Five Ways to Prolong Your Laptop Battery

laptop batterMany people want a longer lasting laptop battery without having to purchase a newer or more expensive model. Fortunately, there are many ways to extend the charge of your laptop’s current battery. Each of the following suggestions are simple to implement and can greatly reduce the strain faced by the laptop battery that you currently own. By following these five easy steps, your laptop will stay powered longer between charges.

1. Optimize Your Laptop Power Options

By adjusting the power settings in the control panel, your laptop battery can last much longer. Of the settings listed in your laptop’s “Power Options” dialog, choose the option for maximum battery life. Once this has been set, it will work behind the scenes to prolong the charge each time you are running on battery power.

2. Adjust Your Laptop Monitor’s Brightness

The greatest strain on a laptop battery is often the monitor. Because most laptops will allow you to change the brightness of the monitor, it is recommended to use the dimmest setting you can comfortably work at whenever you plan to use the battery over an extended length of time. The dimmer your screen setting is, the longer your laptop’s battery will stay charged.

3. Avoid Using CDs or DVDs in your laptop

When running on battery power, it is best to avoid using CDs or DVDs because of the large amount of energy needed to spin the disk in the drive. In fact, CDs and DVDs take even more power to operate than your laptop’s hard drive. Even a disk not currently in use can require power, so it is best to remove any CDs or DVDs from the drive altogether.

4. Remove Unused External Devices from your laptop

It is recommended that you remove any unused external devices when you make the switch to battery power. Devices like a mouse, keyboard, webcam, iPod, and wireless card all require additional power and should be removed to extend your laptop’s runtime between battery charges.

5. Use the Hibernate Setting

Instead of setting your laptop to standby when it is not in use, use the hibernate mode. Hibernate uses less power than the standby setting, because it performs a complete shutdown. Like standby however, hibernate will return to your desktop’s current state when you restart your laptop.

By making a few simple changes whenever you switch to battery power, you can extend the time your laptop’s battery will remain charged. By changing your power options, adjusting your monitor’s brightness, avoiding CDs, DVDs, and external devices, and using the hibernate setting, there will be less strain on your laptop’s battery and it will last much longer between charges.

Find more laptop batteries here

Green tea can help you loose weight

green teaUnfortunately many of the processed foods available for purchase at supermarkets and grocery stores are laden with refined sugars. Sugary foods may taste great and provide a quick energy boost, but they are to blame for the escalating health crisis in the developed world. Obesity is on the increase in the US and Europe. Consequently obesity-related ailments like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart disease are also on the rise.  Teas like Green tea can help you loose weight.

Green Tea To Slim Down

What can you do if you want to slim down and reduce your risk for obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis? One way to effectively lose weight and regain your health is to consume only low glycemic index foods and drinks. You gain weight when your body produces excessive amounts of insulin to process the refined sugars in processed foods.  Low glycemic foods are broken down into glucose at a slower rate than high glycemic foods, and consequently take longer to enter the bloodstream. Thus the body does not need to release as much insulin in order to process them.

Following a low glycemic diet takes stamina because it involves giving up sugary snacks and beverages. However, there are some foods and drinks on the market that are both delicious and low glycemic. For instance, if you like to consume energy drinks that keep you going while you are at work, you will probably enjoy drinking Nuvo Gene Tea Green tea.

Nuvo Gene Green Tea

Nuvo Gene Tea is a natural green tea thermogenic energy drink.  Nuvo Gene Tea offers all of the antioxidant health benefits of ordinary green tea. The fundamental difference between Nuvo Gene Tea and ordinary green tea is that the former is a thermogenic drink. Nuvo Gene Tea promotes maximum adipose fat burning while providing you with the extra energy you need. Drinking three glasses of Nuvo Gene Tea on a daily basis can help you to get rid of excess body fat while you focus on getting on with your day.  Nuvo Gene Tea is certified low-glycemic and non-cephalic through the GRI, and was developed by Glycemic Index researchers.

