8 Free Ways to Save on Petrol

1. Don’t Rev the Engine

In America, drivers like to do this to “warm up the engine” during winter. In Singapore, Ah Bengs like to do this because it’s the whole point of buying an Impreza. But it’s simple logic: revving the engine is burning petrol, without actually moving anywhere. It also wears the engine out.

You've heard of a chick magnet? Well this one's a cop magnet.

2. Don’t Leave it Idling

“At a traffic light there’s no choice,” Mr. Ong says, “but we tell our drivers not to leave the engine idling when they stop. They have to turn it off.”

The next time you’re stopping at a convenience store, and there’s a passenger in your car, wind down the window and turn off the engine instead. Besides burning fuel, idling means the water pump isn’t spinning at its most efficient speed. That will leave “hot spots” in your engine, which can cause mechanical failures.

3. Speed Control

I asked about speed control, which experts consider the biggest impact on fuel efficiency. Speed control means driving slowly to conserve fuel, yes? Apparently not:

“Every vehicle has an optimum speed. Going over the optimum speed burns more fuel, and going under it also burns more fuel.”

Mr. Ong explained that regardless of how slow you drive, a minimum amount of fuel is required to move the pistons and cylinders. Going slower can mean burning less fuel, but there’s an absolute minimum that’s consumed. Between travelling at 10 km/h and 12 km/h for example, you’d burn about the same amount. That makes travelling at 12 km/h (faster) more efficient, since it covers more distance with about the same amount of fuel.

Yes, great community spirit and message. Now please back off the pedestrian under your car.

The “sweet spot” for most vehicles is between 80 – 90 km/h, but this varies based on the vehicle.

4. Avoid Starts and Stops

“We train our drivers to time the (traffic) lights,” Mr. Ong says, “because the process of accelerating, of going from stationary to mobile, burns a lot of fuel. To avoid starts and stops, we train our drivers to vary their speed based on the upcoming lights. The idea is to travel through as many lights as possible, legally, without stopping.”

Come on. How many lights can you possibly avoid by…

“Some of our drivers can go through seven or more lights without stopping.”

Oh.

“New drivers usually get caught at the third or fifth light,” Mr. Ong says, “but with practice they usually get better.”

I asked for a beginner’s guideline:

“When approaching a light, don’t run the engine at maximum torque,” Mr. Ong says, “you might be stopping anyway. You also have to time when to start slowing down. If it’s red, slow down a good distance before you get there, so it’s green when you reach. It takes practice but if you keep doing it you’ll get better.”

If you're rich and own a Ferrari, that means "Go, and go really fast."

5. Don’t Jack-Rabbit

Jack-rabbiting should be avoided at all costs. It involves overtaking whenever possible, and switching lanes repeatedly to get 
killed
 ahead. Jack-rabbiting guzzles petrol faster than a Top Gear episode, and is the preferred way to get a tire iron in the face. Mr. Ong adds that:

“If you jack-rabbit and you hit the red light, you have to stop anyway. It makes no difference, you won’t get there faster. And you’re wasting fuel: every time your vehicle has to accelerate, it’s burning more fuel than when it’s cruising.”

Sir, get out of the car. We're going to beat you up for jack-rabbiting…in advance.

6. Maintain Your Engine and Tyres

Preventative maintenance can cut petrol costs by as much as 30 percent, over a year. According to Mr. Ong, one of the biggest impacts comes from the tyres:

“Running on low pressure tyres burns more fuel. When the tyre pressure is too low, the tyre will bite into the ground. This creates traction; the more traction you have, the more petrol you burn. You can check the PSI, or sometimes you can see that the tyre wall is visibly bulging.”

Keeping the engine in good condition is vital. Leaking engines, or engines with worn cylinders, need to work twice as hard to generate the same amount of power. That translates to burning more fuel.

7. Monitor Your Fuel Efficiency

Some cars (like Mercedes models) have built in fuel efficiency meters. Scroll through the menu on your dashboard, you may have one. Otherwise, you can do it manually:

1. Get a full tank (do this when you next refuel).
2. Make a note of the odometer reading.
3. Use your car as usual. The next time you need to refuel, check the new odometer reading.
4. Deduct the new odometer reading from the previous; that’s the distance you’ve travelled.
5. Check the amount of petrol you need to buy. This is also the amount of petrol you’ve used up.
6. Your average fuel consumption is (distance travelled) / (petrol used)

Our new model accepts 7 kinds of currency, or you can feed dead sea life directly into it.

