YouTube Has Taken Over...

Anyone ever stop to think about how much we "depend" on YouTube? You can literally find anything on YouTube, from weird commercials, to the most random videos of people whom you don't know, doing things that are really not that safe! (See above video for proof of THAT! My favorite is the guy who forgot to let go of the bowling ball...)

Don't get me wrong here; I'm a fan of YouTube, and have been for a long time... Once I watched a whole season of Scrubs on YouTube - in the span of a couple of weeks! I came home from work, and went straight to the computer... Life felt a bit empty after I was all caught up!

Seriously though, you can watch almost anything on YouTube! I'm surprised MTV is still around. Who would wait for their favorite song to show up on TV when they can just type it in and watch it within seconds? (Note: I may be a fan of YouTube, but NOT of MTV!! ;)

Well, this has been the most random post ever! Stay tuned for more, and don't forget to tip your waiters and waitresses..

Name or No-Name?

Is there a difference between the name brand and the no-name brand? I recently went to the store to buy allergy pills, and in the past, I have always saved a couple of dollars by buying the no-name brand. Sometimes I saved more than a couple of dollars, since the price of certain name brand medication is very over-priced!

In the last few weeks however, I've been bombarded with TV commercials for Benadryl, Reactine, Claritin and all the rest of the allergy meds out there. So, for the first time I was actually thinking about branching out and trying one of those names instead of my usual pills that have worked great for years! (How commercials rob us of our sense and logic...)

I spent a few minutes looking at the smorgasbord of allergy pills on the shelf, and then I decided to ask the pharmacist. I told him my allergy symptoms, and asked him if the no-name brand was as good as Benadryl, Claritin and Reactine. Let me tell you, none of those TV commercials could have prepared me for what he told me!

He cleared his throat, nervously looked over his shoulders and then said, "I shouldn't be telling you this, but... (How many times have I heard that delicious phrase!) ...the no name brand is no different than any of the name brands - in fact, it actually can be better for you."

Well, you could have knocked me down with a baseball bat. ;) My only regret is that I didn't ask him how the no-name brand is better for you...or maybe I didn't really want to know the answer to that one! I walked away once again having saved myself a few dollars, and I am once again using my trusty no-name allergy pills. (That work!)

It's amazing how much trust we put into "them." Who are "they?" The people or companies who tell us that something is good for us, or is needed by our bodies. How do we know they are telling us the truth? But I could write a novel on this topic, so I think I will save it for another day!

Whatever Happened To?

Has anyone heard anything about Taylor Hicks? I fell in love with him during the fifth season of American Idol (yes, I know that he has gray hair and dances funny, but you can't help who you fall for, okay?), but I haven't heard squat about him since he won.

Personally, I don't think he was right for AI (or Artificial Intelligence for that matter!) :P I know he was struggling, but I think American Idol ruined him. He should have pressed on, and I think eventually he would have made it, and we would be hearing about him! But what do I know...I'm not a struggling musician by any means, and no one knows what they would do until they are actually in the situation they are judging!

So where is he now? We hear about the winners of American Idol all the time - even some of the runners-up. (Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry for example.) The winning process is supposed to be the same for everyone. First you release your first single (that someone else wrote for you), then you do a set of Ford commercials, then your album comes out and you go on tour, do music videos, appear on MTV and the entertainment/late night talk shows. It is a formula that has worked for many, but something went wrong with Taylor Hicks. I think he is making music, but the public seems to have forgotten him completely - sort of like a shooting star, he has disappeared.

Who knows what happened? Maybe he fought the system. Maybe he didn't like the way they took over the song writing. Maybe the American Idol Mafia made off with him in the night...okay, I know that last one was a bit far-fetched!

Where are you Taylor? I would like to see you again, but if you are coming without the old, real you, then I'm no longer interested. I liked the charisma, the gray hair and yes, even the goofy dancing!

5 Ways to Stay Healthy

Obesity and "unhealthiness" are on the rise in North America, and more and more people are searching for ways to keep themselves and their families healthy. In a world of fast foods, junk foods and MSG, (not to mention all of the cravings brought on by TV commercials!) it is no wonder that our waistlines are expanding. There are a few ways to keep your body healthy however, so do not give up hope just yet.

1 -Drink Water: Everybody has heard all their lives that we should be drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, and for the most part, people tend to ignore this, or at best only partially obey it. Do not under-estimate the health benefits of water If you drink enough of it every day, it will constantly flush toxins out of your body, and you will feel the difference! Speaking from personal experience, since I started drinking 3 litres (100 oz) a day, I no longer feel the need for caffeine, and I have energy that I never thought possible.

2 - Eat Your Greens: Yes, I know what many of you are thinking right now - Rabbit food is for rabbits! Lettuce, broccoli, carrots, celery and all the rest of the "greens and veggies" group have more health benefits for your body than can even be named here. Vegetables are full of much needed vitamins and minerals. They also fight heart disease, stroke and contain cancer fighting phytocemicals.

3 - Go for a Walk: Do not underestimate the power of walking. It is the simplest and easiest form of exercise, yet it can do a lot for your body. Walking helps heart health, reduces body fat, helps to get you in shape and it only takes 30 minutes a day.

4 - Relax: The stress of life can get to us sometimes, but we need to be careful not to let it get the better of us. Stress is not very healthy for anyone, and it can cause some serious problems, like anxiety and heart attacks. Take some time to spend by yourself and with your family members each day. Relaxing like this daily can ease the stress of the day and put things in perspective.

5 - Get some sleep: Not getting enough sleep at night can cause obesity, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and a whole lot of other things that are not pleasant! Adults need between 7 and 8 hours of sleep a night to function well throughout the day. Tip: Getting too much sleep a night (more than 8 hours) can also cause fatigue!

These 5 suggestions will help you live a happier, healthier life, but only if you follow them! If 5 things seem to hard to do all at once, try focusing on doing one each week. Soon, all 5 ways to stay healthy will develop into good habits, and will become a normal part of your life - your healthier life!