Top 10 hangover foods

Posted: 27-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: Daily Life | No comments

Marmite

One reason many of us feel so bad the morning after a drinking session is because alcohol depletes your system of essential nutrients, including B vitamins. A lack of B vitamins can cause anxiety and depression, so try munching on Marmite – a rich source of the vitamin B complex – to lift your mood. As an added benefit, Marmite has a high sodium content which can help replace the salts lost through drinking alcohol. Try the savoury spread on toast for an added fix of carbs.

Watermelon

Not only does alcohol deplete your body of nutrients, it can also lead to low blood sugar levels, which may leave you feeling weak and shaky. To counteract this, try snacking on watermelon, which is not only high in fructose but is also water-rich to boost hydration. On top of this, watermelon is high in many essential nutrients, including vitamin C, B-vitamins and magnesium.

Ginger

If too much alcohol has you feeling queasy, ginger is the perfect food to help settle your stomach andrelieve nausea. While you may not feel much like chewing on the food in its original form, you could try adding some grated ginger to hot water for a ginger tea, blending into a fresh fruit or vegetable juice, or snacking on ginger biscuits for a stomach-soothing treat.

Eggs

Scrambled, fried or boiled, eggs are a popular hangover breakfast, and the good news is they are a great choice for beating the nastiest of hangovers. Firstly, eggs are extremely rich in protein, which helps raise mood-boosting serotonin levels as well as helping to reduce nausea. Furthermore, eggs are rich in an amino acid called cystine, which helps fight against the alcohol-induced toxins that contribute to your hangover.

Bananas

Bananas are packed with potassium and magnesium, two of the minerals often depleted in our bodies when alcohol is consumed. A lack of potassium in the body can lead to nausea, weakness and tiredness, so stocking up on bananas can help reduce these classic hangover symptoms. As an added bonus, bananas are natural antacids so great for reducing stomach acid, and are good for providing a boost of energy if you have a busy day ahead.

Soup

One of the most important steps for beating a hangover is getting your body rehydrated, and this can be done through what you eat as much as what you drink. To up your fluids and sodium levelsand get a shot of nutrients all at once, try some health-boosting vegetable or miso soup. As an added benefit, soup is easy on the stomach so good if you’re feeling a bit queasy.

Oats

Due to the diuretic effects of alcohol, the body loses many essential minerals and vitamins during a heavy drinking session. Luckily, oats can provide you with many of these nutrients, including B vitamins (good for the liver and mood) and essential minerals magnesium, calcium and iron. On top of this, oats can help neutralise acidity levels in the body, cleanse the liver, absorb toxins and slowly raise blood sugar levels, making a bowl of porridge the perfect hangover breakfast.

Fruit juice

If you’re feeling a bit queasy at the thought of food, then this is the cure for you. While it’s great to line your stomach with food if you can, to replace lost vitamins, raise blood sugar levels andrehydrate your body, you can’t do much better than a glass of fresh juice. Not only is juice good for immediate relief, the fructose will also help speed up the removal of alcohol from your blood.

Sardines

If you’re craving something savoury, sardines on toast could be the perfect morning-after breakfast. A major cause of hangovers is an imbalance of electrolytes, and sardines are rich in many of these vital minerals, including sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium. In addition to this, sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for protecting the liver as well aslifting the mood.

Coconut water

Many hangover sufferers swear by sports drinks as a way to hydrate the body and help rebalance electrolytes. However, sports drinks are often carbonated, which can irritate the stomach, and packed with refined sugars. For a natural alternative to sports drinks, try sipping on some coconut water, which contains essential electrolytes (including calcium, potassium and magnesium) to boost hydration, and is also soothing for the stomach.

Copied from: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/10-hangover-foods-090000483.html

Boost your happiness at work

Posted: 27-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: Daily Life | No comments

Organise your work day

If your day often leaves you feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it is time to calm things down by getting more organised. Firstly, make sure you arrive a few minutes early for work to give you time to organize your tasks for the day and get mentally prepared. Secondly, organizeyour space by clearing away any clutter and streamlining your workspace (this includes clearing your desk and deleting old emails). Finally, make a list of everything that you need to do that day in order of priority. If you can, try taking care of the more difficult things first to take a weight off your mind.

Wear a mood-boosting outfit

While many of us are required to wear a uniform or adhere to a dress code for work, if you do have more freedom to dress as you wish, try opting for clothes or accessories that boost your mood. Whether you opt for a piece of jewelry that reminds you of a special memory, a colourful bag to brighten up your day, that confidence- boosting outfit, or even your favourite underwear beneath it all, adding something special to your worn-in work attire can really brighten your day.

