Hear Susan Wise on 101.5 LITE FM and LiteMiami.com weekdays 5:00-10:00 a.m. ET
  • E-Mail Susan

  • Friday, March 7, 2008

    Liar liar pants on fire

    Author: Women Lie More, Better Than Men

    (CBS)

    Women lie more frequently than men, and they're much more clever about it and talented at it, to boot, a new book concludes.


    In "Little White Lies, Deep Dark Secrets: The Truth About Women and Deception," Susan Shapiro Barash cites an online survey of 500 women in asserting that females fib about everything from love, to money, to plastic surgery.

    Women are also much more prone to telling "little white lies" to try to keep from hurting someone's feelings, Barash contends.

    On The Early Show Tuesday, CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano explored the topic, and co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez chatted about it with actress and comedian Nancy Giles, who's a contributor on CBS News Sunday Morning and Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, a clinical psychologist in New York City.

    Solorzano says the book "takes an honest look at why women lie," seeking "some truth about dishonesty." Some 75 percent of the women who responded to the survey said they lie at work to keep their job. Half admitted lying about how much they like being a mother. And 75 percent fessed up to half-truths about shopping (telling their husbands they spent less than they really did).

    Hartstein says, "It's really a social thing. We don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. We don't want to put anybody down. So, we really work very hard to keep the peace, keep it easy, be nice, be cordial. But you can just say, 'Oh, it's great,' and walk away, or you don't have to say anything at all, because silence is golden sometimes!"

    Giles kidded that, "In many ways, we sort of have to (lie). It's part of our DNA -- just to manage, to keep our lives in balance. If you told the truth all the time, you'd be exhausted!"

    Happy gene

    The key to our happiness is strongly affected by the genes we inherit, according to new research.

    A study comparing identical and non-identical twins indicates that genes could control half the personality characteristics that keep us happy. Our lifestyle, career and relationships are linked to the other half.

    The study compared 900 pairs of identical and fraternal twins and looked for people who tended not to worry, and those who were conscientious and sociable.

    Identical twins share exactly the same genes, whereas fraternal twins differ genetically. The difference in results between the two groups suggested that personality traits were 50% influenced by people's genes.

    Lead researcher, Dr Alexander Weiss commented: 'Although happiness is subject to a wide range of external influences we have found there is a heritable component of happiness which can be entirely explained by genetic architecture of personality.'

    However, if you appear not to have inherited the happy gene, all is not lost. According to another medical expert, we can still train ourselves to be happier version of ourselves. That's a relief.

    Food Network Special

    Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets
    This hour-long prime time special combines two of Rachael Ray's greatest passions: food and animals.
    Rachael prepares three homemade recipes for her beloved dog, Isaboo, who gobbles them right up!

    Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets entertains and informs as it brings practical advice about safe and nutritious food for your pets.

    AIR TIMES:
    March 08, 2008 9:00 PM ET/PT
    March 09, 2008 12:00 AM ET/PT
    March 09, 2008 3:00 AM ET/PT
    March 14, 2008 8:00 PM ET/PT
    March 15, 2008 3:00 AM ET/PT
    March 15, 2008 7:00 PM ET/PT
    March 16, 2008 6:00 PM ET/PT

    Check out the orange Rachel Ray pots that Jeff wants. If it makes my food taste better, I'll buy 'em.

    "Precious Princess" winner
























    Introducing Princess Ashley!

    She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes. Congratulations to all the Precious Princesses. Don't miss the awe inspiring princesses when Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes at the American Airlines Arena March 26-30 and BankAtlantic Center April 3-6.

    Tinker Bell can't wait to see you!

    Thursday, March 6, 2008

    Who's driving?

    Teens who are passengers in automobiles that crash are more likely to die than younger children in the same setting, especially if the car is being driven by a young, inexperienced driver, a new study reveals.

    511 for springbreakers

    FDOT urges Spring Breakers to use the free 511 service for safer Florida travel



    Spring Break drivers can customize their travel routes to Florida’s world-renowned sun, surf and sand with the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) free 511 Traffic Information Service and My Florida 511 Internet feature at FL511.com. With millions expected to travel throughout the state, FDOT urges Florida drivers to use the free 511 phone and Internet service for real-time information on traffic conditions, construction updates and severe weather alerts.



    “Many of Florida's major universities have coinciding Spring Breaks this year,” said Mark B. Rosenberg, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “This means more students than normal will be driving home or to a vacation destination. To increase safety on the roadways, students should use safety tools, like FDOT’s free 511 service.”



