4 Surprising Secrets About Bottled Water

Bottled-Water Secret #1: It doesn’t taste any better

In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Sensory Studies, researchers asked people to rate the taste of six bottled mineral waters and six types of tap water. They found that, overall, bottled water didn’t perform any better than the stuff from the tap. The reason: It’s mineral concentration, not "water purity," that influences flavor. The study’s participants preferred water with medium mineralization, which they described as “tasteless” and “cooler,” but whether it came from a bottle or the tap made little difference. What is clear: By filling your belly, drinking water before meals can help you lose a ton of weight. In fact, it's one of the 20 Habits Skinny People Live By.

Bottled-Water Secret #2: It’s not necessarily pure

 The Natural Resources Defense Council recently tested 1,000 bottles of water and discovered that about 22 percent of the brands in the study contained chemical contaminants at levels above state health limits. And in 2011, California State University researchers tested six brands of bottled water and found that while none contained more than the legal level of contaminates, all six exceeded California public health goals for arsenic. There’s also substantial research showing that when certain plastic bottles are heated at high temperatures, chemicals from the plastic can leach into a container’s contents (a good reason not to store cases of water in the garage this summer). The takeaway: Don’t let label jargon like “pure” and “natural” fool you. Unlike bottled water, tap water is subject to strict federal, state, and local guidelines, making it a safer beverage choice.

Bottled-Water Secret #3: It may be glorified tap water

Exotic names and labels conjure up images of tropical waterfalls and mountaintop springs, but in reality, roughly 25 percent of all bottled water comes from municipal water sources. Coca-Cola’s Dasani, for example, is nothing but purified tap water with added minerals. And Pepsi’s Aquafina? Another bottle of city water. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to be drinking tap water anyway, I’d rather save some cash and drink the free version. For more beverage secrets, including detailed list of the worst drinks in America, pick up a copy of Drink This, Not That!

Bottled-Water Secret #4: It’s hurting our planet

Most water bottles are made of a plastic called polyethylene terepthalate, or PET. There are two problems with PET bottles. Problem 1: They take a boatload of crude oil to produce. University of Louisville researchers estimate that around 17 million barrels of oil are used each year to produce PET water bottles—a major reason why bottled water costs roughly four times as much as gasoline. Problem 2: We’re chucking our water bottles in the trash, instead of the recycling bin. According to the Container Recycling Institute, nearly 90 percent of the 30 billion PET water bottles we buy annually end up in landfills—a huge problem when you consider that PET bottles take from 400 to 1,000 years to decompose. The bottom line: We should all take a cue from environmentally conscious activists like the folks at the University of Vermont—which recently banned bottled-water sales on campus—and opt for the tap whenever possible.

Cut Car Repair Costs!

By Teri Cettina

Although you'd rather use your money on more interesting things, you're likely to spend a huge chunk of change maintaining and repairing your car. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), it now costs nearly $9,000 a year to drive an average-size sedan. And if you own a four-wheel-drive SUV, your annual expenses are more than $11,000. Photo credit: Getty Images

You can't control the roller-coaster costs of gas. And you have only a little wiggle room on insurance fees. But you can save big bucks on car maintenance and repairs. Here's how to keep your car in good running condition-without shelling out too much.

 

1. Maintain and prevent.

The number-one way to pay less on car repairs is to avoid them in the first place. Keep your ride in prime shape by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. You'll find it in your car owner's manual (lost yours? find it on Edmunds.com), and service is usually suggested every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. "But don't go by the recommended list of services a dealer or an auto shop hands you; they may suggest extras you don't need," warns Carroll Lachnit, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. Also, change your oil as regularly as the manual mandates, which is probably every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, says Lachnit-and not every 3,000 miles as the quickie-lube type shops may advise.

2. Find a reputable shop and be loyal.

Never pick a repair shop out of the phone book or based on an ad. Ask for recommendations from friends, family or coworkers, advises Jim Houser, co-owner of Hawthorne Auto Clinic in Portland, OR. And once you find a good shop, stay with it. "Shops tend to offer regular customers special money-saving coupons and breaks on repair costs because they know you'll return," he says.