Add some variety to your day

They say variety is the spice of life, and this is never truer than when it comes to your working day. Following the same routine day in, day out can quickly cause boredom and dissatisfaction to set in, so try making every day a little different in any way you can. Try doing routine tasks in a different order, talking to someone new or taking a different route to work (perhaps even using a different mode of transport, such as cycling, if you can). If you really can’t shake up your work day itself, instead try organising something fun and different to do on your lunch break every so often.

Brighten up your desk

Research has shown that workers who have input into the design of their workspace are up to 40 per cent happier than those who do not. While you may not have the authority (or inclination) to decorate or rearrange your whole office or work place, try brightening up your individual area by purchasing some nice stationery, putting up a photo, funny calendar or small piece of artwork, or getting a nice plant for your desk.

Stay active

If your working day is getting you down, try giving yourself an instant happiness boost by squeezing some exercise into your lunch break. Exercise is good for boosting self-esteem and letting off stress, and it also releases chemicals in the brain such as endorphins and anandamide which can boost your mood and leave you feeling great. If you have shower facilities at work you could go for a lunchtime run. Alternatively, a brisk walk around the shops will get your heart rate up without working up a sweat.

Snack on ‘happy foods’

Got a tough day ahead? Then make sure you pack some healthy snacks to keep your spirits up. Certain nutrients in food can affect how we feel, so try stocking up on well-known happiness-inducing foods such as walnuts (for Omega-3 fatty acids), bananas (for serotonin-producing tryptophan and relaxing magnesium) and wholegrains (for mood-boosting B vitamins). Also, stick to low-GI foods for slow-release energy, as low blood sugar levels can lead to depression and fatigue.

Be positive and friendly

Regardless of how you feel, try to adopt a positive and friendly attitude when talking to colleagues – yes, even the ones who get on your nerves! Try to resolve any conflicts, avoid office gossip, and treat everyone as you would like to be treated, and you may find that you get the same in return. Furthermore, research shows that the act of smiling can actually make you feel happier, so try to paste on a smile however you really feel – it may just boost your mood.

Appreciate what you have

If you know that your job isn’t the one for you but are stuck with it for now, try to make the best of what you’ve got. The job may not be permanent, but going to it every day with no sense of purpose (other than to get through to the end of the day) will quickly get you down. Try to identify a sense of purpose or positive of doing the job, whether it is noting that the position is getting you nearer to your dream job, helping others in some way, or giving you an opportunity to build on certain skills.

Copied from : http://sg.news.yahoo.com/boost-happiness-work-092110875.html

7 things to do for improved health in 2012

Posted: 27-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: Daily Life | No comments

Here are seven resolutions to make to be healthier and fitter in 2012. (Getty Images)

It’s resolution time and here are some good resolution ideas, and tips on how to make these resolutions, well, resolute. These tend to be “process goals” which eventually lead to success.

1. I will manage stress better

  • Keep a journal of thankful thoughts, written each evening
  • Manage your stress hormones better by eating nutrients that improve your body’s stress handling capability. Two great ones are magnesium taken after dinner and before bed, and glycine at least 3 grams taken before bed. Glycine also has the wonderful benefit of helping your body detoxify petro-chemicals (which we all have alot of, living in a city environment)

2. Every time I eat, half my plate will be veggies

There are high carb, low carb, high protein, low protein and high fat, low fat debates that will never end (because each of us is different and needs different ratios of nutrients). However there is one thing that ALL health experts will agree on.

We need to eat more veggies.

Making half your plate veggies is sure to get the job done. Besides the usual boiled or steamed veggies, one convenient way to get this done is to get that big bag of pre-cut veggies from the supermarket.

By the way, potatoes — are not veggies, and neither is pizza! Regardless of what the US department of agriculture might say.

When I say veggies I mean non-starchy ones.

3. I will do things to sleep better

I wrote a whole article about sleep on Yahoo! Singapore so go read it!

4. I will watch less TV, and surf less internet

I just gave a talk at a book launch this last week, and one of my points was that successful people have big libraries while unsuccessful people have big TVs.

Problems with TV

  • Junk food ads (any food that has an ad is likely to be bad for you)
  • Too much stimulation to the point where we lose some of our own ability to create and imagine because there is no need to (this is especially true for young kids – and bad for their futures)
  • We sit on our butt, wasting time for hours because TV is very entertaining in the short run, but with hardly any benefits in the long run.

