Cinnabon is taking the sting out of Tax Day by offering free bite-sized versions of their famous cinnamon bun dessert. To find a Cinnabon near you, log onto cinnabon.findlocation.com. Hours and participation vary by location.
[photo: Andrew Currie]
From the category archives:
happy
Screw in a red or blue light bulb! According to a new survey of 500 wine sippers, folks enjoyed a wine’s flavor and thought it tasted more than twice as sweet when there was red or blue lighting in the background than when there was white or green lighting behind them, reports the Journal of Sensory Studies. It may be that pleasant lighting makes us perceive what we’re drinking as pleasant, too, says study author Daniel Oberfeld-Twistel, Ph.D.
[photo: jessicamelling]
Does your autistic child love movies, but finds the booming sound in movie theaters too loud and/or movie theaters too dark? Do you worry about sneaking diet-specific snacks into the theater? Do other movie-goers complain about the noise or movements your child makes? One mother’s solution was to ask the manager of her local AMC Theatre to set aside one screening just for autistic children and their families where they could watch a movie at a lower volume with the lights up, they could bring allergy-free and other diet-specific treats, and the kids could sing, clap, dance and make other noise. The manager agreed, and on the day of the special screening [more…]
It could be a lot if you didn’t look carefully at your store receipts before chucking them. Many retailers and restaurants—such as J.C. Penney, Old Navy, Home Depot and Panda Express—print a website link and special access code on some receipts that leads you to a short online survey. Answer the questions—which are typically about your most recent shopping trip—and you’ll be rewarded with 10% to 25% off your next purchase or entered into a sweepstakes to win a cash prize. But act fast—most access codes expire within days of your purchase.
[photo: AMagill]
Love the vibrant colors of these delightful creatures? You can have dozens of butterflies fluttering in your yard all day by planting the kind of garden they love to visit. Start by…
* Picking the perfect spot. It doesn’t matter if your garden is a small window box or a large space so long as it’s a sunny spot that’s sheltered from the wind by, say, a bush or fence.
* Choosing plants for each stage of their life. Caterpillars like to munch on milkweeds, nettles, violets and passion vines while adult butterflies enjoy drinking the nectar of butterfly bush, marigolds, zinnias and daisies. Tip: A wider variety of plants attracts a wider variety of butterflies.
* Making a butterfly lounge. Butterflies love to bask in the sun after eating, so give them a place to digest, such as a paving stone or brick.
*Adding a miniature pond. Butterflies sip water from small puddles, which you can simulate with a saucer or small plastic container. Drop in a branch or rock to give them and easy place to land.
[photo: aussiegall]
Sure, they bring May flowers, but getting drenched in an unexpected April downpour can ruin your hair, clothes and makeup. The good news: You can always know exactly when a rainstorm is on its way—and when it’s wise to take your umbrella even if it’s currently sunny outside—with these free services that make it easy to get the local weather anywhere anytime:
* On the web: For a four-day forecast, simply type “weather” plus your zip code in Google’s search box.
* Via text message: Send a text to The Weather Channel (42278) with your city’s name or zip code. You’ll immediately get a text back with the weather for that day.
* Over the phone: Dial 1 (800) 555-TELL and say “weather” to hear today’s forecast.
[photo: *Greig*]
If you get a gut feeling about something—for instance, whether a salesperson is really offering you the best deal—pay extra attention. It’s not your imagination—your hunch is actually a combination of memories of outcomes from past experiences as well as facts that your subconscious has picked up that are bubbling to the surface to help you make the right choice, according to research from Linköping University in Sweden. And, it’s this kind of “insider” information can help you make the best decision.
[photo: rumpleteaser]
When you want to make a family member or friend happy on their birthday or simply thank someone for their love and support, which gift do you think they’d like more:
A) An iPod
B) Jewelry
C) A framed photo of you and the giftee
It’s the framed photo! When Stanford University researchers surveyed birthday gift recipients, they consistently preferred meaningful presents over pricy ones, proving that the thought really is what counts.
[photo: ralphunden]
Bothered by fleas or bracing for the next infestation? Forget turning to smelly chemical-filled flea sprays. Ohio State University scientists say all it takes to wipe out fleas in your home is your vacuum cleaner. Turns out, vacuuming kills 96% of adult fleas and 100% of younger fleas. Surprised? So were the scientists who repeated the test several times to make sure they were right. And they were! So what makes a vacuum work as well as (and sometimes better) than sprays? Turns out, fleas are pretty fragile, so the brushes and suction in your vacuum cleaner are enough to destroy them. For best results, vacuum two to three times a week to make sure all life cycles, including eggs, young fleas and adult fleas, are gone.
[photo: Hanumann]
Think that if you lost your wallet you’d never see it again? Surprise—you’re likely to get it returned to you if you’ve got photos of smiling babies in it. The proof: When researchers from the UK’s University [more…]
Have a yen for chocolate, Skittles, cotton candy and other tempting sweets, but are trying to slim down your waistline? Nibble fruit instead! “For every kind of candy you love, there’s a fruit that can give you the same satisfying taste and mouth-feel,” says registered dietician Lyssie Lakatos, R.D., co-author of Fire Up Your Metabolism. In fact, a Cornell University study shows that candy lovers are also the biggest fans of fruit, making it a natural candy alternative. Even better: Because fruit contains less insulin-spiking sugar and is packed with fiber, it keeps your hunger under control.” So, what’s your candy craving?
* You crave: Chocolate
Eat this: Fresh dates or figs rolled in cocoa powder
* You crave: Tangy sweets, such as Starburst, Skittles or Mike and Ikes
Eat this: Kiwi, pineapple or mango
* You crave: A tart candy, such as SweeTarts or Smarties
Eat this: Grapefruit, tart dried cherries or pomegranate
* You crave: A soft and gooey treat, like marshmallows, jelly beans or caramel
Eat this: Dried apricots or dried plums
* You crave: Pure sugar, like cotton candy
Eat this: Sugary fruits, such as ripe bananas or raisins
[photo: The Bridge]