Mr. Ong mentions that:

“Fuel efficiency varies based on the age, model, and make of the vehicle; but a good fuel efficient factor is 12 or 13 kilometres per litre. This is a standard for our drivers, but most car owners are around the 10 kilometres per litre mark. If it’s less than 10, it’s guzzling fuel.”

8. Go Manual, and Don’t Skip First Gear

I opened the age old question of manual vs. automatic. Mr Ong’s opinion was:

“Manual control can potentially use less fuel than an automatic; with manual a driver has more control over the acceleration. But it depends on the driver’s proficiency. An unskilled driver might end up burning more fuel, especially if they’re always playing with the brakes and clutch.

One thing a lot of van drivers do is to skip first gear. They go straight into second, because they don’t like the grinding sound. But second gear hasn’t got the same kind of power; the acceleration will burn more fuel.”

For you Ryan, those numbers match the number of people you'll potentially kill at that speed.

Conclusion

Monitoring fuel efficiency seems like it would be a real pain. So it’s a good thing I have a Merc on hand (go Mercedes!) The other methods are simple and straightforward, and they cost nothing. Make them a habit, and pretty soon slippery oil execs will be bribing me to shut up.

5 qualities that men look for in women

Female quality 1: She has a life of her own

Say ‘cheerio’ to the helpless heroine from classic literature, and ‘well, hello!’ to the contemporary independent woman. It’s important to show that you’re self-sufficient when you’re trying to impress a man, and it’s equally as important to maintain this when you’re in a relationship. The average modern man doesn’t want a lady to be clinging onto him all the time – it makes him feel suffocated. Rather than ditching your friends and family to spend time with a new love interest, make sure you keep separate plans in your diary at all times. Never feel as though you wouldn’t have a life if this person wasn’t in it; get out there and show that you have a vibrant lifestyle aside from him. A relationship should enhance your life, not rule it.

Female quality 2: She is honest and loyal

Be honest with your love interest. If you tell them that a) you’re married and going through a particularly difficult divorce; b) you have a strange obsession with feet; or c) anything else that could potentially make them run for the hills, then you’ve done the right thing. Okay, maybe hold back on option b for now, but you see what we’re getting at. Anything that they may find out further down the line and could put them off should be made clear from the outset, or you risk wasting the time of you both. Don’t sugar-coat anything – if this man likes you enough, he will want to help you through difficult situations rather than leaving you to it. If either you or your love interest can’t accept the truth about one another’s past or present lives, you shouldn’t think about getting together because you won’t be able to look to the future.

Female quality 3: She looks after herself

This is one thing that hasn’t changed since the days of our most distant ancestors; men like a woman who takes a pride in her appearance and vice versa. We’re not talking about being a tall, slim supermodel – it’s not all about looks – but a little primping and preening here and there goes a long way. There’s no need to dress up in a ball gown and tiara for a date, but do wear something that accentuates your fantastic figure. Wear makeup to highlight your natural features; style your hair to compliment your face; and spritz on your favourite scent to boost your confidence – hello gorgeous! Styling yourself to make you feel your best leads to a more confident you and that’s another trait that men look for in women.

Female quality 4: She is self-confident

Gone are the days when the timid damsel in distress attracted the handsome, strong man; nowadays, being needy attracts little more than a few raised eyebrows. Despite coming across as confident, rarely do the celebrities you see in the media feel as bold and confident as they look. It’s all about faking it. Instead of zoning in on your weaknesses, develop and maximise your strengths to put you in the right frame of mind. Make sure you use your body language to your advantage, as this can help you to fake confidence when really you might prefer it if the ground were to swallow you up. Stand tall, make eye contact, and smile, for an instantly more confident you.

couple on beach

Female quality 5: She is mature and well-spoken

Baby talk can be cute but don’t use it too often, sugar bunny. Your average modern man likes his woman to be able to hold down an intellectual conversation as well as having a good sense of humour, and cutie-overload could put him off. Talk about interesting topics and be sure to listen to him as well as inputting your own thoughts and ideas into the conversation. Hold back on slang words for your first few dates and avoid swear words too, as they come across as uncouth.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern man looks for different qualities in a woman than he may have done in the 1800s and – whilst no man is ever the same and may look for different qualities in a woman – it’s a good idea to take these tips on board to boost your dating potential. 