Are you really serious about losing the extra weight, improve your health, and enjoy a better quality of life? Are you looking for a low-glycemic product that tastes great and helps you to get back into shape? Do you often wish you had more energy when you experience that afternoon slump during your work day? If so, you should definitely consider trying Nuvo Gene Tea.

Mom Fashion

Fashion Tips for the Stay at Home MomWorking in your home with your children is one of the toughest jobs out there, but it does not mean you have to lose all sense of fashion. Sweats and t-shirts are like a uniform for many moms even though there are plenty of other comfortable options. Put a bit more effort into your appearance and it will pay more dividends than you expect.

Trade Out The Mom Basics

Instead of sweats, wear khakis and instead of ratty old t-shirts wear some nicer ones that fit closer to your body. For a quick bit of everyday makeup, trade out your moisturizer for a tinted moisturizer. Many tinted moisturizers are available with SPF 20 and will give good hydration and a bit of coverage.

Stay Up on Mom Fashion Trends

Scan the pages of recent magazines to see what kinds of trends are popular. To transition those trends into your life get small things like hair clips or new designs for t-shirts and put them into your daily outfits. This is a simple and cost-effective way to stay up on trends.

Keep Being Social for Mom Fashion

Keep up your social visits with friends and family. Even play dates can be a wealth of information on how other moms keep from looking old and dowdy. Give a sincere compliment about something you admire on a friend and then ask about it. Your friends and family will probably know places to find affordable things locally.

Research the Latest Mom Fashion

Catch up on the latest trends on sites like Total Beauty, Oprah, Cosmopolitan and other related media sites.

Trading one thing for another can really boost your appearance and your confidence. Show your kids that your appearance is important by modeling these changes. They will benefit from your increased confidence, too.

Gran Turismo 5 Review (PS3)

Gran Turismo 5Gran Turismo 5 bills itself as the “real driving simulator,” which is a relatively accurate statement, and one that will either make the game fantastic or make it boring, depending on your point of view. In fact, the whole game is a mix of amazing and mediocre, though fortunately the really great features outweigh the not-so-great ones and as long as you like driving games, you’ll find something to enjoy in this one.

Game Essentials for Gran Turismo 5

Developed by Polyphony Digital.

Published by Sony.

Rated E (ESRB), 3 (PEGI).

Genre: racing.

Released on November 24, 2010.

For 1-16 players.

Available on PlayStation 3.

Gran Turismo 5 is Purely Visual

You’ve probably seen the trailers, with shiny photorealistic cars zooming around tracks rendered in incredible detail. And it’s true that Gran Turismo 5 looks like that, and not just for cutscenes and replay. Or at least, it looks like that some of the time. The game’s 200 or so “premium” cars are all rendered in mind-boggling detail, and a fair number of the tracks really do look that amazing.

But then there are the standard cars, with considerably less detail, and the tracks that just look boring. And if you look closely at those crowds of cheering fans that line the trackside, they resemble cardboard cutouts and they don’t actually react to cars almost wiping them out. There’s even a considerable amount of jaggyness in the shadows and a distinct lack of damage modeling that don’t belong in a PS3 game that’s had so much attention lavished on how it looks.

Customization in Gran Turismo 5

Fortunately, the visuals of a game aren’t everything, and many a lousy-looking game has become a hit simply because it’s so great to play. And in the gameplay, Gran Turismo 5  excels. At least most of the time.

There are plenty of options for tuning up cars, allowing you to take a used beater that was all you could afford and turn it into something that just might allow you to win enough money to buy something better. Sure, the paint options are limited, and you kind of have to know what the different parts you’re buying actually do to know if they’ll help or not, but if you’re into cars, you know that already.

Modes in Gran Turismo 5

The single-player game has a career mode with A-spec and B-spec streams (the first puts you in the car driving and the second has you managing and directing AI drivers). There are also license tests which, while not mandatory as in previous Gran Turismo games, are useful for learning how to navigate corners, pass effectively, and gain other skills. And there are special events that give you all sorts of other challenges.

