GeekSugar

Geek Tip: How to Make a Monitor Cozy

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:59 PDT

Martha Stewart has some directions for how to make a monitor cozy from an old issue of Blueprint, which reminded me of the monitor cozies I created for my boyfriend's two monitors last year. Lest you get discouraged by how nice and fancy Martha's version is, just check out the ones I made on my own, with just a bit of quick measuring and side-seam sewing. I also added a lining as well as a decorative fabric, since, like Martha says, it adds a little bit of color to the room.

Of course, hers are made much more carefully, where I'm more of a sew-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal. For instance, she adds gussets, and I don't even know what a gusset is.

iCovers Protect Your Precious Monitor

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PDT

As pathetic as it is, I think of my computer as an extension of me, in that I want to keep it safe from bumps and bruises like any good mom. I take the time to select a comfortably padded bag or sleeve for my laptop, so shouldn't I want to protect it at home? Acme makes soft, sleek, and extremely attractive iCovers, not only for laptop screens, but Apple cinema displays and monitors. I actually hunted for something like this a year or so ago for my monitors and couldn't find it, so I sewed it. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post my instructions, but all I can say is that they don't look near as pretty as the iCovers.

Prices range from about $30 to $80, and they even take custom orders.

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6 Ways to Sit Less Every Day

Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:03:42 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Sarah Kehoe

Need help being less sedentary? Here are the best ways to sit less and move more, from easiest to hardest.

Pace on the phone
Invest in a two-way speakerphone, a superlong phone-to-ear cord, or a quality headset so you can be more mobile while you chat.

Even if you simply stand while on the phone, you'll naturally shift from leg to leg.

Health.com: Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

Putter after eating
Or take a quick walk postmeals. The fat levels in your bloodstream are highest after eating, and simply moving around afterward increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which spurs your metabolism.

Opt for bar seats at restaurants
Sit on the front third of the bar stool. Spread your feet just wider than hip distance, so they're supporting a fair bit of your weight, and gently roll your hips forward, arching your back slightly.

This position is called "perching" - it maintains an S-shape in your spine and distributes your weight more evenly.

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

Leave the seat at home
Whether you're going to a concert, tailgate, or park, don't bring a chair.

You'll find that if you don't have one, you stand the whole time or naturally move back and forth between your blanket and standing, says Marc Hamilton, PhD, a microbiologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

More suggestions for giving up the chair after the break.

8 Ideas to Use Up Your FSA Before the Year-End

Emily Co — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:15 PST

Now that it's nearing the end of the year, there are some money chores you need to take care of, such as making sure you've spent the money in your Flexible Spending Account because it will expire before the New Year. You're actually allowed to file an extension if you haven't used up all your FSA dollars, but you need to check your company policy to see if they allow that. Don't fret if you can't extend, here are some last-minute ideas to use your FSA money:

Over-the-counter items: We're not allowed to spend our FSA dollars on over-the-counter medicines without prescriptions but there are plenty of nonmedicinal products that we can still use the FSA money for. For example, band aids, crutches, first aid kits, and rubbing alcohol.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is covered by your FSA, so if you have a condition such as pain, consider acupuncture.
Chiropractic: Your FSA also covers chiropractic visits, so now may be the time to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.
Birth control: Contraceptives are covered by the FSA, although some require prescription.
Glasses and contact lens: Schedule a vision exam and use your FSA dollars to buy a new pair of glasses or supplies of contact lenses.
Prescription medicine: Buy prescription medicine if it makes sense for you to do so. Most insurance policies will only let you buy a month's supply at a time, so you can't exactly stock up on medicine.
Doctor's visit: Your FSA will cover the copay so if you're due for a doctor's visit, try to go before the end of the year.
Medical monitoring and testing devices: If you need a gadget to measure and monitor your blood pressure or ovulation, perhaps it's time to buy one now. Pregnancy and glucose test kits also qualify.

FSA is best used when it covers items that your health insurance doesn't generally pay for. Remember to use them or you'll lose them before the year's up!

The 5 Germiest Spots For Travelers

Heather Dale — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:53:36 PDT

Jet-setters, backpackers, hotel aficionados beware - your carefree travel from point A to point B may not be so innocent after all. There are germs lurking on the check-in counter at the airport, on the subway seat during your morning commute, and on the ice bucket in your hotel room. If you've watched the movie Contagion, you'll most likely already be on high germ alert. Here are are five bacteria-thriving spots travelers should take extra precaution to protect themselves against.

Airports: As soon as you arrive at the airport, you'll come in contact with the check-in counter and ticket kiosk - both of which are covered in bacteria and possibly even mold. Just think of the thousands (possibly millions) of people who have touched these areas before you. Try wiping the kiosk ticket monitor with an antibacterial hand wipe to make sure it's clean before using, or wash your hands afterward as soon as possible.

And to avoid athlete's foot or other fungal infections when walking through the security checkpoint, wear socks (or bring some if you're wearing sandals) - just don't go barefoot! Staphylococcus aureus has been discovered in these checkpoints.