5 healthy snacks to help you lose weight

Do you know that snacking can help you to control or even lose weight? Eating snacks helps to keep your stomach full and thus prevents you from overeating during mealtimes. Snacking also boosts your energy level and makes you feel more alert and energetic throughout the day.

I am not referring to snacks like potato chips, rojak, curry puffs, french fries, cakes, doughnuts, or anything that is high in calories, oily and unhealthy. Listed below are five snacks you can incorporate into your diet if you are intending to eat healthily or trying to shed some pounds.

1. Yoghurt

Plain yoghurt, which does not contain artificial flavoring and has a low sugar level, is the healthiest option. However, if you think that plain yoghurt tastes too boring, you can add in natural fruits. It can be any fruits you like: berries, such as strawberry, blueberry, and cranberry, are the more popular options. Among them, blueberry is the top choice among dieters because, not only does it taste good, but it also has a low glycemic index, meaning it will help balance your blood sugar and insulin levels. Blueberries are also extremely good sources of antioxidants, which are healthy for your heart and longevity.

If having to add fruits to plain yoghurt is too time-consuming and troublesome, you can also get yoghurt with added natural fruit bits off the shelves. Just make sure to read the label because many of these yoghurts contain a large amount of added sugar. Try to pick yoghurts that are low in fat and contain only natural flavors and ingredients.

2. Vegetables

Vegetables are another healthy snack to go for. Most vegetables are good sources of fiber, which is important for digesting and processing food. Fiber may also help lower your blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, eating food that is high in fiber makes you feel full, which in turn helps to control the amount of food you eat during mealtimes.

Veggie sticks, such as carrot and celery, are a convenient option as they do not require much preparation and can be brought to work or school without hassle. If you think that veggie sticks are too bland, you can dip them into low fat cottage cheese.

Another way you can eat vegetables as a snack is to cut them into bite sized pieces and freeze them. Alternatively, you can also choose small vegetables that do not require any cutting such as peas and corn. Just like eating ice-cream, frozen vegetables dissolve gradually and leave a lingering sweetness in your mouth.

3. Nuts

Another healthy snack is nuts, which are rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants. As they often come in convenient packaging, you can carry them around and have them anytime and anywhere. Nuts are also excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to one's body. These fatty acids help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, boost one's brain performance, decrease blood cholesterol and blood pressure, and help to maintain one's weight.

There are a great variety of nuts in the market for you to choose from and some of the options are: walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts. Try to choose ones that are unsalted.

Of course, you can also make nut-snacking more interesting by combining them with other healthy snacks, such as adding them into yoghurt. Despite their health benefits, it is advisable not to eat too many nuts at one go because they are relatively high in calories.

4. Soy Chips

If you are a potato chip lover, trying to eat healthily or lose weight does not mean that you have to stop crunching on chips. A healthier alternative to potato chips is soy chips, which are high in fiber and proteins, and low in fats. Research also reveals that soy protein, as found in soy chips, may be very helpful in losing weight and may also help ensure that the weight you are losing is from your fats and not your muscles.

5. Fruits

Fruits which have high vitamin and mineral content are great to snack on. Apart from "keeping the doctor away", a Brazilian research study in 2003 found that eating three apples per day can keep one's weight down.

Fruits can be eaten as they are, or be incorporated into other healthy snacks, such as mixing them with vegetables and creating a salad, or mixing them with walnuts and maple syrup. Alternatively, you can also freeze fruits and turn them into frozen fruit bars: they taste just as good as ice-pops but are so much healthier.

Now, who says that the road to a healthier diet has to be tediously bland? The healthy snacks above can be eaten as they are, or mixed and matched to create endless tasty combinations.

There are many options out there — the most important thing is to be creative, have fun and create something healthy that suits your taste buds. Dieting does not mean quitting eating; it simply means eating the right thing.

On your next trip to the grocery store, remember to make healthy choices! Do you have a favorite healthy snack? 


Share it with me in the comments below!

How To Know If Someone is Lying

Many of us are good at decoding when being lied to while some of us struggle to identify liars. Thus, it makes sense in knowing a bit about how to decipher if somebody is lying. The following tips will help you identify a liar:

Get Started with Reading the Liar’s Body Language

It was once stated in a Quentin Tarantino movie that people who have served time in prison have a typical way of walking, as if they are carrying a few bricks on their shoulder. Such typical, body language traits are present in liars too.