    Schools that have overlapping Spring Breaks from March 10 to 14 include Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida A & M and University of Miami.



    Before leaving school or home, Spring Break travelers can log on to My Florida 511 at www.FL511.com to customize a primary and back-up travel route to their final Florida destination. The service lets users create custom names, such as “Beach” and “Back Up Beach.” With one voice prompt, callers can get information on their entire route.





    According to the Travel Channel, three of the top ten Spring Break destinations are Panama City, Daytona Beach and Key West. If 511 tells a traveler that an incident has occurred on I-95 on the way to South Florida, the caller can check traffic conditions on an alternative route, such as Florida’s Turnpike. If that alternative road is clear, the traveler has time to switch routes, save time and increase safety.



    “Traffic congestion can lead to accidents, which can lead to even more congestion,” said Florida Highway Patrol Major Ernesto Duarte. “If drivers can use 511 to plan a better route, everyone wins.”



    The 511 system uses simple Caller ID technology to recognize the caller and provides the option to hear traffic details for the programmed trips first. If there is an incident on one road, drivers can change routes before getting caught in congestion. The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides detailed instructions and useful tips for successfully using the customizable routes feature.



    Spring Breakers can call 511 to connect to the free Florida system from anywhere in the state. 511 recognizes a caller’s location and connects them to the service in their immediate area. The 511 service consists of the Statewide and five regional systems, including Central Florida, Northeast Florida, Southwest Florida, South Florida and Tampa Bay. By saying “other parts of the state,” a caller can transfer to any regional service and check road conditions on a local roadway.



    For those traveling by air, 511 callers in certain regions of the state can access information from major airports, including flight and parking information. “We encourage people to use the free service to provide a more seamless travel experience,” said Carolyn Fennell, Orlando International Airport’s Director of Public Affairs.



    For Florida residents, the free My Florida 511 customizable trip feature also works great for programming daily commutes. This service can prevent drivers from getting caught in traffic to or from the workplace, school or shopping and allows commuters to find out ahead of time about traffic due to an accident or construction.



    “The customizable trips feature speeds up the time spent navigating the voice-activated 511 phone system, which in turn, speeds up the time it takes to receive important roadway information,” said Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president, AAA Auto Club South. “Tourists and residents alike appreciate that they can better anticipate travel times. Just having that information easily accessible helps reduce the stress of driving.”



    In Florida, 511 is a free service of the FDOT and is accessible from land lines or cell phones, however cell phone minutes apply.



    511 Tips

    Speak as clearly as possible and minimize any background noise – including radios and open windows.
    Say “other parts of the state” to transfer to Florida’s regional 511 services.
    Say “help” for instructions.
    Say “next,” “previous,” “stop” or “repeat” to navigate through the phone menus more quickly.
    Say “main menu” at any time to start over.
    Say “feedback” to report congestion not already mentioned on 511.
    Interrupt 511 at any time if you already know your selection.


    Safety Tips

    Call 511 before you hit the road, at a rest area or have a passenger call to avoid talking while driving.
    Call 511 before you enter a new roadway to become aware of the current road condition.
    Customize your trip before you leave home at www.FL511.com to minimize time spent on the phone.
    Drive slowly and keep your lights on in low visibility.
    Always wear a seat belt.
    Don’t drink and drive!

    Cooking kids

    Tots to teens can learn skills to help in kitchen


    (Karen Fernau/The Arizona Republic)



    Kids who know their way around the kitchen can help their busy families sit down to a home-cooked meal. Teaching children to cook also can help a family save money by eating at home, instead of the more expensive option of grabbing dinner at a drive-through window or restaurant.

    But at what age should kids begin chopping vegetables, planning meals and following recipes? We asked Linda Hopkins, owner of Les Petites Gourmettes Children's Cooking School in Scottsdale, to suggest age-appropriate cooking tasks for 2-year-olds to teenagers. Children mature differently, so weigh her recommendations against your child's capabilities. No matter the age, however, Hopkins recommends supervising children in the kitchen.

    Ages 2 to 5

    • Toddlers love to measure, mix and stir. If they are able, ask that they count every stroke out loud. This helps make sure they are not stirring too much or too little. And counting is one of the first steps in developing math skills.

    • Let kids level off a cup of flour or teaspoon of sugar with a dull-edged dinner knife.

    • With baking, toddlers are capable of using cookie cutters or cutting dough strips into slices with a dull knife.

