Notes & News

Best Foot Forward

A summertime staple, flip-flops are easy to slip on, but their open design can leave your feet susceptible to cuts and scrapes. Watch your step when you’re out and about in a pair, or take the advice of doctors, who say to save them for the swimming pool or the beach.

Chill Out in the Shower

Ending a shower with a minute or two under cold water can cool you down on a hot day and provide some health benefits. Along with increasing circulation and boosting energy, a cold rinse causes your body to release endorphins, which can elevate your mood.

Ciao to Cherry Stains

Snacking on fresh cherries is a sweet summertime treat, but getting their red juice stains on your clothing is the pits! If the stain is fresh, cold running water will likely do the trick. Make sure the reverse side of the stain is facing the faucet, so the water stream will force the juice out of the fibers.

Highlights

Red, White and Blueberry

July brings National Blueberry Month, the prime time for the little blue fruit. It’s one of only a few fruits native to North America, and the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of blueberries, growing about 600 million pounds of wild and cultivated varieties each year.

Quick Phone Cover

For quick protection from outdoor elements, place your smartphone in a zip-close plastic sandwich bag. It will shield the device from water, sand or dirt, and you’ll still be able to see and use the phone’s touch screen.

A Bright Idea for Energy Savings

Much like dimming your smartphone screen can save its battery life, adjusting the brightness of televisions and computer monitors can reduce the amount of power the appliances use. The default brightness level on many TVs and computer screens is set very high, helping the device stand out when displayed in a store, but is unnecessarily bright for most home settings. Lowering a screen’s brightness can also be more comfortable for your eyes.

A Sweet Serving

One scoop of ice cream can dish out about 10% of the daily recommended amount of calcium.