Many liars try not able to face their audience with an open stance. Their palms might be folded tight and they might be a bit fidgety. A tightly clinched fist or slight blushing on the face or around the ears too is reflective of a lie.

However, the more seasoned liars can easily hide such traits. These liars can be found out by reading more into their face rather than their body. Some of the most experienced liars too tend to develop typical facial mannerisms when lying. This includes increased creasing in their forehead or a nervous smile before answering questions.

Some liars tend to place their hands very firmly on the chair or table as if they are holding on to these objects to save their lives. This is essentially a way of de-stressing the body that is reacting to the growing anxiety within them.

Catching Liars by Noticing their Eyes

Those who are good at grasping the eye language have a much better chance of find out if they are being lied to. Apart from the seasoned crooks, most liars cannot hold their glare straight towards a person. They tend to look around or divert their range of vision, desperately hoping that their nervousness will not be revealed. The most unskilled of liars have a tendency to look downwards when lying. Their eyes tend to wander about. This is caused by their guilt that makes it difficult for them to maintain eye contact.

Lookout for Inconsistencies to Identify Liars

Even the more experienced liars can commit the mistake of not remembering the story they had spun to hide the facts. This is something you can use to your advantage. Just try to remember the things the person you suspect of lying is saying. After a few minutes, question about the smallest of details that the liar had mentioned. If the person isn't an expert liar, he is bound to make mistakes in answering the question. This is the easiest way to find out if you have been lied to.

Liars are Prone to Getting Anxious

Most folks suffer from some form of anxiety when lying. You can use this to find out if somebody is lying. All you need to do is watch-out for the typical signs that suggest an increased degree of nervousness. Typical traits of a person getting anxious when lying include sweating excessively, talking too fast, getting fidgety with the legs or arms or stammering. For instance, a person lying to you might repeatedly change his seated position, as if the chair or sofa is making him feel very uncomfortable.

Catch Liars by Identifying Superficial Talk

Most liars are prone to avoiding the subject which they fear will expose their act. This can be easily identified. You need to notice if a particular topic is making a person uncomfortable. The person you suspect of lying might continuously try to change the subject or ignore it with a nervous laugh. These are tell-tale signs of a liar.

Many liars create another kind of trace when communicating, i.e. they are not very assertive. You might find the suspected person giving very short or vague answers. This kind of superficial talk lacks any degree of surety. This is a major indicator that the person isn't sure what he is talking about, i.e. he is either lying or trying to cover-up the facts

10 Foods to Make You Smarter

1.    Complex carbohydrates 

      These types of carbohydrates provide a slow release of glucose to the brain - the only sugar the brain can absorb. Glucose is required to fuel the brain cells that are responsible for concentration, memory and learning. Good sources of complex carbohydrates include wholegrain breads, oats, brown rice, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

2.    Antioxidants 

      Researchers believe that eating foods high in antioxidants may help delay brain aging since they help combat free radical damage. Free radicals are irregular molecular atoms, that occur naturally in the body, or externally from environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke and herbicides, that attack the cells, causing the breakdown of tissues and possibly play a role in casing a number of diseases from cancer to dementia. 

3.    Egg yolk 

      Eggs are not only a great source of protein, the yolk also contains the memory-promoting nutrient choline. Choline is a key component of two molecules in the brain: phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These two molecules account for a high percentage of the brain's total mass, making choline vitally important for brain function. For maximum health benefits include up to two eggs in your diet, three to four times a week.

4.    Coffee 

      Your morning coffee does more than just wake you up - it also boosts your brain power. Research shows coffee improves memory and speeds up reaction times by acting on the brain's prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for short-term memory. A lifetime of coffee consumption has even been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, a brain disease affecting memory, thought and language. So enjoy your morning cup of joe, 

5.       Sage 

      Sage (Salvia) is documented in herbal encyclopedias as an agent that enhances memory. Recent studies indicate that taking sage oil can enhance improve memory performance. An easy and inexpensive way to consume sage is to make your own tea. Simply pour one cup of boiled water over two teaspoons of fresh or one teaspoon of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep for 10 minutes and strain. Fresh sage leaves should be 

6.       Water 

      Your brain is made up of approximately 75 per cent water, therefore staying hydrated is absolutely vital for optimum brain performance. Health professionals believe the number one cause of memory loss, at any age, is dehydration and the simple act of drinking a large glass of water can dramatically improve brain function. Tip: start the day hydrated and get into the habit of drinking a glass of water first thing upon 