If you don’t like the idea of tinkering with your cars or practicing endlessly to make it through the tougher races in career mode, you can go with arcade mode and simply jump in and drive.

Multiplayer lets you race against others, naturally, and with Gran Turismo 5 races can handle up to 16 cars at a time without problems (unless you live in the boonies and don’t have a decent internet connection, presumably). Unfortunately, there’s no good way to find races to join unless you already have a group of friends. You can find a list of races with open spots, but you can’t easily find out what specs your car has to have ahead of time.

The Verdict

If you like driving and you know a little bit about cars, this is a game you’ll want to play. Sure, some of the visuals leave a lot to be desired, but for pure realistic racing, Gran Turismo 5 is top of the heap. And even if you just want to get in a car and drive, arcade mode makes this an accessible game.

Find more information on Gran Turismo 5 here

Are You A Good Date?

Are you a good dateEveryone wants to feel comfortable on a date.  In order to really get to know each other, it’s important both parties are able to let their hair down and be themselves.  But just how relaxed should you be?   What is a good level of personal boundary to maintain?  Is there such a thing as being too relaxed?

Here are a few scenarios you might want to look at prior to your next date so that you start off with the right impression:

Be Neat and Clean on a date

Your clothing should always be neat, clean and up-to-date no matter how comfortable you want to feel.  For a casual date, dress as you would be expected to at work on a casual day, and dress in business formal wear for more formal dates.  If you’ve been wearing the same clothes and shoes for years, chances are they are out-of-date and worn out.  Dressing nicely and up-to-date will give an impression that you care about yourself and want to impress your date.If you’re hoping for several dates in the future, you might want to give your closet an overhaul.  If you need some help in choosing the right clothing, ask a store clerk to help you choose flattering and appropriate items.

Focus less on yourself on a date

If you work out and take care of yourself, that’s great, but if you spend too much time focused on your looks and talking about your hot body, your next workout, an upcoming competition or your latest diet program, it might seem like you’re consumed with yourself.   No one wants to be with someone that is full of themselves.

Check your language at the door

Your date might laugh at a dirty joke, but they might be trying to be polite.  It’s always a good idea to check your language and choose more appropriate conversation for your dates.  If in doubt, don’t take your date somewhere that might easily offend them.

Table manners

In some countries burping is a compliment to a chef, or so they say, but not too many people really want to hear you belch.  Eliminating gas in any way should be carried out in private.

Control yourself on a date

You might describe yourself as a social drinker, but even social drinkers can go overboard.  Self-respect and a sense of control is a better way to go.  Don’t risk leaving a bad impression by getting tipsy or unruly because of drinking too much.   Furthermore, don’t drink and drive.

Loose lips

Be cautious of who you talk about and what you say.  Just as people are offended at times when you disagree with their political or religious beliefs, criticizing people can reflect poorly on you.  Gossiping easily backfires too.  Choose interesting topics instead of dissecting other people.

Listen

Are you all talk, no listen?  One of the best gifts to give another person is to listen.  Everyone likes it when other people are interested in them.  Ask your date questions.  Look into your date’s eyes.  Repeat back what you think you’ve heard your date say.  Ask for clarity.  There is nothing that draws two people together faster than a sense of mutual understanding.

On your next date, do relax but in a way that shows off your best qualities.  Be yourself, but pack up any questionable behavior and resist the temptation to let it all hang out too far.

Picking a laptop case that works for you

laptop caseOnce you have found the perfect laptop for your needs you need to consider protecting the laptop from all the physical threats that it faces on day to day basis. Since laptops are designed to be portable it only makes sense that a good laptop case is needed to protect your latest computer.

Consider the following things when shopping for a laptop case to keep your laptop safe and secure.

Size of the laptop case:

This is an important consideration. First you need to make sure that your laptop can fit inside the laptop case. Whether you choose a sleeve or a full size case, your laptop case should fit your needs. Which brings us to the next thing to consider.