    • For safety, invest in a stool that locks in place, and insist that small children stand while cooking. Sitting on a countertop and standing on chairs, which can tip over easily, are invitations for accidents.

    • Teach them to use the back of a teaspoon to spread peanut butter, mayo, butter and other toppings on bread.

    • Allow kids to cut soft fruit, like bananas, with a kitchen knife.

    • Begin teaching kids to clean up after themselves, a lesson that must be reinforced at every age. If a 3-year-old spills milk, give the child a cloth and teach how to mop up the mess.

    Ages 6 and 7

    • Allow the child to use a peeler to remove skins from vegetables and fruit, and to shred cheese with a grater.

    • At this age, kids can use a hand mixer.

    • Teach them to crack eggs by gently tapping the egg on the counter, not the edge of a bowl. In Hopkins' cooking classes, kids enjoy cracking eggs more than any other activity.

    Ages 8 to 12

    • Begin involving kids in menu planning and meal preparation. Ask them to select a simple recipe to make one night a week for dinner. Meal planning also includes writing a shopping list for ingredients.

    • It's time to cook, following simple recipes.

    • Teach them how to prep food for a recipe. In other words, learning to read the recipe from beginning to end and preparing the ingredients in advance.

    • Kids can begin using the microwave; be sure they always remove food with a potholder or glove. A dish that initially feels cool enough to touch can turn scalding in a few seconds.

    • This age group can use a sharp chef's knife for chopping. Remember, a sharp knife is safer than a dull knife; the latter forces a cook to be more aggressive.

    • Kids can practice chopping skills by making a fresh salad for dinner.

    • Teach kids that if they accidentally drop a knife, plate or hot pot, to let it hit the floor. Trying to catch any of these can cause serious injuries.

    Ages 13 and older

    • These kids should be able to plan, prepare, cook and serve a meal.

    • Teenagers are busy, but most are capable of being responsible for at least one meal a week.

    • Teach them the concept of clean-as-you-go. For example, to wash the bowl used to mix the hamburger with onions and spices for a meatloaf while the meal is baking. Teenagers and their parents can be overwhelmed if faced with cleaning up all the cooking and dining dishes after the meal.

    • Cooking requires concentration, so discourage teenagers from talking on the phone or becoming engrossed in a television show while preparing dinner.

    • Remember, even accomplished chefs occasionally botch a meal. If this happens, encourage the young chef to identify what went wrong. Let him or her learn a lesson, then call for pizza delivery.

    Cookies for kids

    Join your child in the kitchen and bake cookies together. Here are some great recipes.

    Oreo® Party Pops
    by AllHomemadeCookies.com

    Ingredients:

    20 popsicle or lollipop sticks
    20 Oreo Double Stuff® cookies
    1 12-ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
    1 T. vegetable oil
    Chopped nuts, colored sprinkles or miniature candies like M&M's® or Reeses Pieces®

    Directions:

    * To form Oreo® Pops, insert popsicle sticks into the cream center of each cookie. Set aside.

    * In a small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate and oil until melted and smooth, stirring constantly.

    * Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate, coating evenly. Place dipped cookies on waxed paper and decorate with chopped nuts, sprinkles or candies.

    * Leave cookies on waxed paper until completely set, then wrap in plastic wrap and tie with a bow for gift-giving.

    Makes 20 Oreo® Pops

    "Precious Princess" winner
































    Introducing Princess Arianna!

    She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes." Make your princess's wish become her "happily ever after" tomorrow morning just after 6.

    She really does look like Belle.

    Wednesday, March 5, 2008

    Jobs for introverts

    By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing

    Do you cringe at the thought of networking with strangers and secretly pray to come down with the flu so you can avoid such situations? Ever feel like you’re the only person who despises working in teams or breaks into a cold sweat when giving presentations? If so, you’re in good company.


    Consider the following icons: Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Katherine Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Albert Einstein. Each of them has been labeled an introvert and chances are—if you’ve ever experienced the symptoms above—you have too.


    “Although introverts make up only 25 percent of the population, they make up a majority of the gifted population. Many highly successful people are thought to be introverts—even some presidents of the United States,” says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., co-author of "200 Best Jobs for Introverts" (JIST © 2008).


    But what about introverts who aren’t vying for the presidency or hoping to direct an award-winning film? What do they do?


    “Introverts sometimes get very frustrated working in today’s service-based economy, with so many jobs that emphasize serving the public or working in teams. Fortunately, there are plenty of good jobs that let people work by themselves and without interruption,” says Shatkin.