Keep reading to see what other locations made the list.

9 Ways We Still Waste Money

Bundle — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:15:24 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart Bundle story here on Savvy!

I'd like to believe that I've perfectly honed my ability to spend money in a way that benefits me now - and will continue to do so in the future. However, just when I think I've got it all figured out, that's when the rug is pulled out from under my checking account (so to speak). Little slip-ups here and there seem harmless and unavoidable but when I really step back and examine my financial decision-making on a daily basis, I notice that there are plenty of areas still left to improve. If you're anything like me, you might need to work on them, too.

Buying brand names

While there are definite differences between certain brand name products and their cheaper generic counterparts, most of the time, there is absolutely no discernible distinction apart from the packaging and the inflated price. Toasted Oats are just as good as Cheerios and nobody will ever know the thrifty secret (especially if you're one of those people who transfers all dry cereal to a plastic container rather than saving the box).

Overspending on your car

Most contemporary cars are designed to use regular gas and putting premium fuel into that system will not improve the car's performance in any way (think of it as the mechanical version of the misguided belief that "well, beta carotene can help prevent night blindness so if I eat a ton of carrots, my eyesight will never stop improving"). Conversely, cars designed to run on premium will not find any sort of drop-off with regular gas. So why pay more for the same results?

Additionally, many modern cars can traditionally go longer between oil changes (especially if you're using synthetic oil), meaning you don't need to make as many costly trips to the mechanic. A better idea for constant vehicle maintenance is to just monitor your tire pressure to ensure you're getting the best gas mileage possible in between those actually necessary oil changes.

Read on for more ways we're wasting money.

Monitor Your Baby With Ease and Comfort

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:34:20 PDT

Baby monitors have come a long way from the crackly, static-filled intercoms that filled store shelves just a few years ago. Today, they not only allow parents to hear if their lil one wakes up in the middle of the night, but they also offer video and temperature monitoring and can even be shared with family and friends. The Lorex Live Wireless Video Home Monitor ($170) offers all of this and more in a reliable, easy-to-use package. Setup couldn't be easier with the Lorex system. Simply power up both the camera and the display screen and begin viewing instantly.

The camera gives clear audio and video, and in darkness, it will automatically shift into night mode, creating illuminated imaging through infrared light sensors. Via the display screen, moms can hold the "Talk" button to speak directly to their tots. They can also turn on a comforting lullaby to soothe lil ones back to sleep.

Keep reading to find out why we are liking the Lorex Baby Monitor.

OnSugar Blogger Girl Meet Fit's Cycling Look

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:06:52 PDT

If you're looking for a new cycling look to sport this Summer, the OnSugar blog Girl Meets Fit has you covered. Keep reading to shop her fun, hip look!

Snake from top left: Oakley Commit Sq sunglasses ($150), Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 running shoe ($70), Timex Road Trainer heart monitor ($110), "Reduce Reuse Bicycle" Sigg bottle ($28), Adidas by Stella McCartney cycle padded short ($81), Adidas cycle tee ($64), New Balance reflective jacket ($40), Smartwool cycling socks, 3-pack ($41)

Gain more fun workout shopping suggestions by following Girl Meets Fit. And why not start your own OnSugar blog? Your posts could be featured here on FitSugar.

10 Tips to Improve Your Running Technique

Shape — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:58:44 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape, here on FitSugar.

Don’t Run Heels First. Avoid striking the pavement with your heels - save that for your power walks. "When you walk, you keep one foot in contact with the ground, while running has a moment of weightlessness in the stride," says Alex Figueroa, a running coach and creator of Priority1 Wellness in Miami Beach. Running with a heel landing can contribute to back and knee pain.
Do Land on the Midsole of Your Foot. Landing on your forefoot (instead of your heels) allows your muscles to catch the weight of your body in flight, reducing the effects of impact on the joints and bones, says Figueroa.
Don't Use a Long Stride. Leaping forward while you run is inefficient and an energy drain. Instead, stand tall and lean forward, and when you feel like you are going to fall, step forward just enough to catch yourself. This should be the length of your stride. It takes less energy to fall than to reach your foot in front of you.

Read on for seven more tips to improve your running technique.

Top 10 Signs You're a Running Fanatic

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:50:54 PDT

Some of us are extreme health nuts, taking care of our bodies by shopping solely at health food stores, snacking on kale chips, and cooking up quinoa. Another way we can travel on the healthy path is with exercise. Running is one of the most popular ways to stay in shape, and some people are completely obsessed. Are you? Here are 10 signs that designate you as a born-certified running fanatic.

For your birthday, you'd rather see a box from Nike than a box from Tiffany's.
You own more sports bras than regular bras.
When someone asks you out for a date, you assume it's to go running.
At least one of your toenails is black or missing.
When your heart is pounding, you're breathing heavy, and you're covered in sweat, you're not in the bedroom.

To see the last five signs,