7.    Oily fish   

      Fish contains high levels of the fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA acts like an antiinflammatory in the body, and also helps to prevent blood clotting, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke. DHA is concentrated in large amounts in the brain and is now considered a vital nutrient to enhance learning ability and mental development. Fish that contain the highest levels of fatty acids 

8.    Kelp 

      Kelp is a sea vegetable (seaweed) high in magnesium, calcium and iodine. Iodine is necessary for normal growth and development of the brain and body. Because the body does not make iodine, it must be obtained from the diet. Kelp is the most abundant, iodine-rich sea vegetable. Other rich sources of iodine include seafood, dairy products, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized table salt. Severe iodine deficiency 

9.       Cacao 

      Cacao is chocolate in its purest form, free from sugar, dairy and other processed ingredients. It's considered a superfood since it contains huge amounts of antioxidants, as well as a compound called epicatechin. Scientists are now discovering the combination of exercise and a diet high in epicatechin promotes functional changes in a part of the brain that supports learning and memory. What does this mean for the rest of 

1 .  Walnuts 

      Interestingly a shelled walnut looks remarkably like a miniature brain; it's like nature's way of reminding us to eat these little wonders for brain nourishment. Walnuts are packed with essential fatty acids, critical for brain and nervous system performance. The brain is a very fatty organ and requires adequate amounts of these fatty acids for optimum function and cognition. Add walnuts to your morning porridge or enjoy a handful 

5 signs your relationship is over

Sign that it could be over 1: Incompatible goals for the future

They say that opposites attract, but when you want children and your other half panics at the mere mention of parenthood, or your partner wants to immigrate to another country and you want to stay put, this kind of opposition can cause a problem. Whilst it's possible to work through such mis-matched goals and reach a fair agreement that both parties are happy with, sometimes it's hard to do that without thwarting your – or your partner's – dreams. Perhaps the most unhealthy thing you could do to your relationship at this point is try to persuade one another to sacrifice future plans in order for you to stay together. Not only is this selfish, but more often than not it leads to feelings of resentment between you and your other half, which often results in a break-up anyway. If there's no compromise and you feel as though your plans for the future are being jeopardized, it's probably best to part ways for the sake of your freedom and happiness.

Sign that it could be over 2: Sneaking around

The key to a great relationship is honesty and trust, so if your partner is sneaking around then it defeats the object of being in an intimate relationship and you need to tackle the problem head on. Go about it carefully though; following him/her into town to 'catch them in the act' only to find that they were purchasing your surprise birthday present could lead to all sorts of complications, and you don't want to risk being the embarrassed guilty party. Instead, it's a good idea to communicate with a secretive partner to make it clear that you've noticed they're up to something and you're offended that they couldn't talk to you about it. If you still feel like your other half is up to something, it might be a good idea to call it a day on your relationship as the trust barrier has clearly been broken.

Sign that it could be over 3: No special gestures

After weeks or months of being wooed by your other half in the early stages of a relationship, when the dust begins to settle it can feel as though Cupid has disappeared off the face of the earth and suddenly you're stuck in a relationship rut. We're not expecting to be swept off our feet and taken away to an exotic island to be showered in expensive gifts, but many couples often lose sight of the small romantic gestures that make the relationship feel that bit more special. If special gestures are sparse in your romance, this by no means suggests that it's over; you may just need to make a little more effort to be romantic – suggest more things to do together and the problem should be resolved in no time. However, if after a conversation you realize that all romantic gestures have stopped because you no longer feel as strongly for your partner as you once did, this is a sign that your relationship should come to an end.

Sign that it could be over 4: You can't seem to leave the past in the past

Relationships where the past can't seem to be left where it belongs are often a recipe for disaster. If you're having an argument, respond appropriately to what is happening here and now, not what happened six weeks ago. Granted – past issues can cause an underlying problem in the relationship if they are never spoken about, but once a problem has been addressed it's time to move on from it. It's a common deal-breaker in relationships to keep bringing up past issues during an argument to use as ammunition against your other half. If you can't learn to forgive and forget – or your partner can't learn to forgive and forget a mistake that you have made – then it might be time to cut all ties and start afresh.

