’ve been wanting to do, take at least one small step in that direction today. We've all heard trhe Chinese Proverb: 'The longest journey begins with one step'. Take the step!

PASSOVER

Passover 2011 begins at sundown on Monday, April 18. Passover lasts for eight days.

Passover commemorates the formative experience of the Jewish people: their transformation from scattered tribes indentured in Egypt to a nation on the road to redemption.

The Bible relates in the Book of Exodus, that after hundreds of years of slavery, God smote the hardhearted dictator Pharaoh with Ten Plagues until he finally acceded to the demand of the God as relayed by Moses:

Let My people go, that they may serve Me!

At the last minute, Pharaoh changed his mind and gave chase; God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to pass through on miraculously dry land while causing the pursuing Egyptians, along with their horses and chariots, to drown in the briny deep. And the Israelites were free!

Celebrate Freedom for All People!

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/passover#ixzz1JsHAytZH

WORKING OUT 'WORK-OUT' SORENESS

WHETHER A WEEKEND WARRIOR OR GYM RAT....
It's common for beginners to experience muscle soreness that lasts for a week or two, just as seasoned exercisers will be sore after a tough work out. I know the big question and the answer is YES, you should keep working out even though you are sore, but there is more to it than that.

Muscle soreness has two primary causes. The first soreness you experience happens during your workout ("the burn") and should subside within a couple of hours. This is caused by lactic acid production. When you are training and your muscles are not getting enough oxygen (anaerobic glycolysis), lactic acid builds up. You can break down lactic acid by continuing to move and by doing light aerobic exercise (such as walking) after your workout. This is why cool-downs are so important, especially for beginners. The longer you cool down, the faster that lactic acid will leave the muscles (typically within an hour).

The type of muscle soreness you are experiencing, up to a day or two (and sometimes even three) after your workout is known as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). DOMS is caused by microscopic tears inside the muscles, resulting from weight-training or fully exhausting the muscles during cardio. This is normal. Again, beginners will be more sore and usually for longer, but if you really worked as hard as you should have during a weight-lifting session, you should be somewhat sore for the next day or two.

This is where rest comes in. You absolutely must rest the muscles you worked for 1-2 days after a workout. Take at least one day off between strength training sessions, and if you are still very sore, take 2 days off. (This means from lifting, not from all exercise such as cardio). If you don't let your muscles recover and repair, they will continue to break down and you will actually get weaker.

To help prevent soreness in the future, and alleviate some of it now, be sure to:
1. Always warm-up for 5-10 minutes and cool-down for at least 5 minutes.
2. Stretch after a warm-up, during your workout, and after you are done. Only stretch when your muscles are already warm from some kind of light activity.
3. Stay active. The more your muscles move, the faster they will recover from exercise and soreness. If you choose to rest completely instead of "actively recovering" with light exercise, you'll probably be sore longer.

Soreness comes with the work but don't believe the:

"No Pain, No Gain"!      Sore - yes; Pain - No!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

5 THINGS BUYERS DO TO TURN OFF SELLERS ....... & KILL DEALS

written by Tara-Nichoelle Nelson and posted by Trulia

In today’s market, every savvy seller wants to know what turns buyers off, so they can get their homes sold as quickly as possible, for as much as possible.  But buyers, take note – there is a minefield of seller turn-offs you can trigger that hold the potential to keep you from getting the home you want at the best price and terms, or to unnecessarily complicate dealings with your home’s seller.

Lest you think all of today’s sellers are under the gun and will just put up with whatever behavior buyers dish out, be aware that there are still many multiple offer situations in which buyers have to compete with each other to get a home – buyers who trigger these turnoffs tend to lose in those scenarios.  Also, avoiding these seller turnoffs can create a transactional environment of cooperation and avoid things turning adversarial.  That, in turn, can empower you to score a better price, get extra items you want thrown into the deal, and even negotiate more flexibility around your escrow and move-in timelines – all perks that can make your life easier and your budget go further.

For sellers, these turnoffs pose the potential of irritating you out of an otherwise good deal – maybe even the only deal you have!

Here’s a few of the most common buyer-perpetuated seller turnoffs, with tips for sellers on how to keep an emotional (and economic) even keel, even if your home’s buyer makes some of these waves:

1. Trash-talking. Trash-talkers are the home buyers who think they’re going to negotiate the list price down by slamming the house, telling the sellers how little it is really worth, how the house across the street sold for nothing, why the school on the corner should make them desperate to give the place away, etc. This strategy never works; in fact, when you attack a seller and their home, you only cause them to be defensive, and think up all the reasons that (a) their home is not what you say it is, and (b) they shouldn’t sell their home to you! 

Sometimes this happens with buyers who actually love a house and just walk around it fantasizing about all the ways they would customize it to their tastes while a seller is there. 

Sellers: avoid being at home while your home is being shown.  Buyers: save your commentary for your agent; if you do encounter the seller in person keep your conversation respectful and avoid critiquing the house or the list price.

