Jewelry Shopping

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist

(from  http://ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro02.shtm)

When you’re in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price and service. If you’re not familiar with reputable brick-and-mortar jewelers in your area, ask family members, friends or co-workers for recommendations. At the store:

• Ask about the refund and return policy before you buy.
• Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewelry.
• Ask whether the pearls are natural, cultured or imitation.
• Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created or imitation.
• Ask whether the gemstone has been treated, whether the change is permanent and whether special care is required.
• Make sure your sales receipt includes any information you relied on when making your purchase, like the gem’s weight or size. Some jewelers may give you a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

If you are planning to shop for jewelry online:

• Shop with companies you know or do some homework before you buy to make sure a company is legitimate. You might check a reputation by entering the outlet’s name and the word ‘complaints’ before giving them your business.
• Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant’s refund and return policies, before you buy.
• Look for a street address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help. Call the number to test. You may want to know if the seller is in another country.

Cell Phone

Cell phones carry a lot of information. The new breed of smart phones have our whole life's information in one place (calendar, contacts, social media sites, banks, mail, shopping, etc). Having our cell phone stolen or lost is a known hazard. Another hazard  is someone stealing the information off your phone as you pass by.
It seems that some phones have automatic access  and don't have to ask permission - the purpose is to tell you when you've missed a call or received a text message.

Read more at:
http://news.menshealth.com/your-phones-biggest-security-risk/2011/12/07/?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-MensHealth-_-Content-MHNews-_-PhoneSecurity

 Bottom line:
1. Close opened apps not in use
2. Encrypt sensitive data
3. Lock your phone
ex: The Perfect App Protector (android), Pic Lock (iphone)
4. Install antivirus
5. Beware of email scams asking you to click unknown links
6. Install a phone tracker
ex: Mobile Defense or Find My Phone
Gotya Face Trap takes a picture if the screen lock password is incorrect and emails it to you along with the phone's location

Body Mass Index

Your body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of your body fat that is based on your height and weight. Doctors use BMI, along with other health indicators, to assess an adult’s current health status and potential health risks.

 

Typically, people with higher BMIs have a greater likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea.  But many factors — including family history, eating habits and activity level — a influence your overall health.

BMI calculator results are grouped into the broad categories of underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese.

  

Read more about BMI and access BMI calculators: 

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-05-2010/bmi_calculator.html?cmp=NLC-HLTH-CTRL-120111-HEALTHTOOL1-70

http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

Winter Skin Care

In general, your skin is driest in winter, when temperatures and humidity levels plummet. Winter conditions also tend to make many existing skin conditions worse.

1. Use an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. 

The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come in ointment form contain the most oil because an ointment, by definition, consists of 80% oil and 20% water. This water-in-oil emulsion forms a protective layer on the skin and makes it more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions. Ointments are especially beneficial when humidity is low. Ointments should not be used on areas of the body that tend to get hot and sweaty. 

   
Not all oils are appropriate for the face. Instead, look for "nonclogging" oils, like avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil, or almond oil.
  
You can also look for lotions containing "humectants," a class of substances (including glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy acids) that attract moisture to your skin.

Massage the face cream  gently into the dry areas of the face, always away from the direction in which lines tend to form. The up-and-away movement is best. Start at the base of the throat, end at the temples.


2. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face and your hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.


3. Wear gloves when you go outside. The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands. That means it's harder to keep your hands moist, especially in cold, dry weather. This can lead to itchiness and cracking.



4. Use a moisturizing soap and shampoo.  
Many popular soaps and detergents strip lipids and water from your skin. Deodorant and antibacterial soaps are usually the most damaging, as are many shampoos that dry out your scalp. Frequent showering or bathing, especially if you like the water hot and your baths long, breaks down the lipid barriers in your skin.


5. Use a body lotion, working in upward and outward movements. Don’t forget the feet and legs. Massage the feet, heels, elbows and any areas of the body that look or feel rough and dry


Read more at:
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/ten-winter-skin-care-tips
http://www.howy.org/health-fitness/winter-skin-care.html
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/winterizing_tips.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2009/jan-23b.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-skin/DS00560/DSECTION=causes