Sign that it could be over 5: You're constantly bickering

Arguing is a natural way to get things off your chest and emphasize what's upsetting or annoying you to improve your relationship in the long-run, but when things have soured to the point that you spend more of your time arguing than not, it's often time to raise the red flag. Healthy relationships are about having good conversations and being happy when you're around your other half, not constantly being surrounded by negativity and feeling angry or upset. Don't be tempted to stick together when all you do is fight; as easy as this is to do, you will end up feeling even more miserable in the long run.

Police Looking For Missing 9-Year-Old Boy From Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Police are trying to find a 9-year-old boy from Queens who has been missing since Monday.

Kyron Hilton was last seen at P.S. 183 in Far Rockaway just before 8 a.m., police said. He was wearing uniform blue pants, black shoes and a light blue polo shirt with a black and red warm-up jacket.

The 9-year-old is 4-foot-8, weighs 91 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair.

Anyone with information on where he might be should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

Weird Home Remedies that Actually Work

Strange but true: you’ve probably got an amazing assortment of stuff in the kitchen, the tool box or the medicine chest that can do double duty as remedies for all kinds of common ailments. What’s more, there’s actual scientific research to back up some of these do-it-yourself treatments. Here’s a rundown on the most intriguing nine: 

Didgeridoo for Sleep Apnea

Okay, so this probably isn’t something you’ve got lying around the house. You may not have heard of it either, but if you’ve got sleep apnea, this strange-soundingAustralian wind instrument may be just what you need.

According to a study from Switzerland, four months of learning to play the didgeridoo worked well for patients with moderate sleep apnea, made for a better night’s sleep, and reduced daytime sleepiness. Even more, their bed partners slept better, too. Playing the instrument addressed sleep apnea by strengthening the upper airway, which prevents it from narrowing as you inhale.

Biting on a Pencil for Headache Relief

This won’t work for migraines, but if you get common tension headaches, the pencil trick may help prevent them. We tend to automatically clench our jaws and teeth when we’re anxious or stressed, and this is a subconscious reaction that can lead to a tension headache.

When you feel your jaw clench, put a pencil between your teeth (don’t bite down) and hold it there. This simple strategy will cause your jaw to relax, easing tension, forestalling the headache, and easing the pain.

Listerine for Blisters

You know it as a breath freshener and an antiseptic, but Listerine can also dry out blisters. Dab some on a cotton ball and apply it to your blister three times a day until it dries and the pain vanishes. Integrative medicine pioneer Andrew  Weil, M.D., recommends applying petroleum jelly on a blister for temporary pain relief.

Lemon Balm Tea for Cold Sores

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and packs an anti-viral punch that can heal cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. A big study in Germany found that once treated with lemon balm, not a single cold sore recurrence occurred.

Duct Tape for Warts

This is not an old wives tale. Using duct tape to remove warts has been shown to work better than freezing them off. In one study, duct tape eliminated 85 percent of patients' warts in two months (freezing eradicated only 60 percent).

Here’s how it works: make sure the wart and surrounding skin are clean, then cut a piece of duct tape a bit larger than the wart and press into place. Remove the tape every three days, rub the wart with an emery board or pumice stone, and repeat until the wart is gone.

Ginger for Motion Sickness

Crystalized ginger, ginger tea, ginger syrup, or capsules of ginger powder can combat motion sickness and nausea in general (ginger ale or even ginger snaps may help, too). One study found that ginger worked better for motion sickness than anti-nausea medication, and Danish researchers report that ginger helped quell seasickness in susceptible naval cadets better than a placebo.

Papaya for Smoother Skin

The active ingredient is papain, an enzyme that dissolves dead surface cells that give skin a dull, rough look. Try this fruity facial to soften and smooth your skin: wash and peel a ripe papaya and swirl about two tablespoons in a food processor. Add a tablespoon of dried oatmeal and apply to your freshly washed face for 10 minutes. Remove with warm water or a wet washcloth.

Banana Bonanza

You can do a lot more with a banana than slice it on your cereal. Among the fruit's other uses: slap a banana peel (the inside part) on an itch caused by a bug bite or poison ivy; this will dial down the inflammation and relieve the itch. You can also use mashed banana as a facial--it’s great for moisturizing dry skin. Banana peel also has anti-acne properties: just rub the inside part of the peel over your clean face to get the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. 

Mustard for Minor Burns

Slather mustard on seared skin. After an initial sting, the mustard will relieve the pain and prevent scarring and blistering. No science here, but lots of enthusiastic testimonials.