5. I will train 30 mins at least 3x per week

The guidelines for exercise vary and range from somewhere around 30 mins/day to 60 mins/day. But that is for light activity. Simply walking one extra bus stop to work or climbing an extra flight of stairs to your flat is not going do to much. Stop kidding yourself.

I mean 30 mins of training, not light activity. This means a proper strength training program, or interval training. While the topic of exercise is too big to cover here, you can use these two interval methods to get a good workout.

1. Anaerobic intervals.

  • 1 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
  • 3 min light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

2. Aerobic intervals.

  • 2 min hard work (8 out of 10 exertion)
  • 4 mins light work (3 out of 10 exertion)

You can do these running, swimming, cycling, on a stair-master, rowing machine or elliptical. It doesn’t matter, but do try to change the machine or activity each week to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

6. I will take care of my soft tissue

Most of the chronic pain people experience is from their soft tissues. It’s usually not a joint out of place, but rather mismanaged tension in the interconnected web of muscles, fascia and connective tissue that make up most of our body.

A good massage once a week will help with these problems. And if its done by skilled hands, it can actually allign your body better.

If that is not practical, at least get yourself a gift of a foam roller to do some self massage.

7. I will eat more home-cooked food

While home cooked food can still be unhealthy if you deep fry it or make it with lots of refined carbohydrates, at least you know excatly what ingredients are in it.

I have a friend who is in the food distribution business and he sometimes watches his buyers prepare the veggies that he distributes. Often they are not washed before cooking.

I have another friend who is a hobbyist chef. He interned in a high class restaurant and even in this classy establishment, the cooking oil was not changed for two weeks.

All this means is that we need to take responsibility for what goes into our bodies. And that means cooking from home.

There we have it! Stay healthy and strong in 2012

For the best personal training and fitness bootcamps in Singapore visit genesisgym.com.sg

Copied from: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/7-things-improved-health-2012-131933423.html

What you should know about back pain

Posted: 27-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: Daily Life | No comments

Most people will have back pain at some point in their lives (Thinkstock photo)Most people will have back pain at some point in their lives (Thinkstock photo)

Our back muscles are some of the most frequently used in our bodies. They hold us upright against gravity, carry our body weight and move us around.

And just like us, they can get tired and overworked. When that happens, our spine compensates and does extra work, causing pain.

Back pain is a very common problem in Singapore, according to Dr Tan Kian Hian, consultant at the Department of Anaesthesiology, and director of the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

“About 90 per cent of the population will have had pain in the back at some point in their lives,” says Tan. “Fortunately, most cases can be resolved without treatment within six to 12 weeks.”

When to see a doctor

Typically caused by muscle strains, acute back pain usually lasts less than three months. If the pain interferes with daily activities, a medical consultation can be in good order. The doctor will physically examine your back and compile a history of your back problems.

Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is any pain that persists for more than three months. It can be very common, especially among those aged 55 years and above, it can be caused by ailments such as a slipped disc, spinal arthritis or disc disruption — a wear and tear of the “spring” in between the bones of our spine.

 

Related video: Advice and tips for neck pain relief

 

You should see a specialist in the following situations:

  • If the pain in your back is not getting better after some time, or if it’s getting worse
  • If you the pain shoots down one side of your leg to the foot
  • If you feel numbness or a tingling sensation
  • If your pain is worsened by bending over, or by coughing and straining

HOT TIP: We often don’t remember the exact names of the medicine we’re on. That’s why Tan advises patients to bring along any medication that they are currently taking. This is especially crucial if you are unsure or have any questions about them.

“I’ve had patients tell me that the medication they’ve got doesn’t work,” he explains. “But when I ask them which, they can only tell me that it’s the white tablet, or the yellow tablet, or the green tablet. When you bring along your medication, we can advise you better.”

What you can do to prevent or manage back pain

  • Observe the right posture

 

Most of us tend to slouch in front of the telly or computer or when reading. But bad postures like these can ultimately result in back pain. So make sure you observe the right postures when doing the following:

- When carrying heavy goods: Make sure the item you are carrying is close to you, so its centre of gravity is closer to your spine.

- When lifting heavy goods: Always bend your knees, and not your back.

- When carrying a backpack: Be sure to sling on both straps instead of leaving one strap dangling.

Related article: Is your mattress hurting your back?

  • Adopt a healthy diet

Keeping to a healthy diet — and healthy weight — helps, too.

Tan points out that extra body weight may strain your joints during movement or rest, and aggravate your back. Which is why it’s important to eat right, and maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) through regular exercise.