2. Being unqualified for mortgage financing. When a seller signs a buyer’s offer, most often the seller agrees to effectively pull the home off the market, forgoing other buyers who might be interested.  As such, the only thing worse than getting no offers on your home is getting an offer, getting into contract, then having the whole thing fall apart when the buyer’s loan falls through – especially if that could have been predicted or avoided up front.

Sellers: Work with your agent to vet your home’s buyers’ qualifications, including their loan approval, down payment and earnest money deposit – before you sign a contract.  It’s not overkill for your agent to call the buyers’ mortgage pro before you sign the contract and get a level of comfort for how robust their qualifications are.  Buyers:  Get pre-approved.  Seriously.  And make sure that you don’t buy a car, quit your job, deposit lottery winnings or do any other financial twitchery between the time you get loan approval and the time you close escrow on your home.

3. Making unjustified lowball offers. No one likes to feel like they are being taken advantage of.  And sellers generally know the ballpark amount that their home is worth, as well as what they need to sell it for to get their mortgage paid off.  Yes – the price you pay for a home should be driven by its fair market value, rather than the seller’s financial needs, and deals are more available in a market like the current one, in which supply so vastly outpaces demand. But just throwing uber-lowball offers out at sellers hoping one will hit the spot is not generally a successful strategy, especially if you really, really want a given property.

Sellers:  Don’t get overly emotional about receiving a lowball offer; counter at the price you and your agent decide makes sense based on the total circumstances, including your motivation level, recent comps and the interest/activity level your listing is receiving. Buyers:  Work through the similar, nearby homes that have recently sold (a/k/a comparables) before you make an offer to factor the home’s fair market value into your offer price – also factor in how much you want the place, too.  Don’t be amazed if you make an offer far below asking, and don’t get a response.

4. Renegotiating mid-stream. Sellers plan their finances, moves and  - to some extent – their lives around the purchase price a buyer agrees to pay for their home.  If you get into contract to buy a home, find out during inspections that costly repairs need to be made, then propose a lower sale price, repair credit or even actual repairs to the seller, that’s sensible and fair.  But if you were aware that the property needed a lot of work before you made an offer on it, then you come back asking for beaucoup bucks’ worth of credit or price reductions midstream, expect the seller to cry foul.  And holding the seller up two weeks into the transaction because you caught a case of buyer's remorse? Not cool, and not likely to foster the spirit of cooperation you may need to get your deal closed.

Sellers: avoid mid-stream price renegotiations by having a full set of inspection reports and repair bids at hand when you list your home. Buyers: try to avoid renegotiating the entire deal unless you get some major surprises at your inspections or inflating small repairs to try to justify a major price cut.

5. Misleading or setting the seller up.  Remember when we talked about buyer turn-offs?  Being misled by listing photos or very fluffy property descriptions was high on the list.  The same goes for sellers.Offering way over asking with the plan to hammer the seller for a reduction when the house doesn’t appraise at the purchase price?  #LAME  Making an as-is offer planning the whole time to come back and ask for every penny ante repair called out by the inspectors?  Lame squared.

Sellers:  If you get multiple offers and are tempted to take a sky-high one or one that claims to be all cash, consider requesting proof that the buyer has sufficient funds to make up the difference between what you think the home will appraise for and the actual sale price, and statements showing the cash truly exists.  Buyers: Don’t be lame. I’m not saying you have to tell the seller exactly what your top dollar is, but making offers with terms designed to intentionally mislead is really, really bad form – and can result in losing the home entirely if and when your bluff gets called.

TOP 5 HEALTHIEST FOODS

SALMON

Hands down! It is a good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids - which has been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. In 2002, the American Heart Association recommended eating at least 2 servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish such as salmon. With increasing public concerns over farmed salmon, choose wild salmon. Most canned salmon are wild

SOY
Soy products are great substitutes for animal products. Soy beans contain high amounts of protein which comprise of all essential amino acids (the only such vegetable source to do so). Soy beans are also a rich source of calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, B vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. Numerous scientific studies demonstrated that a diet containing significant soy protein may benefit heart health. In addition, more and more studies are being published suggesting other health benefits of soy such as the prevention of prostate & breast cancer as well as osteoporosis.


GREENS
Green vegetables such as kale, chard, collard greens, bok choy, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc... are packed with vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and phytonutrients. They are very filling, high in fiber and low in calories. Cook them or eat them raw - toss them into your salad and reap the nutritional benefits!


BERRIES
They are loaded with Vitamin C, folate, fiber and phytonutrients. Fresh berries are some of the most powerful disease-fighting foods available as they top the ORAC score chart (a method of measuring antioxidant activity).


WHOLE GRAINS
Whole grains have some valuable antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables. They also contain B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that all adults eat half their grains as whole grains - that's 3 to 5 servings of whole grains a day. To include more servings of whole grains in your diet, use whole-wheat flour in your recipes instead of white flour. Look for the word "whole" when purchasing packaged foods such as cereals, biscuits, pasta and breads. In addition, try adding wild rice, brown rice, quinoa or barley in your soup to increase whole grain intake. (Quinoa is my favorite!)