 

3. Stick with independent shops.

Unless your car is under warranty and you must go to your dealer for service, head to an independent shop. While these smaller outfits charge close to the same as dealers for parts and labor, you'll save because "they won't sell you unnecessary repairs and services," says Houser. Since dealer service managers often work on commission, it benefits them to sell you as many services as possible-whether or not you need them. 

4. Get a second opinion.

If a dealer pushes a service or repair that your warranty doesn't cover, ask another dealer for their take, suggests Pam Oakes, owner of Pam's Motor City Automotive, in Fort Myers, FL. If you bring your car to an independent repair shop, get a second opinion for any fix over a few hundred dollars. Try another independent shop that specializes in your car's model or a chain like Honest 1 or Meineke if friends or family have recommended them. Even if you have to pay to get the car towed to the second shop, it's worth it, says Oakes. "You could save $1,000 or more if you don't need the suggested repair or learn there's a cheaper workaround," she says. 

5. Do your homework and ask educated questions.

Look online for basic info about your car's problem or suggested repair. You could save money because you may learn which repairs are required and which are just suggested. Then, prepare your questions. "The shop's staff will respect you for being a good researcher and consumer," says Oakes. A reputable shop should be willing to explain in lay language-and even show you-what's going on with your car. If the owner or mechanic is annoyed by your questions or talks over your head, he or she may be trying to intimidate you, sell you unnecessary services or overcharge you. Find a new shop, pronto.

6. Know average charges for repairs.

Websites like RepairPal.com and AutoMD.com offer estimates for common repairs to your make of car in your part of the country. Not sure what's wrong with your ride? You may be able to take a diagnostic quiz to pinpoint the problem. And then you'll get a rough idea of what repairs should cost so you're sure you're getting a fair price. 

7. Pay attention to warnings your car gives you.

They're your vehicle's way of telling you it needs some TLC. Ignoring those signals puts you at risk for doing major, expensive damage. So if your check-engine light comes on, get it evaluated at a reputable shop within a few days. If that light flashes, don't drive at all-get your car towed instead. If your oil light comes on, immediately call for a tow. Hearing an odd sound? Take the car in, suggests Lachnit. If it's a simple fix, you'll get it taken care of before it morphs into a more expensive repair. 

8. Become a DIY-er.

You don't need to be that handy to change your windshield wiper blades, swap out your air filter or put air in your tires, but doing these yourself can save you money. For instance, oil-change shops charge $29 to $60 to replace an air filter, but Lachnit says you can buy one for less than $15 and install it in five minutes. If you're hesitant about making any of these fixes, ask your favorite mechanic for a few pointers after you've developed a good rapport with him or her. 

9. Baby your car.

Have your vehicle thoroughly washed and detailed every few months. It may sound silly, but Oakes says car owners tend to drive more gently and get repairs faster if their ride looks nice. A good-looking car also discourages fellow drivers from casually dinging your door in the parking lot. Likewise, be picky about where you park-even if you have to walk a bit farther to your destination-so you avoid careless drivers and scratchy bushes that may send you to the body shop. 

10. Get a check-up before you travel.

Have your mechanic top off your car's fluids and inspect the tires in advance of a trip. After all, you don't want your car to break down in an unfamiliar place and be towed to a mechanic you don't know if you can trust. According to Oakes, anytime you end up in a shop you haven't researched-or in an emergency situation when you can't compare repair prices-you risk spending more than necessary and getting shoddy service.

12 Things to Buy Used: You can save a lot by purchasing these items second-hand rather than new

Do you have an aversion to buying second-hand items? Don’t like the idea that someone else used them first? Well, get over it because you can save a lot by buying used rather than new.

Many pre-owned items can cost up to 50% to 75% less than the price you’d pay if you purchased them new. Often you can find "used" goods that have hardly even been used. And with some items, retailers or manufacturers refurbish and repackage them so that they’re practically new again. Here are 12 things that you should consider buying used because you often can find them in good or almost-new condition at a fraction of the price you would pay by buying them new.  

Furniture. If you want to avoid the straight-out-of-the-furniture-showroom look or just don’t have a lot of money to spend outfitting your abode, hit up estate sales, consignment stores, antique stores or even yard sales to find unique and affordable pieces. Craigslist.org is another good source of used furniture. For example, we found a china cabinet, dining table and six chairs for sale on the site for $475. A similar table and chairs was $1,199 at Macys.com and similar china cabinet was $1,499. Word of caution: Don’t buy used mattresses (unless you want to risk getting bed bugs) and consider getting upholstered items professionally cleaned before bringing them into your home.  