Sleeve or full size for your laptop case:

Laptop sleeves are usually made of stretchy material that fits around the laptop like a glove, covering it in soft foam like fabric. Some sleeves come with an outside pocket or compartment but if you plan on carrying around a spare battery, charger, cables, or other laptop accessories then a full size laptop case is better for you. Sleeves are good for those who want to slide their laptop into a backpack, suitcase, or simply shield the laptop from sun, wind, and dust when carrying it around.

Security of your laptop:

When choosing a laptop case, consider security as well. Some higher end laptop cases feature locking zippers, combination locks, and hidden compartments. Some will question to point of a fabric case with a lock, so for ultra security needs consider a solid laptop case to protect your laptop.

Also some laptop case makers make cases that look nothing like laptop cases, which can come in handy for traveling in areas where a distinct laptop case is like yelling out “mug me” to everyone around you. These discreet cases can look like everything from briefcases and backpacks to purses and shoulder bags.

Protecting against the elements:

If you need to travel with your laptop often and find yourself outdoors with your laptop, you’ll want to consider a laptop case that is weather resistant. Find one with a material that doesn’t allow water in. Be wary of laptop sleeves that might become wet and transfer that moisture to your laptop inside.

Style of your laptop case:

If you have a stunningly designed laptop, why not have a case that matches the high class style? Laptop case makers have caught onto this trend and make laptop cases in a variety of colors and designs, not to mention high end offerings of laptop cases made out of leather and other fashion oriented fabrics.

Consider these things when shopping for a new laptop case to protect your laptop and you’ll be able to combine the protection and functionality you need with the looks and durability you want.

Here are some sources for laptop cases

www.target.com

www.ebags.com

www.kolobags.com

Foods of Tuscany

foods of tuscanyThe region of Italy known as Tuscany is famous for, among other things, its wonderful food. This western central area of the country experiences generally mild climatic conditions, making it the perfect area in which to grow tomatoes, basil, olives, grapes, and other delicious ingredients that world-class chefs and home-kitchen cooks alike use to create some of the most magnificent dishes in the entire world.

Tuscany – Cacciucco alla Livornese

A traditional stew native to the harbor of Livorno in Tuscany (hence “Livornese”) that uses whatever fish happens to be the fresh catch of the day in combination with red pepper, fresh onion, garlic, tomatoes, and parsley along with flavorful olive oil, salt and pepper, and red wine vinegar. Most cooks will be generous with the red pepper, as this is one of the very few spicy Tuscany dishes. As such, white wines pair best with this dish, especially a Bolgheri Bianco or a Bianco della Val di Cornia. This is a very hearty stew, usually accompanied by toasted bread rubbed with garlic, and is a favorite of the northern region usually in the winter and its holidays.

Tuscany – Bistecca alla Fiorentina

The perfect dish for those passionate about a good cut of beef. In America, England, and other English-speaking countries the cut of beef used for Bistecca alla Fiorentina, or Florentine-Style Steak, would be called a “Porterhouse.” However, for those looking for authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina the cut must come from Chianina animals, which are large, white oxen specifically raised in the Val di Chiana, near the Tuscany region of Arezzo. This meat is especially succulent because of the size of the animal—for this dish a steak can weigh at least 6 pounds, the rich flavor of the meat, and a texture so tender if prepared right can be cut with a spoon. The perfect preparation of this dish can only be paired with an equally luxuriant, rich red wine, namely a Chianti Classico Riserva, a Brunello, or a Barolo.

Tuscany – Caldaro dell’Argentario

A traditional Tuscany dish served during Christmas in the area of Mount Argentario. Like Cacciucco alla Livornese, this dish is another fish stew whose foundation is the fresh catch that the fishermen brought to port that day. In addition to the fresh catch, this recipe uses squid, octopus, and cuttlefish. The best wine pairings for this stew on a cold December night is a Muscadet or a Sauvignon Blanc.