    He identifies the following occupations as some of the best jobs for introverts who want a career that complements their personality.

    "Precious Princess" winner























    Introducing Princess Caitlyn!


    She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes." Make your princess's wish become her "happily ever after" tomorrow morning just after 6.

    Playing dress-up is so much fun!

    Tuesday, March 4, 2008

    National Grammar Day

    Do you adore clean, correct sentences? Do ungrammatical advertisements make you cringe? We understand completely, and this is why the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar and MSN Encarta have designated March 4, 2008 as National Grammar Day.

    Find out how you can participate.

    Success secrets

    10 SUCCESS SECRETS BOSSES NEVER TELL YOU BUT SHOULD
    (Cosmopolitan)

    Playing It Safe Can Backfire: Most people see taking risks as opening themselves up to unnecessary, maybe even dangerous chances. In fact, the opposite is often true. You may think you're playing it safe by holding on to what you have, but in reality, you're just hindering your own progress.
    Failing = Success: The consequences of failure -- just like the potential consequences of taking risks -- are almost never as terrible as they seem. Just about anyone you can think of who's a huge success has overcome failure to get where they are today -- think of Michael Jordan, who was cut from his high school team.
    Give Up Control... Sometimes: In any office environment, there are many factors you can't control -- the trickiest of which are often interpersonal. People get on each other's nerves, step on each other's toes, vie for each other's jobs, and sometimes, at the other end of the spectrum, get inappropriately involved with each other. The only thing you can do is accept what you can't change and work around it.
    Show Your Ignorance: The act of asking is one of the most important elements of success. All too often, people fear that asking questions reveals ignorance, yet the opposite is true. The minute you ask about something, you've taken a step toward understanding it.
    If You Think You Know the Answer, Check Again: There's an old saying among journalists: "If your mother says she loves you, check it." And in fact, you can be sure that the minute you take something for granted, it won't be what you thought it was.
    Have a No-Surprises Policy: Never surprise your boss. If you have bad news, tell it. If you have good news, share it. For one thing, no one likes to feel out of the loop. And for another, hiding a crisis from someone who needs to know virtually guarantees the problem will be compounded.
    Be a Little Naughty: Rule breaking is an underappreciated and underutilized skill. If you look at any list of highly successful people, it's invariably populated with rule breakers -- from college dropouts like Bill Gates to female trailblazers like eBay's Meg Whitman.
    It's Not PC, But Looks Count: The way you present yourself makes a huge difference in how people perceive you, and not just in a superficial way. People make judgments about your abilities, self-confidence, and savvy based in part on what you choose to wear and how you choose to carry yourself.

    "Precious Princess" winner


































    Introducing Princess Mya!

    She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes." Make your princess's wish become her "happily ever after" tomorrow morning just after 6.

    A princess can have long hair or short hair just like Princess Diana.

    Monday, March 3, 2008

    Keep kids in their bed

    * Make your child's room inviting, decorated to his/her taste, and age-appropriate. Consider allowing your child to help decorate by at the very least picking out the bedding. For the more ambitious adventurers, give your child choices of a bedroom theme, positioning of bed and furniture (with your help, of course), and overall look and feel. The general idea is you want your child to absolutely LOVE his/her room and want to spend time in it!

    * Consider the size of the bed. Some parents move their child to a twin or even larger bed as soon as a child graduates from the crib. For some children, that is fine, but others may feel intimidated or even threatened by its size. Depending on a child's nature, toddler beds can provide a nice transition between crib and twin. These beds often are available in theme designs, such as a race car or castle. Make sure your child can easily get in and out of bed and feels comfortable in it.

    * Establish a memorable bedtime routine. The routine does not need to be elaborate; however, it should be something your child looks forward to each night and considers a special time. This can be as simple as reading a favorite book in a special part of the room, having a bath to soothing music, eating a snack and then brushing teeth, singing a favorite song, saying a prayer, exchanging highlights of the day, or even a special bedtime kiss-n-hug ritual.

    * Require your child to go to the bathroom just before bedtime. Sometimes its the need to go to the bathroom that then causes the child to wake and then want company.

    * Don't lie down with your child, or if you do, only stay for a brief time. You don't want your child to think he/she has to have someone lay down with him for sleep.

    * Establish the rule that your child will now sleep in his/her own bed and make no exceptions. Some parents report that it is helpful to build it into a celebration, such as "Now that you are starting kindergarten, you are expected to stay in your own bed every night" or "As a 4-year-old, you will get new privileges! One of those is the excitement of picking the toy you want to sleep with in your own bed every night."