Designer jeans. A pair of designer jeans (brands such as True Religion, 7 For All Mankind, Paige, Joe’s Jeans) typically cost $150 to $200. But you can find a gently worn pair at an upscale consignment store for a third of that price. Don’t like the idea that someone else wore them? Well, there’s a good chance at least one – maybe several – people tried on the “new” jeans you bought at the store. (And you probably didn’t think to wash them before wearing them because you assumed they hadn’t been worn.)  

Tablets. The way to get a deal on pricey tablets is to buy refurbished models, which are tested to meet manufacturer specifications. For example, a new iPad2 with Wi-Fi, 3G and 16GB costs $529 new but only $399 refurbished. When buying refurbished, look for tablets with a warranty – one year is ideal, according to dealnews.com.  

Swing sets. High-end, deluxe wooden swing sets can cost as much as several thousand dollars. But even simple models are at least $300, which can be a lot to pay for something your kids will quickly outgrow. That's why it’s smart to buy used swing sets, which you can find for half the original price. Check your local paper’s classifieds or Craigslist.org.  

Books and college textbooks. You can pick up paperbacks at yard sales for $1 (or less) or find them at used bookstores or online at sites such as Amazon.com for a lot less than you’d pay if you bought them new. You also can cut the cost of college textbooks in half by buying used. Use sites such as BigWords.com, CampusBooks.com and AllBookstores.com to scan multiple online retailers to find the lowest-price.  

Kids' bicycles. No need to spend a lot of money on a bike that your child will quickly outgrow. You likely can find a used one with little wear and tear (because the previous owner outgrew it quickly) at a fraction of the cost of a new bike.  

Video games. If your kids (or you) aren’t intent on buying the latest, greatest video games at the time of their release, you can spend half as much buying games used rather than new. Among the retailers that sell pre-owned video games are Amazon.com, Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart.  

Lawn equipment. Mowers, trimmers, pressure washers and other outdoor equipment are good things to buy used because you can easily see what sort of condition they’re in. If the equipment is clean and the parts are barely worn, you know it’s been gently used.  

Power tools. Sometimes people buy tools to complete a project, then never use them again – and unload them at great prices. So no need to pay full price for a tool that you can buy gently used for a lot less. You can find reconditioned tools at Amazon.com, or search Craigslist.org or the classifieds for like-new tools.  

Baby gear. The cost of all the gear parents often buy when having a baby -- such as a crib, bassinet, stroller and high-chair -- can add up quickly. But there’s no need to spend a lot buying these items new when you can find them in mint condition at consignment sales or online auctions for a lot less. Don’t buy used car seats, though, because they might have been involved in an accident, their safety features might have been compromised or they might have been recalled.  

Baby, toddler and kid clothing. Because kids -- especially babies -- grow out of clothing so quickly, it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot on their apparel. You can find name-brand children’s clothing in good condition for just a few bucks per item at upscale consignment stores, which are selective about the items they accept.  

Exercise equipment. Plenty of people have every intention of starting an exercise regimen when they purchase treadmills or elliptical machines, but many times this pricey equipment just gathers dust. That’s why it’s often easy to find used exercise equipment in great condition at great prices -- and you don’t have to feel so guilty if you don’t end up using it as much as you anticipated. For example, we found many name-brand treadmills and elliptical trainers listed for $300 or less on the Washington, D.C., Craigslist.

Installation complete. Some products failed to install (Autodesk Revit MEP 2012 installation error)

Issue:  When installing your Autodesk product, the installation fails immediately and the screen indicates that Installation complete. Some products failed to install.

The link to the installation log file in your %TEMP% location shows that the failure is due to a prerequisite installer similar to this entry below:

Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable (x86) Failed Installation aborted, Result=1603

Subseqent attempts to install the product yield similar failures.