Tuscany – La frittata con gli zoccoli

Also known as an “omelet with clogs,” is a light summer dish found all over Tuscany, and truly is eggs and ham at its finest. Simple but still delicious, a delicate Chablis or Muscadet for those who enjoy white wine, or an Anjou or Brouilly for those who prefer a red.

Tuscany – Schiacciata (pane) unta

A type of bread, known as focaccia elsewhere throughout Italy, that is found literally everywhere throughout Tuscany. A wonderful alternative to regular breads, schiacciata is a flatbread that can be used for sandwiches or topped with olive oil and herbs—or any other topping, for that matter—for an incredible afternoon snack! The wine best paired truly depends on what is accompanying the schiacciata; a Chianti Classico is a great choice, as is any choice from the Indicazione Geografica Tipica.

Tuscany – Covaccino

Also known as a “white pizza” lacks tomato sauce. Instead of tomatoes, mozzarella cheese is the foundation of the pizza, and is often accompanied by hot salami, chopped onions, sliced zucchini, and sliced prosciutto. Try a champagne with covaccino (think Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, or even Moet & Chandon); a Pinot Grigio or even a Sauvignon Blanc.

Tuscany – Ribollita

A hearty soup from Tuscany made from bread and vegetables. While the main ingredients vary from kitchen to kitchen and cook to cook, the staples of a good pot of Ribollita always include stale bread, cannellini beans, carrots, cabbage, silverbeet, cavolo nero, and onion. The soup originated in the area prior to the Middle Ages, and began by reheating the leftover soup from the day before; some stories claim that the soup was created when servants and peasants gathered up food-soaked bread off silverware from feudal lords’ feasts and boiled them to make their own meals. A wine with an earthy tone would accompany this dish nicely, perhaps a Viognier, Carmenere, or even a Gewurztraminer.

Tuscan – Rosticciana

These are roasted pork spare ribs. Generally sprinkled with salt, garlic, and rosemary and then roasted over a charcoal or wood fire, this succulently sweet roasted dish can be found on many a Tuscan table during the chilly winter months. Rosticcaciana pairs well with a cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, or even a merlot.

Tuscany – Manafregoli

A dessert popular in the Tuscany area that begins with sifted chestnut flour that is added to boiling water until it makes a soft cream. It is then boiled for half an hour and served on hot plates with milk or fresh cream drizzled over the top. Because it is a dessert dish, a white Riesling is ideal, but a nice Moscato will do well, or, for those more daring, try a Riesling or Cabernet Franc icewine!

Android – Picking an android phone

AndriodEveryone is all abuzz about how cool the android phones and devices are, but what really sets the Android OS apart from other device Operating Systems, and how do you take advantage of the power and openness of this great platform? What devices are for beginners, and what devices are for the root user / developer, and what the heck does it mean to root an Android phone? All of these questions will be touched on here, but only on an introductory level. More in-depth guides will be forthcoming.

What is Android?

First of all, we should understand what Android is. Google developed an alternative smart phone operating system that would take full advantage of the powerful tools that most modern handsets incorporate. The Google phone was the ‘Original’ android phone, offered on T-Mobile. It was an impressive OS from the get go, mostly in its open source nature, which means that anyone can have access to the source code and develop applications or change different aspects of the kernel and user interface. Though many manufacturers and providers may be in denial of it, the open source nature of the OS is the key to the success of the android devices.

Once people began developing apps and rooting their devices, the game changed. Certain devices, such as the original Motorola Droid, were found to be quite easily rooted and developers began instituting what have become known as custom ROMs. ROMs are simply: user created, device specific, ready-made custom user interfaces for the android devices. CyanogenMod was, and still is, one of the most popular ROMs available. (The ROM series is named after its creator’s forum handle). With the onset of these highly customizable interfaces, the iphone’s “they all look the same” interface lost a large piece of the smartphone market share.