    * Don't weaken to crying or whining. If you do, your child wins. Tell your child you are not going to keep coming in for kisses, hugs, discussion, begging, or pleading. Stick to this. If your child leaves the room, simply re-direct the child back without discussion. Show no weakness, or your child will know that this behavior results in a change.

    * Finally, even if you are totally exhausted or its an unseemly hour of the night, walk your child back to his/her room immediately if you receive a visitor. Don't over-react or give to much attention; simply say, "The rules are that you sleep in your own bed."

    If you maintain consistency and the rules, your child will be sleeping in his or her bed throughout the night in no time. And, you and your child will both get improved shut eye and be better prepared to face the new day together!

    Cover thief

    How to Deal with a Husband Who Steals the Covers
    Don't Get Left in the Cold

    (K.Ray)

    Everyone at one time or another has woken up cold because of a lack of blankets, and those who have a husband who steals the covers knows exactly how frustrating this can be. My husband steals the covers without realizing what he's doing, or so he says, and I'm left with the corners of two blankets and a sheet. It's hardly enough to keep me warm, especially on a cold winter night. If you're left out in the cold by a husband that steals the covers, try the following ideas. If these ideas don't work, consider separate beds!

    Buy Larger Covers

    My husband who steals the covers had a queen-size bed, and when we were married, his bed became our bed. It didn't take long to notice I would have trouble staying covered. He's a blanket hog! When he rolls over, he pulls the blankets with him as if he's the only one in the bed, and I'm usually left with a very small corner.

    I decided I would buy a king-size cover for our queen-size bed, and my idea worked quite well - at first. Although he still tried to steal the covers, it was nearly impossible for him to pull the entire comforter to his side. After buying a larger comforter for our queen-size bed I didn't find my self uncovered and cold every night because of my husband who steals the covers, but it was still a problem.

    Use Your Own Blanket

    Before buying a king-size comforter for our queen-size bed, most winter nights I went to bed with my own warm and comfy cover. My cover stealing husband could pull on the bed covers as much as he wanted, but I remained wrapped up in my own personal blanket. He wouldn't dare try to pull on my cover!

    Using a separate blanket works quite well for those with a husband who steals the covers, but folding an extra blanket each morning gets very old. I felt I shouldn't have to use my own blanket in our bed, and I couldn't understand how he could be so oblivious to my presence. We eventually bought a king-size bed that would fit our king-size comforter.

    A Larger Bed?

    My husband isn't a small guy, and maybe my solution for my chronic cover stealer was a larger bed. We ended up buying a king-size bed for our king-size problem, and it was like sleeping a mile apart. I thought for sure this would solve the problem, and although this works for some, my husband who steals the covers has kept on wrapping up and rolling over like a king-size burrito. When I don't go to bed with my own blanket, I still sometimes find myself with barely enough of the blankets to cover my body.

    Pull Back!

    When my husband and I were first married, I was always sweet, very polite, and giving, but after waking up freezing one too many times, I've started pulling back. If you have a husband who steals the covers, don't put up with his blanket stealing habit. Pull back on those blankets, and regain your right to stay covered at night! A husband who steals the covers won't ever change if he isn't continually made aware of what he's doing when he's sleeping, so don't be afraid to wake him up with a jerk. Grab the covers you're entitled too, and pull back hard. I've started pulling back my covers, and I've decided if king-size covers aren't big enough; it's time to get separate beds!

    Sleep tips

    Get some shut-eye:

    1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
    Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain and the body's need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help with sleep onset at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in.


    2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
    A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem-solving. Some studies suggest that soaking in hot water (such as a hot tub or bath) before retiring to bed can ease the transition into deeper sleep, but it should be done early enough that you are no longer sweating or over-heated. If you are unable to avoid tension and stress, it may be helpful to learn relaxation therapy from a trained professional. Finally, avoid exposure to bright light before bedtime because it signals the neurons that help control the sleep-wake cycle that it is time to awaken, not to sleep.

    3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.


    Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep – cool, quiet, dark, comfortable and free of interruptions. Also make your bedroom reflective of the value you place on sleep. Check your room for noise or other distractions, including a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring, light, and a dry or hot environment. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise," humidifiers, fans and other devices.

    More...

    "Precious Princess" winner
























    Presenting Princess Inas!

    She will join LITE FM for "Disney On Ice Presents Princess Wishes." Make your princess's wish become her "happily ever after" tomorrow morning just after 6.

    Love the gloves!!