Solution #1:  In some rare instances, the prerequisite cannot installed until the workstation is rebooted, or cannot be installed by the Autodesk installer and must be installed manually from the media or by downloading the prerequisite directly from Microsoft's website.  For more information about this solution, please visit this Autodesk KB link:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=15924324&linkID=9240857

Solution #2:  In most instances, the installation fails because the prerequisite already installed on the workstation is newer than the one supplied by the Autodesk installer.  Because Windows will not allow an older version of the prerequisite to be installed, the installation aborts with a 1603 error in the installation log file.

The most direct method to resolve this issue is to remove the installed prerequisite from Windows from within the Control Panel.  You can launch the Control Panel directly from the Start Menu or from the Run box by typing CONTROL and clicking OK.

To remove a program in Control Panel choose:

Windows XP: Add/Remove Programs

Windows 7:  Programs and Features

Locate the program name of the prerequisite that is failing in your log file from within this list and click Remove or Uninstall.  This will remove the program from your computer.

Once the program has been removed, run your Autodesk installer again.  If you run into additional failures on prerequisites, repeat the process.  You should now be able to fully install and run your product.

For more information about this error, please see the Up and Ready blog link here:

http://upandready.typepad.com/up_and_ready/2011/09/autodesk-suites-product-design-suite-will-not-ins...

Note:  When installing Autodesk products, it is recommended that you have local Administrative rights, User Access Control (UAC) is off, and your real-time anti-virus program is temporarily disabled. In some instances it may be helpful to login as another user with local admin rights and/or copy the contents of the media to you hard drive and install locally. 

How To Use Google Music Outside USA

Google Music left beta stage four days ago and was made available “to all”, at least in the United States. Today we came across a rather simple method involving Tor (the anonymity network) which enables Google Music outside the USA. Check it out after the break.

The method comes from Engadget – a popular consumer electronics website – in the form of a guide-post where they discuss how to go about the process of tricking Google Music to work outside USA.

We won’t get into the details of what Google Music is about since you can read about that here.

How To Enable Google Music Outside USA

Step 1: Locate and download the APK for Google Music 4.0.9. Use your Google-fu skills.

Step 2: Download and install Tor browser bundle [Official Website] for your operating system.

Step 3: Launch Tor from the desktop. You should see the Vidalia Control Panel with an onion at the top. When this onion turns green, it means you’ve connected to the Tor network.

Tor’s integrated browser will open up. Close it.

Step 4: From the main menu, click View the Network.

Step 5: You must now find a US-based node. US nodes are the ones with, well, the little US flag. Right click copy > fingerprint for a US-based node that is near the top of the list of nodes. Paste this to a text file so you can use it in Step 8.

Step 6: Exit the Tor Network Map window.

Step 7: Click on Settings and go to Advanced tab from the Vidalia Control Panel. You will see an option to edit torrc file, click on it to open up a text editor.

Step 8: Add the following to the very top of the file:

ExitNodes XXX
StrictExitNodes 1

Where XXX is the fingerprint you noted in Step 5. Click on OK.

Step 9: Exit Tor and launch it again.

Step 10: Open up Tor’s browser and login to music.google.com to set things up.

Step 11: Once set up, close Tor’s browser and Tor itself.

If the hack worked, you should be able to login to music.google.com using your favorite browser.

Step 12: Install the uploading software for Google Music to your desktop. Be sure to install Google Music from Step 1 on your device after enabling Unknown Sources from Settings > Applications.

If you followed the steps correctly, you should now be able to use Google Music outside USA. We’ve tested the method and can confirm that it works.

Use Google Docs as a Batch PDF Converter

If you have a huge bundle of Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets and PowerPoint Presentations on your hard drive that you would like to convert into PDF at once without investing in commercial software like Adobe Acrobat, try Google Docs.

While it has always been possible to convert Office documents into PDF using Google Docs, the new export feature makes it even easier for you to batch convert Microsoft Office and OpenOffice file formats into PDF (or HTML) in three easy steps.

Batch Conversion to PDF with Google Docs

Step #1 – Create a new “input” folder in Google Docs where you’ll upload all your documents and presentations that are to converted into PDF.

Step #2 – Now select the Upload Document option in Google Docs, set the destination folder to the one that you created in Step #1 and upload* all your documents.