This reduces the load and stress on your back, preventing future injuries.

Looking for healthy recipes? Health Xchange has a treasure trove of delicious low-fat dishes.

  • Stay active

To keep your back flexible, Tan also suggests doing exercises. Some patients derive benefits from practising yoga and Pilates, within reasonable limits. You can also try stationary exercises like a cycling station. If that’s a challenge, even a stroll is good enough.

DID YOU KNOW? Contrary to popular belief, lying around in bed is the last thing you should do if you are actually suffering from back pain. Dr Tan explains: “Prolonged bed rest is harmful to your back because your muscles will become lazy. And when they do, you are opening the door to long-term problems.”

This article was written by Jaclyn Lim for Health Xchange, with expert input from the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

Find more healthy living tips and articles on HealthXchange.com.sg, Singapore’s trusted health and lifestyle portal.

Health Xchange’s articles are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.

Copied from: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-health/know-back-pain-104549887.html

MegaUpload alternatives: 6 sites still open for business

Posted: 27-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: IT Stuff | No comments
flickr/roland

 

The U.S. government’s shutdown of MegaUpload might have seemed like bad news for online file sharing, but it could be a boon for other file sharing sites — at least those that aren’t afraid to keep operating. While some MegaUpload alternatives have suspended operations or restricted U.S. visitors, others are alive and well, and remain confident about staying that way.

[ Free download: The law of unintended storage consequences ]

Here are six MegaUpload alternatives, and why you might use them:

MediaFire [Link]

Benefits and Restrictions: No login required, unlimited total storage, unlimited simultaneous downloads.

Restrictions: 200 MB file size limit, files removed if the user or the file is inactive for an unspecified period of time.

Premium Version: $9 per month Pro accounts get 4 GB max upload size, no time limits on storage, no ads, 100,000 MB per month of direct downloads, secure redundant backups and other benefits.

RapidShare [Link]

Benefits: No file size limit, unlimited storage, unlimited transfer speeds.

Restrictions: Must create login to upload files, wait time required before downloads, files removed after 30 days of inactivity.

Premium Version: A RapidPro account costs 9.90 euros per month, or less when purchased in longer durations. It includes no wait times before downloads, no time limits on storage and SSL-encrypted file transfers.

Oron [Link]

Benefits: No login required, no ads for registered users.

Restrictions: 400 MB max upload size (or 1 GB with login), 244 GB storage limit for registered users, files removed after 30 days of inactivity, users may not download more than 10,000 MB per three days, slower download speeds, wait times before downloads begin.

Premium Version: A premium account costs 9.95 euros, or less when purchased in longer durations. It includes a 2 GB maximum upload size (but only other premium users can download files larger than 1 GB), unlimited storage space, unlimited download speeds, unlimited parallel downloads, plus other benefits.

Deposit Files [Link]

Benefits: No login required.

Restrictions: 2 GB file size, wait times apply, 5 GB per day download limit, files removed after 30 days of inactivity (or 90 days for registered users), priority speeds given to paid users, one download allowed at a time.

Premium Version: A Gold account costs $11.95 per month, and includes up to 50 simultaneous downloads, 15 GB of downloads per day and no waiting times for downloads.

Wupload [Link]

Benefits: No login required.

Restrictions: 2 GB max file size, wait times before downloads, 750 GB max storage space, files removed after 30 days.

Premium Version: A $9 per month Premium account provides 10 GB max upload and download sizes, no wait times, parallel file downloads, ability to resume downloads, unlimited storage space, no time limits on storage.

Minus [Link]

Benefits: No login required, files never removed for registered users, desktop and mobile apps available, unlimited downloads and transfers, ability to share and search for publicly available files.

Restrictions: 2 GB maximum file size, 10 GB maximum storage (or up to 50 GB with referrals).

Premium Version: None available.

Copied from: http://www.itworld.com/security/244015/megaupload-alternatives-6-sites-still-open-business

How to reset a forgotten administrator’s password in Mac OS X Lion

Posted: 19-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: Other OS | No comments

Reader Lee Benjamin would like to reset his administrator’s password but it doesn’t work the way it once did. He writes:

I have a MacBook Pro that is used by myself and a few of my family members. My wife and son both know my administrator’s password and I think that has created a serious problem. One of my family downloaded a free Solitaire program and left it on my desktop. (It seems that no one remembers doing it.) I went to delete it from my desktop, and, as expected, I was asked to enter my system password. I typed it in but was immediately informed that the entry was incorrect. No one remembers changing the password, but it is definitely not the one I originally created.

