Issue Date: January 14, 2007
Learn to boogie online
If the question "Wanna dance?" sends shivers down your spine, then chances are, you're overdue for a few lessons. Studio lessons cost big bucks, though. And for what, public humiliation? No thanks. That's why I'm learning how to get my groove on via the Internet.
At ballroomdancers.com, you can learn classic steps like the cha-cha, the tango and swing in the privacy of your own home. Plenty of videos and clear instruction make it relatively easy. I learned all about Latin hip movement and how to "sugarpush" (a West Coast swing move) in less than two minutes.
Maybe you're just interested in learning how to belly dance. In that case, chassé on over to zilltech.com/OnLineLessons.html for Aziza Sa'id's introduction to the art of belly dancing. Although Sa'id warns visitors that this is merely an intro and that you'll need a live teacher to learn how to belly dance, you will log off knowing a few key steps (such as the "hip lift and drop"), thanks to her graphics and clear instructions.
So, if you wanna dance, just get on the virtual dance floor!
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Bust the binge cycle
I have too many people tell me that they eat well all week, but on weekends or at night, they overeat and sometimes binge. This pattern can be the No. 1 problem holding you back from keeping your waistline in top form.
So, what's the solution? An eating schedule, where you commit to having five small "flavor-themed" meals and snacks each day, is the secret to gaining control and managing cravings all week long.
"By spreading food out in frequent meals and snacks, you lower insulin levels, reducing the tendency to make body fat. And if you make sure to only have one flavor theme per meal, you will avoid overstimulating your appetite center," says David Katz, M.D., director and co-founder of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and co-author of "The Flavor Point Diet." "Meals that are high in too many flavor categories signal the brain to eat more."
Another tip to dodge binges? "Avoid buffet tables," Katz says.
Try this sample day's 5 meals:
Each meal or snack should highlight a specific flavor profile, such as salty, savory/spicy or sweet.
1. Breakfast could be a sweet meal, such as whole grains with non-fat dairy and fruit.
2. About three hours later, have a sweet snack, like fresh or dried fruit.
3. For lunch, try a savory/spicy meal, like a turkey sandwich with mustard and a salad.
4. Your second snack could be salty, like salted almonds.
5. And for dinner, you could try a salty meal, such as baked tilapia with tomatoes, olives and capers.
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One pot, big impact
Quick and simple to make, this satisfying soup gives you lots of antioxidants in the potato, corn, peppers and cilantro. A little heat from the jalapeño and Tabasco helps you breathe more easily.
Mexican Potato Soup
1 large baking potato, peeled, cubed
2 cups fat-free half-and-half
1 cup corn kernels
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tsps. minced jalapeño, seeds and veins removed
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tsps. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tabasco, to taste
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients except cilantro. Simmer, covered, until potatoes are done, 15 to 20 minutes. Add cilantro. Serve.
Serves 4
Per 1-cup serving: 195 calories, 8g protein, 38g carbohydrates, 1g fat (0g saturated), 20mg cholesterol, 4g fiber, 242mg sodium
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For a hotel, I'll take New Jersey
It's just 20 minutes by bus from Secaucus to midtown Manhattan.
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With the average price of a one-night Manhattan hotel stay at $304, according to Smith Travel Research, it's no wonder that more and more tourists are looking across the Hudson River to New Jersey to stay at hotels originally aimed at business travelers.
In Jersey City, which offers PATH train service that gets you to midtown Manhattan in 20 minutes, the Courtyard Jersey City Newport offers rates as low as $139 per night. Jersey City also has the Doubletree Club Suites, Candlewood Suites and the Hyatt Regency. The last one is arguably the best of the bunch and has some rooms for less than $250 a night -- along with drop-dead gorgeous views of Manhattan.
In Secaucus, choices include the Embassy Suites Hotel Secaucus-Meadowlands, AmeriSuites Secaucus/Meadowlands and Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands. And you're just a 20-minute express-bus ride to midtown Manhattan.
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4 easy tips for buying used video games
For bargains, look on the bottom shelf.
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We've all heard the siren call of the used video game: There's a copy of "Gears of War" for $54, in perfectly good condition, sitting just a few feet away from a full-priced $60 copy. As long as you're willing to forgo the breaking-it-out-of-shrink-wrap moment, you can save a little cash.
Used games are no longer relegated to that tiny, dark shelf at the back of the store. With revenues of $1.25 billion expected in 2007, used games are proving to be so profitable for chains such as GameStop and FYE that I sometimes have to ask a salesperson to point out the new games section.
A few things you should know:
Get down on your hands and knees. If there are bargains and/or obscure treasures to be had, they'll often be found on the bottom shelves.
Compare prices. After you've found what you're looking for, hunt for a duplicate copy of the same game. Game stores tend to be negligent when pricing used games, which means you occasionally will find the same exact game at two different prices.
Check for quality. Turn over the game disc and hold it at an angle so you can inspect it for any scratches, scrapes or warping.
Clean it. If your game is on a disc, wash it with lukewarm water and dish soap. Use a soft sponge or cloth (nothing abrasive). Let the disc dry.
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