Google Docs officially supports the following file formats though you may also upload images:

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pps).
• Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), OpenDocument (.odt) and StarOffice (.sxw).
• Microsoft Excel (csv, .xls, .xlsx) files and OpenDocument Spreadsheet (.ods).

[*] You may also use the email option to upload documents onto Google Docs but that would put everything on the main folder and managing documents can therefore become a issue especially when you have too many files.

Step #3 -  Once all files are uploaded onto Google Docs, open the dashboard again and select the “input” folder from the right sidebar. Select all the files in this folder and choose “Export” under “More Options”.

Here’s select “PDF” (or HTML) as the output format and all your Word Documents, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. will be instantly converted into PDF.

And if you are converting a large batch of documents into PDF, you don’t have to wait in the browser for the conversion to finish as Google Docs will automatically send you an email once the processing is over. The email will have a link from where you can directly download all the PDF files in one large ZIP.

Operation failed with error 0x0000007e when adding a printer

When trying to add a network printer on Windows 7, the following error may occur:

“Windows cannot connect to the printer.”
Details: “Operation failed with error 0x0000007e”

There are several solutions for this problem:

Solution 1::
You can try to connect to the printer, using a local port. To try this solution, do the following:

1. Install the printer locally on port lpt2
2. Open a dos prompt (cmd.exe) and enter the following command:
   net use LPT2 \\computername\sharedprintername /persistent:yes

This is only a workaround, but works for most people. Let’s hope Microsoft can develop a consistent solution in the near future.

Solution 2:
Some printers require the drivers to be installed before you add the printer in Windows. This is the case with some Lexmark printers, as well as some HP Laserjets. When a printer gets a wrong driver assigned (for example a Vista driver instead of a Windows 7 driver), the printer may not connect correctly.

To solve this, make sure you download the latest Windows 7 driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Solution 3:
When you do not have the English language on your Windows 7 machine, you may verify the Language for Non-Unicode.

1. Go to your Control Panel –> Region and Language –> Administrative
2. Click Change system locale
3. Set the Current System Locale to English (United States)

Solution 4:
Download and install the following hotfix:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982728/en-us
Follow the instructions on the website

I hope that the solutions described above helps for some of you!

Recovering Ubuntu After Installing Windows

Using the Ubuntu CD (Recommended)

• Insert your Ubuntu CD, reboot your computer and boot into a live session.

• Install and run Boot-Repair, select 'First Repair' and apply.

• Reboot without the CD. GRUB menu will appear and will propose both Ubuntu and Windows.

Using Boot-Repair-Disk

• Download Boot-Repair-Disk

• Burn it on a CD or put it on USB key via Unetbootin
• Insert the Boot-Repair-Disk and reboot the PC
• Choose 32 or 64bits

• Boot-Repair will automatically start. Select 'First Repair' and apply.

• Reboot without the CD. GRUB menu will appear and will propose both Ubuntu and Windows.

Using the Unofficial Rescatux

• Download Rescatux

• Burn the Rescatux ISO in a cdrom
• Make your PC boot from the cdrom
• At Boot screen
  • If your Ubuntu installation is not 64 bit (most probable) just press 'ENTER'
  • If your Ubuntu installation is 64 bit: Select 'Live 64 bit' option and press 'ENTER'
• Select 'GRUB' option and click on OK button
• Select 'Restore grub / Fix Linux Boot' option and click on OK button
• Select the partition where your Ubuntu is and click on OK button
• Select the hard disk where you want GRUB to be installed (usually the first one)
• Define hard disk order as the BIOS one
• 'Grub was installed OK' confirmation / GRUB was not installed error will appear

• Look for 'System' -> 'Shutdown' in the top tray in order to halt your machine

Using the Ubuntu Alternate CD

1. Enter your computers BIOS to check computer can boot from CD ROM. If you can boot from CD, insert CD ROM into drive. Exit the BIOS (if needed save your settings to make sure the computer boots from the CD ROM).

2. When the Ubuntu splash screen comes up with the boot: prompt, type in rescue and press enter.

3. Choose your language, location (country) and then keyboard layout as if you were doing a fresh install.
4. Enter a host name, or leave it with the default (Ubuntu).

5. At this stage you are presented with a screen where you can select which partition is your root partition (there is a list of the partitions on your hard drive, so you are required to know which partition number Ubuntu is on). This will be dev/discs/disc0/partX, where the X is a partition number.