Rooting of android phones has become both a boon to device owners, and a thorn in the side of some providers and hardware manufacturers. To gain root access simply means to remove security blocks that keep users from having system access. In many ways these security measures are there to prevent people from damaging their operating systems, as untrained actions can render a phone as useless as a brick, hence the term “bricking your phone”. Most root users have learned where the proper forums are, and how to avoid damaging your device, as well as restoring it to working condition, should the unspeakable happen. The biggest benefit of root access is that you can remove bloatware (the unwanted apps that come pre-installed on your device, taking up space and resources) and the ability to fully customize the interface through the use of ROMs or customization apps.

Popular Android smart phones

The most popular Android phones are the line of devices by HTC and Motorola. The main thing to look for if you want a highly customizable device is a popular device that has been around for several months. That way you have a large group of users, and the developers have had time to build numerous offerings for you to install. Brand new devices are usually a challenge for the developers, as manufacturers and providers have not yet realized the benefit they would have in offering full access to users. People buy these devices for hundreds of dollars or multi-year contracts, and as the owners of the phones, they are entitled to have some say as to what the device looks like, reacts like, and what version of Android they want on their device. It has become a game of intellectual tug-of-war that is entertaining and important.

There are also a great many ‘entry-level’ phones – phones that offer Android OS, but without all of the benefits of the more popular, high-end phones. LG and Sony-Ericsson have several models that are great as a phone, but simply haven’t had as many user upgrades made for them. Some do not come with WiFi, or have not been rooted, perhaps are lacking in CPU speed or system memory. These phones are great for the casual user, but if you wish to “own” your phone, want root access, or simply wish to try your hand at development for the mobile devices, you might wish to do your research at any of a number of android specific developer forums. Just search for it – you’ll find plenty of them out there.

As far as the other OS offerings for smart phones, there is the ever-popular-but losing ground, iOS on the iPhones, as well as a few iterations of Windows for mobile phones. Both of these are closed source operating systems, making it difficult to develop for them, which drastically limits the app offerings. The market simply isn’t as competitive. Ease of use is pretty high across the board, but the final decision regarding which OS you prefer should be based on a well-researched investigation on your part. Put your hands on the different phones, and feel them out. Many of the options available are more device-specific than OS specific, so be sure to check out numerous phones and get a good feel for what may well be your best friend for the next year or two.

For more information go to www.android.com

Why carbohydrates are good for you?

CarbohydratesIf you’ve been advised to avoid carbohydrates, then you may want to think twice. While cutting carbohydrates can be a great way to reduce your caloric intake, there are several reasons why excluding them altogether can be not only ineffective but detrimental to your health.

The tendency to view all carbohydrates as bad is an unfortunate by-product of society’s obsession with fitness. Once a nutrient is given a negative label, it becomes very difficult to change the way that people see it. In lumping carbohydrates together, today’s popular no-carbohydrates diets have set up a false choice between carbs and no-carbs, and it is this all-or-nothing approach that has so many people spinning their proverbial wheels. Fortunately, with a little practice, you can learn to tell the good carbohydrates from the comparatively bad carbohydrates, which will bring you one step closer to achieving your goals.

Good Carbohydrates, Bad Carbohyrdates

Carbohydrates can be defined as good or bad according to the rate at which it releases energy. Slow-burning, or complex carbs are considered good because they provide a constant supply of energy throughout the day. Simple, fast-burning carbohydrates like sugars and starches are considered bad because they raise blood sugar levels. This, in turn, triggers the release of insulin to bring those levels back down. The resulting crash saps you of your energy and makes physical activity that much more difficult.

Since carbohydrates fuel vital organs like the brain, eating too few of them can have a negative effect on memory and concentration. A lack of carbohydrates will also cause the body to burn protein for energy, which affects your muscles’ ability to recover after exercise. Add dehydration, and you’re looking at a possible trip to the emergency room.

If you’re eating too many carbohydrates, then, by all means, cut back. No one is saying that you should continue drinking sugar-filled sodas. If you’re eating complex carbs such as brown rice, whole grain bread and whole wheat pasta, then cutting back further is the last thing that you want to do.