In previous operating systems it was possible to insert the installation disc and strip the password entirely. This would allow the user to reset everything quite nicely. Since Lion came from the App store, however, there is no installation disc to insert. Is there some way out of this mess?

Indeed there is. Restart your MacBook Pro with the Option key held down and choose Recovery HD in the startup screen. From the Utilities menu in the Mac OS X Utilities screen that appears, choose Terminal. In the Terminal window that appears enter “resetpassword” (without the quotes) and press Return. A Reset Password window will pop up. Select your startup volume in the top of the window and then, from the pop-up menu below, select a user account—Lee, for example.

In the fields below that enter and confirm your new password. If you like, you can enter a password hint in the appropriate field. When everything is configured to your satisfaction, click on Save. Now choose Restart from the Apple menu and your Mac will do exactly that and will use the new password you’ve created.

Copied from: http://www.itworld.com/software/237481/resetting-forgotten-administrators-password-lion

How to Manually Change iPhone SpringBoard Strings

Posted: 19-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: iPhone Stuff | No comments

These are instructions how to manually change strings used by the SpringBoard on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

You may want to follow these instructions if you want to customize your SpringBoard. For example, you can change the status bar message ‘No Service’ to a string of your choice.

Step One
You will need to have jailbroken your device and installed iFile from Cydia.

Step Two
Launch iFile by tapping its icon on your SpringBoard.

Step Three
Press the back button until you get to the root directory of your device, then select System from the list of folders.

Step Four
Press to select the Library folder then tap to select the CoreServices folder.

Step Five
Tap to choose the SpringBoard.app folder then press to select the English.lproj folder.

Step Six
Press to select SpringBoard.strings then choose Text Viewer from the popup menu that appears.

Step Seven
Navigate to the string you would like to customize then click the Edit button at the top left of the screen.

Step Eight
Change the value of the string variable to your liking then click the Save button.

Step Nine
You can now reboot your device for the changes to take effect!

Copied from: http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=19352

Use Spike to copy multiple blocks of Word text or graphics

Posted: 19-01-2012 | Author: admin | Category: IT Stuff | No comments

Spike is a Clipboard feature available in Word that lets you copy multiple selections of content to the Clipboard and then paste them as a group to a new location. It’s easy to use and allows for a bit more flexibility when the need arises. You can use it in most any document, and it works with text and graphics, as follows:

  • Use [Ctrl]+[F3] to copy text and graphics to the Clipboard.
  • Use [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[F3] to paste the contents of Spike. (This process also clears Spike’s content.)

We’ll use the document below to illustrate how easy this feature is to use:

  1. Select the Galleries heading and press [Ctrl]+[F3].
  2. Select the Formatting paragraph (not the heading) and press [Ctrl]+[F3].
  3. Now, open a new document by pressing [Ctrl]+N.
  4. Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[F3] to copy both copied blocks into the blank document.

This feature copied both the heading and the paragraph of text to a new document with one pasting task. Imagine how much time you could save if you needed to copy many components!

This technique can have a downside, however, depending on how you look at it. When you copy text or graphics using Spike, you cut, not copy, the content from the source document. That might not be what you want. Fortunately, after pressing [Ctrl]+[F3] to copy text, you can press [Ctrl]+Z to undo the cut, without removing the content from Spike.

Pasting clears Spike, but you can paste its contents without clearing it, by doing the following:

  1. Type spike
  2. Press [F3].

Or, paste Spike content using the AutoText feature, as follows in Word 2010:

  1. Click the Insert tab.
  2. Click the Quick Parts option in the Text group.
  3. Choose AutoText and the Spike content will be at the bottom of the list.
In Word 2003, do the following:
  1. Choose AutoText from the Insert menu.
  2. Choose AutoText.
  3. Click the AutoText tab and you’ll find Spike in the Enter AutoText entries.

Both paste techniques will paste Spike’s contents without clearing it!

 

Microsoft Excel

Make every user a power Excel user with dynamic conditional row banding

Thanks to conditional formatting, you can apply several banding schemes to your Excel worksheets, and we’ve discussed several of them already. One possibility we haven’t reviewed, however, is using data to determine which rows are banded. Throw in a little data validation and you can let users band (or shade) specific rows by simply choosing an item from a list.

To illustrate this technique, we’ll use data validation to display category values. When the user chooses a category, conditional formatting will shade records for the selected category. For example, I choose Beverages from the data validation list is G2 to identify all beverage records.