6. You are then presented with a command prompt (a hash), type:

$ grub-install /dev/XXX

where XXX is the device of your Ubuntu install. (eg: grub-install /dev/sdb).

The Hidden Health Benefits of Sex

"Having sex regularly can do more than make you feel closer to your partner—it can actually make you physically healthier," says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University and author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and Deserve. Check out a few of the surprising perks you can reap from a good romp.

Less Stress

If you're freaking out about tomorrow's job interview, slip between the sheets. Research from the University of the West of Scotland reveals that people who had intercourse at least once over two weeks were better able to manage stressful situations such as public speaking, says study author and psychology professor Stuart Brody, Ph.D. That's because endorphins and oxytocin are released during sex, and these feel-good hormones activate pleasure centers in the brain that create feelings of intimacy and relaxation and help stave off anxiety and depression, says WH advisor Laura Berman, Ph.D., an assistant clinical professor of ob-gyn and psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and author of It's Not Him, It's You! You don't have to climax to net the effects, but you'll get the biggest surge of soothing hormones if you have an orgasm. Just one more reason to shoot for a stellar finish!

Sounder Sleep

It's downright dreamy how an O can lull you to sleep. That's because the same endorphins that help you de-stress can also relax your mind and body, priming you for slumber, says Cindy M. Meston, Ph.D., director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin and coauthor of Why Women Have Sex. Plus, during orgasm, the hormone prolactin is released. "Prolactin levels are naturally higher when we sleep, which suggests a strong relationship between the two," she says. But if you're wild in the sack, take note: Highly active sex can make you feel more energized than sleepy. Sex should never be a snooze, but if you want to use knocking boots as a sleep aid, skip the acrobatics and opt for a subdued session.

Tip: Healthy Women's Orgasm

It's healthy for you and your partner to know your body and learn what excites you most. Dr. Keri Peterson shares tips on how women can become confident and in-control of their own bodies

Minimized Pain

Talk about flipping the script:

"Yes, tonight, honey—I have a headache." The surge of hormones released after an orgasm can help ease any annoying ache, whether it's a strained back or a head pounder, says Meston. A study conducted at the Headache Clinic at Southern Illinois University found that half of female migraine sufferers reported relief after climaxing.

"The endorphins that are released during an orgasm closely resemble morphine, and they effectively relieve pain," says Meston. Have a migraine but your man isn't around? Self-medicate by treating yourself with some solo sex. As long as you hit your peak, masturbating will have the same soothing effect.

Fewer Colds

There's nothing sexy about sneezing, wheezing, or that runny-nose look. But getting hot and bothered can help you avoid coming down with the sniffles: People who have sex were found to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA), according to researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. These antibodies help combat diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu. Save up your sick days and use them as sex days!

A Youthful Glow

Get busy to get gorgeous: In a study conducted at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, a panel of judges viewed participants through a one-way mirror and guessed their ages. Those who were enjoying lots of nooky with a steady partner—four times a week, on average—were perceived to be seven to 12 years younger than their actual age. Regular sex promotes the release of hormones, including testosterone and estrogen, which can keep the body looking young and vital; estrogen has also been shown to promote soft skin and shiny hair, says Meston. Move over, moisturizer—time to turn back the clock with some shagging.

Lighter Periods (with Fewer Cramps)

"When a woman orgasms, her uterus contracts and, in the process, rids the body of cramp-causing compounds," explains Meston. The increased number of uterine contractions can also help expel blood and tissue more quickly, helping to end your period faster, she adds.

Going horizontal while menstruating has also been shown to help decrease the risk for endometriosis, a common condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing pelvic pain and sex that hurts, according to researchers at Yale University School of Medicine.

Sex during your period may not sound too appealing, but don't stress over making a mess. Just lay down a dark-colored towel and stick to missionary; when you're lying down, your flow tends to be lighter, says WH advisor Michelle Callahan, Ph.D., author of Ms. Typed: Stop Sabotaging Your Relationships and Find Dating Success.

A More Toned Bod

Sex counts as cardio! A romp can burn anywhere from 85 to 250 calories, depending on the length of the session (obviously a quickie will be less strenuous than an all-night pleasurefest), says Meston. In fact, cardiologists consider sexual activity comparable to a modest workout on a treadmill, according to a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology.

