It Takes a Little Tact

My friend Carol, consistently updates her Facebook status by describing the food she is eating. Rare filet mignon, mashed red potatoes, blueberry cheesecake, cinnamon french toast, and tuna melts on rye bread, are only a couple of amazing things that are hitting her palate on a weekly basis. Believe me, this girl loves to eat and no, she's not enormous, she looks great (I knew you were thinking that)! At first, I thought I'd live vicariously through her posts but eventually, I got too full.

Enjoying someone else's good experiences with them demonstrates real character, as does empathizing when life is not so satisfying. Of course this is all within reason and with a level of candor that is to be expected. It's one thing to be genuine about someone's happiness while it's another, to shove it in their face.

Something along those lines happened to my girlfriend and her boyfriend, while on an afternoon picnic at a park in NYC. There they were relaxing on a blanket watching boats sail by on the Hudson River, while soaking up the beautiful afternoon sunshine. A cooler filled with some fresh fruit, a couple of deli sandwiches, and some water sat ready and waiting, for whenever the lovebirds would be ready to eat. Sounds romantic right? Well perhaps, until two teenagers decided to spread out their blanket right next to the couple (I'm talking close proximity!). A beautiful view of the Hudson soon turned into a horribly vivid image of these teenagers in a makeout session. This picture seemed more fitting for the next episode of "The Jersey Shore", than a public park. My girlfriend really had no choice but to pack up and find another spot to recreate the mood. "What were these teens thinking?" They weren't thinking...at least with their brains. With plan B in full effect, my friend still managed to enjoy the rest of her afternoon with her boyfriend. After this event, you can be sure that when she has to raise children, she will teach them all about how far one should or shouldn't go with PDA.

She buzz words

• Kissing
• The Core
• Pesticide-free
• Twist Cone

She vent

"I used to think buying groceries was the best way to save money!"

She Fiber

The older she gets, the more fiber she needs, and there are only so many days she can eat bran flakes, spinach, and apricots! The latest health food is conveniently packaged as a cookie. RD Foods created and sells high-fiber oatmeal rai- sin and chocolate chip cookies. Two of these cookies equal four cups of oatmeal and three cups of sunflower seeds, 300 calories, and contain soluble fiber and plant sterols that can lower cholesterol. www.rightdirectioncookies.com

Right now she could be...

• Taking her dog to the groomers
• Applying makeup
• Having her carpets to be cleaned for spring
• Icing cupcakes

She party

William Doherty, a professor from the University of Minnesota, is trying to refocus families back to simpler birthday parties. Parents today spend a lot of money to celebrate little Sarah's birthday: pony rides, bounce houses, expensive party bags, entertainers, and so on. Most party places charge approximately $18.00 per child with a 10-child minimum and lots of extra amenities and costs involved. Doherty feels overindulgent kids are the product of these parties. To take a quiz to see if your child's parties are out of control or to get his tips on simple yet meaningful celebrations, log onto www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org.

She's full of germs

According to study by the University of Arizona (funded by the Clorox Co.), women have germier offices than men. After swabbing the offices of women and men in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oregon and Washington DC, researchers found twice as much bacteria in women's offices than in men's. The germiest areas in women's offices are makeup cases, phones and purses. Mold and yeast were also found. Some of the moldiest areas were places where she stores food, like the bottom drawer of her desk. Wiping up with an antibacterial towel after eating at her desk can re-duce germs. Using an antibacterial spray can also help. And don't forget to clean off your mouse.

She's in the know

Lemonade Kool-Aid can remove the lime deposits on her dishwasher. Pour into detergent dispenser and run the washer while it's empty.

And think twice next time you want to drink it.

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