Steps

Implementing this banding scheme is easier than you might think. First, we’ll create a unique list of category values from the actual data. Using that list, we’ll create the data validation list in G2. Then, we’ll add a conditional format that will shade rows where the Category value equals the value selected in G2. When applying this to your own worksheets, you might not need all three steps.

Step One

First, create a unique list of category values, as follows:

  1. Select the list of values. In this case, select G4..G46. Be sure to include the header cell (G4).
  2. Click the Data tab.
  3. In the Sort & Filter group, click Advanced. In Excel 2003, choose Filter from the Data menu, and then select Advanced Filter.
  4. In the resulting dialog box, check the Copy To Another Location option.
  5. The List Range option should reflect the selection ($G$4:$G$49) from step 1.
  6. In the Copy To control, enter $I$4. You can copy the list most anywhere you like. I chose to copy the list near the data range, so you could see it in the figures.
  7. Check the Unique Records Only option.
  8. Click OK and Excel will copy a list of unique category values to column I.

Step Two

Now you’re ready to build the validation list to make the whole process easy and intuitive for the user:

  1. Select the cell where you want to create the validation list. In this case, that’s G2. (I also entered some explanatory text in G1, to help alert the user – this isn’t necessary for the technique to work, but doing so helps the user.)
  2. Click Data Validation in the Data Tools group (on the Data tab). In Excel 2003, choose Validation from the Data menu.
  3. From the Allow dropdown, choose List.
  4. In the Source control, enter =$I$5:$I$20.
  5. Click OK.

Step Three

With the validation list in place, you’re ready to apply the conditional formatting that will create the bands:

  1. Select the data range. In this case, that’s A5..G49.
  2. Click the Home tab.
  3. In the Styles group, click the Conditional Formatting dropdown and choose New Rule. In Excel 2003, choose Conditional Formatting from the Format menu.
  4. In the upper panel, highlight the Use A Formula To Determine Which Cells To Format option. In Excel 2003, choose Formula Is from the Condition 1 control.
  5. In the Format Values Where This Formula Is True control, enter the following formula: =$G5=$G$2. (There’s no option name for this control in Excel 2003.) Pay close attention to the absolute references. If you don’t enter the $ symbols correctly, this technique won’t work.
  6. Click Format and then click the Fill tab (Patterns tab in Excel 2003) in the resulting dialog box.
  7. Choose a color and click OK.

Using it!

After applying the conditional format, you’re ready to put all the pieces together. From the validation list in G2, select any category and watch Excel update the bands, accordingly.

There are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind when using this technique:

  • If you use the ribbon version’s table feature, be sure to use a banding color that contrasts with the table’s light blue banding.
  • Because the unique list of category values isn’t dynamic, this technique works best with a static list of values. You’ll have to work much harder if you want the validation list to update when you enter a new category value.

 

Microsoft Outlook

Use a rule in Outlook to delay email messages

We all work differently and there’s no reason you can’t configure Outlook to accommodate your needs, when possible. For instance, you might write emails, but want to send them at a specific time. Maybe you want to edit the email later or you have some kind of timeline to maintain. One way to do this is to save messages to the Drafts folder until you’re ready to send them and then send them manually. If you do this as a matter of routine, you might want to create a delay rule.

 

For example, you might want to delay messages for an hour, giving you ample time to return later to make last minute changes. To create a delay rule, do the following:

  1. In the Mail window, click the Home tab.
  2. In the Move group, click the Rules dropdown.
  3. Choose Manage Rules & Alerts.
  4. In the resulting window, click New Rule.
  5. In the Start From A Blank Rule section, select Apply Rule On Messages I Send.
  6. Click Next twice and then Yes (you don’t need to set a condition at this point, but you could).
  7. Check the Delay Deliver By A Number Of Minutes option.
  8. In the step 2 pane, click the a number of minutes link, enter 60, and click OK.
  9. Click Next. In the next window, you could specify exceptions to your delay rule.
  10. Click Next.
  11. In the last pane, enter a name, such as Delay Send Rule.
  12. Click Finish, and then OK.

Delay rules come with an inherent problem-Outlook will send messages when the time arrives, regardless of your intentions. In addition, a delay rule like our example will impact all of your mail, not just those you actually need to delay. In other words, a delay rule might have some unfortunate repercussions, so use these rules judiciously.

Copied from: http://www.zdnetasia.com/use-spike-to-copy-multiple-blocks-of-word-text-or-graphics-62303564.htm

 

16 Signs It’s Time to Quit Your Job

Posted: 01-11-2011 | Author: admin | Category: Other Stuff | No comments

Tell me if this sounds familiar. It’s 7 p.m. on a Sunday night. You just finished dinner and are starting to settle down for the evening. Normally, this would be a relaxing time. Maybe you take the time to reflect on the past week, or perhaps plan your ambitious goals for the coming days.