EAT WELL - BE FIT - LIVE LONG !!!!

FRIDAY FUNNIES - FITNESS

LOL

• It is well documented that for every minute that you exercise, you add one minute to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.
• My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where she is.
• The only reason I would take up exercising is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
• I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.
• I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
• I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
• I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
• The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
• If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
• And last but not least: I don't exercise because it makes the ice jump right out of my glass

BE A WEEKEND WARRIOR!

Plan Fitness for the Weekend!
Don't let the weekend jeopardize your fitness plan. Weekends are a much-needed respite from your cranky boss, hectic commute and 10-hour stretches in front of a computer. But if you spend two full days partying until dawn, guzzling down drinks, and giving up on your diet, you'll feel like you were run over by a truck come Sunday night. Learn how to use the weekend to focus on fitness and nutrition, recharge and rejuvenate without sacrificing fun.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Shop on Saturday
By the end of the work week, your fridge probably contains a whole lot of nothing. Rather than eating string cheese from last May (that never ends well), do your grocery shopping on Saturday so you can stock up for the rest of the weekend and work week ahead. Ordering in or dining out from Friday to Sunday can be expensive and unhealthy since you may not know how things are prepared.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Plan Your Meals for the Week
Don't just aimlessly pile up your cart at the supermarket. (Turkey, gummy bears and an onion does not add up to dinner!) Planning ahead saves time and money. Making a list of what you'll need for complete meals and snacks helps you get in, get out and get back to your weekend! If you need some cooking inspiration, peruse your favorite food websites for healthy meal ideas and trade recipes with your friends.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Don't Try to Catch up on Sleep
But weekends were invented for sleeping in, right? Not exactly. Recent studies prove that sleeping until noon on a Sunday morning will not make up for the minimal amount of shut-eye you got last week. Michael Braus, Ph.D., author of 'Beauty Sleep: Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep', recommends trying to keep within 30-60 minutes of your regular bedtime and wake time. Sticking to a schedule promotes better quality sleep, which can have a lasting impact on beauty, weight, sex, health and more.
"Use weekends to prepare for a long work week rather than trying to make up for them," Breus adds. Find for more sleeping tips from Dr. Breus.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Do a "Fast Food" Makeover
Finally - two blissful days where you can whip up a nice breakfast instead of eating cereal out of a plastic bag at your desk. If you crave an egg and cheese sandwich on Sunday mornings, give your favorite fast food a healthy makeover with these simple swaps:
Bacon: Try Canadian Bacon
Biscuit: Try English Muffin or Whole Wheat Toast
Eggs: Try Egg Whites or Egg Substitute
Cheese: Try Slice of low fat or spreadable cheese
Sausage: Try Vegetarian sausage
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Create a Weekend Workout Schedule
Weekends are the perfect time to invest in your long-term fitness and nutrition goals (especially because you don't have to fight anyone for an elliptical). Follow a weekend workout schedule so you can plan your day accordingly. If you have a set time and a game plan, you're less likely to skip out on your workout. Tip: go before you start tackling your to-do list for the day. This also frees up your late afternoons for a reality-TV marathon of your choice. Yes!
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Have a Better Brunch
After a few too many Bellinis and slices of bacon, you can say goodbye to all the hard work you put in at the gym. Your best brunch bet is a protein packed omelet (egg whites if you like), filled with your favorite veggies and light on the cheese. Choose wheat or whole grain toast instead of a roll or white bread. Pass on the potatoes and ask for a side salad or sliced tomatoes instead. Keep your breakfast booze to a minimum.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Don't Drink your Calories
From coffee to cocktails, high-calorie drinks can really sabotage your diet. Steer clear of fattening specialty coffee drinks and go for a small skim latte with cinnamon sprinkled on top. When you're out on the town, anything frozen and/or topped with an umbrella (think daiquiris and margaritas) is probably loaded with calories. Opt for light beer (100 calories a bottle or less) or one shot of hard alcohol mixed with a zero-calorie soda and lime. Avoid high-calorie sodas or juices. Be sure to order a water or club soda in between drinks to rehydrate.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Dine Right
If you're going out for dinner, start with a salad or vegetable-based soup as an appetizer. Choose fresh fish or lean meat entrees rather than pasta in heavy cream sauce. Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions. If you're craving something that's a bit of a splurge, order the appetizer portion with a salad to keep portion control in check.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Have a Power Walking Powwow
Spending time with friends usually revolves around food and drinks. Why not catch up over a long walk around the neighborhood? Not only will brisk power walking burn calories, but it will get you outside for some fresh air—and keep you away from the fridge and FaceBook! :-) Exercising with friends is a great way to stay motivated and keep each other on track.
Weekend Fitness Tip:
Channel Grandma
Spend some time in the kitchen preparing a few meals that can easily freeze, like chili or pot of homemade chicken soup. You'll be so glad you planned ahead after a long, stressful day when you have zero motivation to chop, dice or bake.

What's your weekend fitness schedule? Does power walking work for you? Share your weekend fitness and nutrition goals with me!