Flip Flops...

To beat the summer heat, nothing seems more comfortable than the flips-flops.  However of late, lots of health experts and beauty therapists are talking about the damaging effects of wearing flip-flops, all the time.
When we talk about comfortable casual clothing for summers, flip-flops are a standard for all vacation and beach activities. But unfortunately, we need to look at other options for a cool casual summer look, as this kickback style can cause damage to your legs and feet.
Since, they don’t offer much of a cushion, have nearly no arch support and the grip is poor, your feet become highly susceptible to injuries and external damage. When you wear flip-flops, your muscles have to work harder and your joints are more stressed which can lead to problems later on. Also, since most of your foot remains exposed, you can suffer damage if something falls accidentally onto your feet or if your toes bump into any hard object.
Moderation is one solution
For the diehard flip-flops fans, who just cannot give up wearing their flip-flops completely, it’s better if they can at least avoid wearing them all the time. Wearing them once in a way really doesn’t pose much of a threat to your feet.  Use them only for your regular leveled walks or when you are sitting and relaxing in the sun or by the pool. For all other activities avoid wearing them.
Buy the best quality
When buying flip flops, avoid the temptation to save money, and stick to buying quality stuff only. The high end flip flops, which are definitely costlier, have an in built arch support and good cushioning to reduce the stress on your muscles and joints, while walking. Also pay attention to the shape and the material used, to safeguard your feet from accidental damage.
Consider alternatives
Some of the footwear brands have come up with newer flips-flops upgrades which offer more support and comfort, such as the currently popular strapped gladiator style.

Fathers Day Award!!

Is your dad worthy of an award? Of course he is! Make him this shiny, gold trophy for Father's Day.
Looking for more Father's Day fun? Get creative with one of these Father's Day crafts and recipe ideas.

What you'll need:

• 2 foam coffee cups
• 5 inch square box (or one cut to size)
• Masking tape
• 1 gold chenille stem
• Gold craft paint
• Black construction paper, cut to fit on side of box
• White paint pen
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• White craft glue

How to make it:

1. Turn cups upside down and trim bottom lips to make them flush. (See photo.)
2. Glue the bottoms of the two cups together. (See photo.)
3. Tape the square box shut by covering the entire box with masking tape. (See photo.)
4. When glue on the cups have dried, wrap a piece of masking tape around the middle where the two cups meet. (See photo.)
5. Cut the chenille stem in half and insert into each side of one of the cups as trophy handles. (See photo.)
6. Cover cups completely with masking tape. (See photo.)
7. Paint masking tape on both the trophy and the box gold. Let dry. (See photo.)
8. Write "Awarded World's Best Dad" on the black construction paper with white paint pen. Glue to the front of the box. (See photo.)
9. Pipe white glue onto the bottom of the cup that does not have the chenille handles. Press onto the top of the box and let glue dry completely. (See photo.)

 

Tips:

1. Fill the trophy cup with Dad's favorite candy.
2. Paper cups can be used instead of foam.
3. Use boxes from crackers, cereal bars, and convenience foods for projects like this one.

Drivers Spend Less Time on Cell Phones

The push to raise people’s awareness of distracted driving must be working because a survey found that drivers are using their mobile devices less than they did last year.
According to a survey by Nationwide Insurance, 20 percent of drivers surveyed said they text while driving, and of that group, 47% of drivers younger than 35 said they text and drive. Clearly, there’s work to be done with younger drivers. But four out of 10 of these drivers say they’re texting less than they did last year. The telephone survey of 1,005 U.S. adults was conducted by Harris Interactive from April 20-27.
What about drivers who just talk on their cell phones while behind the wheel? While 67% of drivers say they talk on their phones when driving, 30% of those drivers said they’re talking less than they did last year.
These numbers might sound high, but when Nationwide first started the annual survey in 2007, 73% of drivers talked on their cell phones when driving. In 2007, 19% of drivers admitted to texting and driving.

13 Things your Waiter/Waitress will not tell you

1. Avoid eating out on holidays and Saturday nights. The sheer volume of customers guarantees that most kitchens will be pushed beyond their ability to produce a high-quality dish.
2. There are almost never any sick days in the restaurant business. A busboy with a kid to support isn't going to stay home and miss out on $100 because he's got strep throat. And these are the people handling your food.
3. When customers' dissatisfaction devolves into personal attacks, adulterating food or drink is a convenient way for servers to exact covert vengeance. Waiters can and do spit in people's food.
4. Never say "I'm friends with the owner." Restaurant owners don't have friends. This marks you as a clueless poseur the moment you walk in the door.
5. Treat others as you want to be treated. (Yes, people need to be reminded of this.)
6. Don't snap your fingers to get our attention. Remember, we have shears that cut through bone in the kitchen.
7. Don't order meals that aren't on the menu. You're forcing the chef to cook something he doesn't make on a regular basis. If he makes the same entrée 10,000 times a month, the odds are good that the dish will be a home run every time.
8. Splitting entrées is okay, but don't ask for water, lemon, and sugar so you can make your own lemonade. What's next, grapes so you can press your own wine?
9. If you find a waiter you like, always ask to be seated in his or her section. Tell all your friends so they'll start asking for that server as well. You've just made that waiter look indispensable to the owner. The server will be grateful and take good care of you.
10. If you can't afford to leave a tip, you can't afford to eat in the restaurant. Servers could be giving 20 to 40 percent to the busboys, bartenders, maître d', or hostess.
11. Always examine the check. Sometimes large parties are unaware that a gratuity has been added to the bill, so they tip on top of it. Waiters "facilitate" this error. It's dishonest, it's wrong-and I did it all the time.
12. If you want to hang out, that's fine. But increase the tip to make up for money the server would have made if he or she had had another seating at that table.
13. Never, ever come in 15 minutes before closing time. The cooks are tired and will cook your dinner right away. So while you're chitchatting over salads, your entrées will be languishing under the heat lamp while the dishwasher is spraying industrial-strength, carcinogenic cleaning solvents in their immediate vicinity.