Not only will your ticker get a workout, but you'll also squeeze in some sculpting:

"Your abs and the muscles in your back, butt, and thighs get a good workout as you thrust during sex," says Hutcherson. Looks like you have a pretty good reason to skip spin class on Sunday morning and work up a sweat in bed.

Top Foods for Beautiful Teeth

If you’ve learned the hard way that sticky, sugary foods lead to cavities, you’ll be happy to know that certain foods, beverages and common herbs can prevent them. They’re part of a dental diet that safeguards healthy teeth by neutralizing harmful bacteria, fortifying enamel and reducing gum disease.

For example, crunchy fruits and vegetables ply off plaque like a toothbrush, while healthy fats from fish may reduce gum disease.
The latest research shows the mouth acts like a microcosm of the body.
“Conditions in the mouth often contribute to disease in the body,” says David Lerner, D.D.S., a holistic dentist from Yorktown, N.Y.
That’s because the root of most chronic diseases, above the neck and below, is inflammation-causing bacteria, which enter the bloodstream through the mouth. In fact, gum disease can signal – or even trigger – serious systemic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
“Gum disease is like the canary in the coal mine,” says Philippe P. Hujoel, D.D.S., from Washington State University’s Epidemiology Department.

Paying attention to a healthy dental diet is particularly important for women. Rising hormone levels – around puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause – can actually spur the growth of bacteria that lead to plaque and attack healthy teeth, says Rhea Haugseth, D.D.S., president-elect of the American Academy of Dentistry.
So include more of these 12 foods in your diet, and your next dental appointment may be a breeze.

1. Crunchy vegetables
Crunchy, water-rich snacks, like carrots, celery and apples, act like nature's toothbrush to keep your teeth healthy. Chewing crispy vegetables scrapes teeth and gradually chips off harmful plaque between them.
Plus, they stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that triggers cavities in healthy teeth, according to the American Dental Hygienists Association.

2. Fish
Gum disease is 20% lower in people who eat a diet rich in omega-3s, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish and linolenic acid (LNA) from plant-food sources, according to a 2010 study by Harvard researcher Asghar Z. Naqvi, M.Ph.
Fish are rich in DHA and EPA, while LNA rich foods include flaxseed, walnuts, pecans (whole and nut butters) and oils such as canola, hemp, pumpkin seed and extra virgin olive oil.
Because researchers asked participants to guess their intake of omega-3 foods, the actual amount of DHA, EPA and/or LNA wasn’t exact. But they concluded health benefits came primarily from diet, not supplements. Those who used supplements didn’t show any additional advantage, researchers say.

3. Beta-Carotene-Packed Produce
Orange-colored vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and winter squash, are loaded with beta-carotene (vitamin A), an essential nutrient for forming strong bones, and healthy teeth and gum tissue.
Diets low in these nutrients can lead to increased tooth loss, research shows. Meals high in simple carbohydrates, like rice and sugary foods, and low in vitamin-A-rich vegetables resulted in more decay than those with fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene, according to a 2009 study of more than 20,000 Japanese dentists.
Best sources are orange-colored fruits and vegetables like carrots, cantaloupe, apricots, papaya and squash, as well as green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.

4. Mushrooms
When plaque lingers on teeth, it hardens and forms tartar, which leads to gum disease. Only a dental hygienist can remove tartar, but shiitake mushrooms can stop plaque from forming in the first place.
A 2000 Japanese study at Nihon University found that a sugar in shiitake mushrooms (lentinan) creates an unfriendly environment for various plaque-causing Streptococcus bacteria.
Beating plaque is as easy as adding a cup of shiitake mushrooms to a stir-fry or stew.