But this night is somehow different. You suddenly become filled with a certain something. It’s a malaise that doesn’t let you do much more than click the remote control. You can’t exactly put your finger on what it is. Let’s call it the Sunday Night Blues.

Rather than relax, you actually begin to get worked up, even annoyed. It comes in waves. Then you realize you are grinding your teeth, dreading the predictability of tomorrow’s work day. It might be time to look for a new job.

[See 10 Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search.]

At some point, all of us will reach this crossroads. Maybe you’re there now. If you check off more than three items from the list below, it’s likely time to start actively looking for a better work arrangement.

Nightmares about work. There’s nothing worse than dreaming about work. It’s like spending hours at the office–without getting paid. The worst part is that employment nightmares can throw off your work-life balance, making you feel as if you have not had a healthy amount of time away from the office. Sometimes the dreams are so realistic, you wake up feeling like you’ve worked a 24-hour shift. These reflections of your subconscious might be sending you a message: Find a new job!

Boredom/predictability. When the minutes feel like hours, it’s time to move on. Boredom is a “gateway problem” to a host of ugly things. While the feeling might appear harmless, sustained periods of boredom can lead to a plethora of psychological and physical issues, including anxiety and depression. If you know everything your coworkers will do–before they do it–it’s time to go. Ennui is more than a mild irritant, it might be a telltale sign that a new job is needed.

Try, try, try. If you have spent the past year employing all of the tactics you’ve read on career advice blogs and in employment books, but keep winding up back in the same dark place, it’s time to find a new job. Sometimes advice can be summed up in two letters: G-O!

[See How to Choose a Career That's Best for You.]

Your Gut. Oftentimes, our minds and hearts will know the answer to a question. But rather than accept that, we ask anyone who will listen. And while these folks will do their best to deliver solid answers, the answer to seek new employment lies within. Ignore your instinct at your own peril. If a little voice keeps telling you to move on, you should listen up.

Management issues. If the people running the show appear confused, odds are, they are confused–and that doesn’t bode well for employees. Personnel can change, but company culture is much less likely to evolve quickly. Working amongst chaos is a major stressor, one that often outweighs a job’s perks. If your company doesn’t have their stuff together, you need to get your stuff together and leave.

Misaligned values. The ideal work scenario has you working for, and alongside, people who share a similar core value system with you. If the head honchos have different philosophical beliefs than you (i.e., let’s not recycle paper or let’s stay two hours late every night), the organization might not be a good fit for you.

Work is work. Every job should come with some fun. If the good times have been completely drained from your 9-to-5, you need to move on. Even employees conducting the most macabre jobs are able to share some laughs. If you find yourself working at Sourpuss Central, start sending out resumes and regain your inner child. Even a fake smile has a value!

[See Why a Quiet Office Is Bad News.]

Life change. As you collect your regular paychecks, life changes around you. Regularly evaluate your priorities. If you are planning to start a family or considering a cross-country move, it might be time to analyze how your current job stacks up against your new needs and wants. There’s no shame in changing, but it is a shame to not recognize that a change is needed.

Checked out. Helplessness and hopelessness have no place in positive lives. If work has made you question your own worth or value as an employee, you need to spruce up that resume.

Change in appearance. From weight gain or loss to bags under the eyes, if you’ve thrown in the towel with regards to your looks, or you find yourself either unable to eat or using food to pacify your angst, it may be time to punch up that resume. Appearance and confidence go hand-in-hand. Take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself if you like what you see.

Lack of sleep. Bad dreams are one thing, but insomnia brought on by the dread you feel waiting for the alarm clock to sound, is another. If you manage to catch a few winks, and they are restless and disturbed, take a hard look at your lifestyle. Is it the foods you are eating? A lack of exercise? Or is it your job?

Complaining about work. Some people just can’t leave their troubles at the office. They are defined by their jobs. If you suddenly find yourself consumed by work and unable to shake the negative attitude you have toward it, you may be heading down a dead-end path. In many cases, this behavior starts with a small work clique. Each member works the other ones up on how horrible everything job-related is. Ironically, you soon end up feeling isolated and miserable. Nothing productive comes out of chronic complaining, so get your butt in gear and put your money where your mouth is.

[See 10 Ways to Make Any Job Healthier.]

