In this article: Eat Smart Headache trigger Parent Smart Teen stress Money Smart Photo printers House Smart Edu shower Contact a columnist

THINK SMART Helpful tips for your everyday life

Low-carb diets can trigger headaches

Going on a low-carb diet, such as Atkins or South Beach, can trigger headaches, says David Buchholz, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University. "I've seen many people start having headaches after going on such low-carb diets," he says.

The reason: Low-carb dieters switch to foods high in protein -- cheese, nuts and yogurt, as well as nitrite-rich bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs, all of which are well-known causes of common headaches, including migraines. Be aware of these hazards so you can pinpoint and cut back on offending foods, says Buchholz, author of "Heal Your Headache."

The good news is, unlike aspartame, the sweetener Splenda does not seem to prompt headaches, Buchholz says.

Still the No. 1 dietary cause of headaches: caffeine.

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Help ease your teen's holiday stress

'Tis the season for college applications, exams and term papers. Throw in the frenzy that comes with the holidays, and you get a recipe for teen angst. "Stress levels skyrocket," sayspsychologist Roni Cohen-Sandler, author of the new "Stressed-Out Girls." "You hear about kids getting so overwhelmed they can't function; they get sick or melt down."

To help kids through the holidays, Cohen-Sandler says you should:

Maintain realistic expectations. "Parents get it in their minds what their kids are capable of. And maybe your kids are capable of getting A's, but maybe they're sick or the holidays are keeping them stressed. You have to be flexible."

Keep your stress from spilling over to the kids. Be sure they know they can ask you for help.

Cut back. "The holidays are high-risk times for over-scheduling." Have your teen take a break from after-school activities such as private tutoring or music lessons. Downtime is important: "Parents often see it as unproductive, but kids need that time to rejuvenate."

Make dinner sacred. Family dinners may not happen every night, but make an extra effort during the hectic holidays. Eating together keeps everyone connected and revitalized.

Be sure your child gets enough sleep. When parties and exams coincide, a good night's sleep is vital. Fatigue can affect a child's health, stress levels and mental alertness.

Contributing Editor Soledad O'Brien is co-anchor of CNN's "American Morning."

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Compare compact photo printers

What's more, each manufacturer sells value packs of photo paper and ink cartridges that make the price per print comparable to processing via photo websites. Aimee Baldridge, digital camera and printer expert at technology website CNET.com, helps us compare prices and features of three popular printer brands:

Want to print your digital pics on the go? With new lightweight, compact printers, you can print high-quality photos directly from your camera. No more downloading the images onto your computer first. These small fry are perfect for printing right at a party or on vacation. All the models listed here use PictBridge technology; they plug into any outlet or run for hours on a rechargeable battery pack (purchased separately).

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Showers of knowledge

I'll admit it: I sing in the shower, and, if I do say so myself, I'm quite good. But now, with new "Smart" shower curtains for kids by Simple Memory Art (simplememoryart.com), I actually can learn something while I am lathering up.

These colorful, environmentally friendly vinyl curtains cost $32 each and can teach children all sorts of stuff: the solar system, weather cycles and even metamorphosis. (Do you remember how a tadpole turns into a frog?)

Experts have said for years that a child's mind is like a sponge, so what better place to learn than in the shower?