5. Vitamin-C-Rich Fruits and Veggies
Building strong gum tissue requires a plentiful diet of fruits and vegetables because of their vitamin C content. It helps prevent gingivitis, a disease that causes gums to redden, swell, bleed and ultimately leads to tooth loss.
According to research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), people who consume less than 60 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C per day had nearly 1-1/2 times more risk of developing severe gingivitis than those who took in 180 mg a day – the same amount you’d find in a half cup of guava.
A cup of raw broccoli or half a cantaloupe has 75 mg of vitamin C, nearly a full day’s minimum requirement for women (the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) is 85 mg for women 19 and older).
Do you smoke? Then, you’ll need 35 mg more vitamin C per day to ward off gingivitis, because cigarettes reduce vitamin C levels in the blood, according to a 2000 study by the State University of New York at Buffalo, published in the Journal of Periodontology.

6. Cheese
Everyone knows dairy products are tooth-friendly because of calcium. But here’s another reason to eat cheese: It can stop cavities.
Cavities like an acidic environment, and certain cheeses, like aged cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack, help balance pH levels in your mouth.
When eaten alone as a snack or at the end of a meal, these stimulate saliva flow, which clears the mouth of food debris and neutralizes harmful acids.
Furthermore, teeth constantly go through a process of shedding and regaining bone-building minerals, called demineralization and remineralization.
When the calcium and phosphorus in cheese combine with saliva, the reaction restores minerals, thus keeping teeth stronger, Haugseth says.

7. Almonds
To stay strong, healthy teeth need a combination of phosphorus for bone formation; vitamin D and magnesium for calcium absorption; vitamin B to prevent mouth sores; and vitamin C and potassium for strong gum tissue.
One food packed with all these healthy-teeth nutrients is an ounce of almonds (about 20-25 nuts).
Almonds also neutralize cavity-causing acids, says David Leader, D.D.S, assistant clinical professor at Tufts Dental School in Boston.

8. Chocolate
Candy is a dentist’s nemesis, but unique properties in cocoa and its husk actually maintain healthy teeth, according to several new studies.
Cocoa extracts work as well as fluoride to strengthen teeth and protect them from decay, Japanese researchers at Osaka University discovered. But not just any chocolate will do.
Tulane University researchers compared different types of European chocolate and found that dark chocolate, made from 70% cocoa, had the most protective effect, because it contains the most polyphenols (health-boosting compounds) to protect teeth.
And it doesn’t take much. Study participants ate a small 15 gram (g) piece of dark chocolate (approximately 76 calories).
The study’s lead researcher Arman Sadeghpour, has even proposed a new peppermint-cocoa toothpaste called Theodent, pending FDA approval, as an effective natural alternative to fluoride in toothpaste.
The Tulane study could prove beneficial especially since earlier this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded that Americans might be getting too much fluoride from drinking water and food sources. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, resulting in a permanent staining of teeth and brittle bones.

9. Tea
A cup of tea can do more than soothe nerves. It’s good for healthy teeth too. Black or green tea is a rich source of micronutrients that reduce gum disease and prevent cavities, according to a 2004 Rutgers University study. Researchers showed antioxidants in green tea, called catechins, reduce gum inflammation.
While some avoid tea for fear of staining teeth, black tea contains polyphenols that produce a protective film that coats and shields teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.
10. Herbs and Spices
Great taste is just one reason to use sweet-smelling herbs. Spices like cinnamon and green herbs like mint, parsley and thyme are flush with monoterpenes, highly volatile compounds that make breath smell fresh and, more importantly, contain antibacterial properties that prevent cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans bacteria.
This is especially true for chewing gum. In 2004, University of Illinois researchers tested various chewing gums and found that brands with essential plant oils reduced bacteria that cause bad breath and cavities. Though the oils were used for flavor, even a small amount reduced bacteria, says Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry.
The helpful plant extracts were cinnamon and mint. Artificially flavored gum did little for dental health. In fact, the original formula for Listerine was made from a blend of menthol (from mint) and thymol (from thyme).
So next time you see a sprig of mint on your plate, don’t leave it. Eat it.

11. Onions
Your great-grandmother may not have known why onions relieve toothaches, but she was on the right track when she put a piece on a painful tooth or gum tissue.
Onions contain vitamin C and a host of antibacterial compounds like quercetin and isothiocyanates, according to research by the NIH. These plant-based antioxidants reduce bacteria and relieve inflammation, not to mention dental worries.

12. Wasabi
Japanese horseradish is a hot ingredient in the culinary world, but this spicy condiment also safeguards healthy teeth by fighting bacteria that cause cavities and gum abscesses.