Job-search addiction. You start by checking once a day, then twice a day, before you know it, you’re practically living on job boards. The worst part is, you’re giving serious consideration to jobs that are unrelated to your skillset and pay substantially less than what your skills are worth. Check please!

Internet-search balance shift. Sure, most of us surf the Web at some point during our workday. But if you find that you are spending more and more time Web window shopping or treating fantasy football like it was reality football, you might as well start clearing out your desk. Give yourself this one-question quiz: Are you begging to be caught?

Your boss is cruel. Yelling. Manipulative games. Arrogance. If dealing with your boss is a royal pain and your company does not have the proper communication channels set up for you to address the issue, it might be time to move on. A bad boss might be tolerable, but a sadistic boss is unacceptable.

Your company doesn’t foster employee growth. Self motivation is exhausting. It’s a big plus to have your employer in your corner, helping you learn and grow as an employee. From tuition reimbursement to management mentoring programs, if your employer is not invested in you, you can’t expect to grow.

We want your additions to this list. What signs do you think are important to look for that indicate it’s time to find a new job?

Andrew G. Rosen is the founder and editor of Jobacle.com, a career advice blog. He is also the author ofHow to Quit Your Job and an established freelance blogger who is available for hire. Follow him on Twitter (@jobacle) or connect on LinkedIn.

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What to Eat Before an Interview

Posted: 01-11-2011 | Author: admin | Category: Other Stuff | No comments

No detail is too small when you’re job hunting. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to decide what you’ll wear to an interview, or what you’ll say when they ask, “Why should we hire you?” You want to bring your “A game” to every conversation.

Knowing what to eat for peak performance may be as important before a big meeting as it is when training for a marathon. Athletes know how to load up on all the right foods and how to hydrate on a regular basis, in addition to fueling up before a big race or game.

Think of your job hunt from a total body perspective and consider the following suggestions to help improve performance in key areas:

[In Pictures: Ignore These 10 Outdated Pieces of Job-Search Advice.]

Thinking clearly, optimal brain function. Web MD suggests antioxidant-rich blueberries, omega-3 essential fatty acids such as salmon, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds. Unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini may also help improve brain function. The article also suggests eating avocado to contribute to healthy blood flow and brain health. Other good “brain foods” include oatmeal, breads, brown rice, wheat germ, pomegranate juice, freshly brewed tea, and dark chocolate.

ArtBistro promotes incorporating flax into your diet, since it is “the best source of alphalinoleic, a healthy fat that enhances the performance of the cerebral cortex–where your brain processes sensory information.”

Other suggestions from ArtBistro to improve memory and focus include vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, which “help produce red blood cells and improve your sense of wellbeing and mental clarity.” Other suggestions for B vitamin intake include whole grains like brown rice, as well as broccoli, parsley, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Other important nutrients to help you focus include folic acid and vitamin K, found in leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.

[See Mastering the New Freelance Economy.]

Problem-solving skills. The Online Education Database reminds readers of foods that help prepare your brain to solve complex problems. Some of their suggestions include high-quality olive oil, organic foods (with fewer toxins), and superfoods such as goji berries and raw foods. The article also reminds readers not to miss breakfast, which has long been considered an important meal for brain function.

Reducing anxiety, controlling stress. Eating yogurt and nuts can help reduce anxiety, according to a study by scientists in Slovakia. Joey Asher reports on Speechworks’ blog: “The scientists gave either amino-acid supplements or a placebo to a group of men and asked them to give a speech. The men who had taken the supplements experienced half as much anxiety according to measurements of stress hormones in their bloodstream. Yogurt and nuts have very high levels of the type of amino-acids used in the study.”

[See 6 Ways the World of Work is Changing.]

While we’re all rushed and busy, grabbing the fastest thing to eat before an interview is unlikely to improve performance. Do you need to be chewing on chard right before you interview? Of course not! Fitness Magazine suggests eating the following in moderation at least an hour before your interview: lean protein such as fish, chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, or an egg-white omelet and a slice of whole-grain bread or brown rice, along with one cup of fruit or vegetables. Their expert suggests including tea or coffee with your meal if it’s part of your routine.

Approach your job hunt as an athlete trains for a race–take care of your body and mind so you’ll be in great shape to perform at your next important interview.

Miriam Salpeter is a job search and social media consultant, career coach, author, speaker, resume writer and owner of Keppie Careers. She is author of Social Networking for Career Success . Miriam teaches job seekers and entrepreneurs how to incorporate social media tools along with traditional strategies to empower their success. Connect with her via Twitter @Keppie_Careers.

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