2010: The Year of the Flying Car

It's no secret that 2009, and the last decade, was probably one of the most challenging periods in America's history. We saw some of the biggest challenges ever known; from massive natural disasters, amazing advances in medicine and technology, a new war on terror, an economic melt-down, man-made black holes, farewell to icons, and a shift in American politics that changed everything.

In most depiction of the future, the 2000's have always been a period where we envisioned great peace (or mass destruction) and flying cars. It's hard to predict the reality of peace, but the truth is that the flying car is almost here. Granted the major car companies probably won't be mass producing these cars anytime soon, but in some ways the introduction of the flying car is symbolic of a promising future. No, we may not be living like the Jetsons quite yet, but it shows that the future we once dreamt of is coming to fruition.

More on the flying car:
Flying Car 2010

Holiday Healthy

Whether it’s an office holiday party or a family gathering, the season for giving is more like the season for gaining. The cookies, eggnog, buffet dinners, overflowing libations, and all the delicious temptations of the holidays tend to leave us loosening up our belts. Is it possible to enjoy the season without starting to look like Santa Claus? Yes, there are ways to curb those temptations and survive the holidays.

If you’re will power is low when it comes to these tasty treats, like mine, then you know how hard it is to resist the calling of those cookies your boss brought into work. Oh, the joy of those sweet, sweet, cookies! How they just melt in your mouth with every moist God sent morsel… that is until you realize you just wolfed down 5 of them at 150 calories each. Yikes! So, what are some ways to prevent yourself from piling up the calories and feeling a little holiday heavy?

Moderation: Having a little self-control over the holidays is the best way to maintain a healthier season. Some of the best ways to curb those temptations is by choosing healthy food options to balance your plate between healthy picks (veggies, light meat rather than dark, rice cakes, etc.) and that yummy junk food (cookies, cake, etc). Also, try to avoid or reduce the amount of those fatty dips or add-on’s that tend to sneak onto your plates.Think of it this way, ranch dressing (often used to add flavor to veggies) has 150 calories per 2 tbsp. (on average), which can add-up throughout the event. Watching your portion sizes are also key factors to healthy holidays, so be mindful of how much you're putting on your plate or drinking.

Water: Believe it or not, water can be the savior to most of your holiday weight gaining issues. When you’re drinking alcohol, try to blend in a glass of water between drinks. Not only will it balance out your alcohol level (preventing you from getting too drunk), but will also help hydrate your body. Drinking water at room temperature while eating can also help make your stomach feel fuller, and will send signals to your brain to stop or slow consumption. Above all else, water aids in hydrating your body during dry winter months, which can make you feel and look more energetic. So hydrate!

Exercise: It may be hard to work-in an exercise routine during the holidays, but you owe it to your health and well being. Staying active will not only keep you trim, but will also help lower stress levels. It’s no secret that the holidays can be a stressful time with family, travel, and money. A lot of us will turn to food for comfort, but too often it adds to the stress on our bodies. Whether you use a gym, walk in the mall, or do yoga on your new Wii, find something to keep you active. Excerise will reduce the stress, burn those calories, and make you look/feel younger [Fountain of Youth].

A healthy holiday season is possible, and it doesn’t have to restrict you from enjoying all the things you’ve grown to love. Following a few simple steps will help get you on the right track, and you’re body will thank you after all the festivities simmer down.

Modern Etiquette

Whether you're in a business setting or just walking down the street, the modern rules of etiquette and manners may seem to be void from everyone you encounter. Is a renaissance of polite behavior upon us or are we heading into the dark age? Americans worldwide are known for being rude, but even within our own borders we tend to be snarky and forget how to be civilized.

Have you been in line at Starbucks and over heard another patron get snippy with the barista over making a small mistake on their drink? Or maybe you've been walking down the sidewalk and you get behind a group of three who refuse to move out of the way so you can pass? Maybe you're in an industry that has a lot of demands and you often see a co-worker loose their cool in a situation or become really mean with a service rep that's trying to help resolve an issue? We live in a day and age where the line between work/life stresses seem to be blurred, and it can seem like everyone wants a piece of you. Generally, when we get stressed or angered we tend to forget how to retain any manners (even when the person we're dealing with may have none), but that's when they're most needed.

As in any situation you can't control what others do or say, but you do have the power over your own actions and words. Remember that others are watching (your children, friends, and co-workers) and what you do or say can speak volumes on what others secretly think about you. Basic manners go a long way, and can really impact your life and personal happiness.

Some helpful links:

• The New Etiquette (book)
• Simple Thinking: Difficult People (link)
• Managing Stress (link)

First Snow

For those [in Chicago] today is the first snow for the winter months. The first snow fall, for many of us, is a sign that the holiday season is officially here, and can be an exciting time to celebrate with friends and family. However for the unemployed it can also be a difficult period to remain positive and stay strong on your search. Cabin fever, depression, and loss of interest are some common side effects of lacking employment during the winter months.


If you're in a region where weather keeps you inside for the majority of the time over the next five months it can be a challenge to not go a little crazy. Some of the ways I find to keep your mind sharp is exercising or joining an indoor sports league. You'd be surprised how much better you feel when you get out some aggression, and it also can be a great way to strengthen your networking skills. If sports aren't you thing, then you might find solace in becoming more active in your church or community. Charities need tons of volunteers during the winter mouths, and believe it or not employers highly regard folks more active in their community. Becoming a volunteer offers both the organization and individual so many benefits beyond what you would initially expect to gain.

The holidays can be stressful, especially if money is tight, but who says that you have to spend a ton of money to have a festive winter. Some of my best holiday memories came from when my family had the least amount of money for gifts or trips. For tons of ideas on how to simplify your holiday season, check out Real Simple.

It's true that few employers (with the except of retailers) are looking to hire during holiday months (Nov-Dec.), but what a lot of job seekers fail to realize is that those same employers are really gearing up for January. With the new year comes, for many companies, a renewed budget and the potential for hiring more employees or launching dominant projects. This can also be a great time for networking through friends and family at their holiday parties. One word of advise... although this is the time to really network at parties or social holiday events, don't make the mistake of talking too much about your desire to find work. You don't want to be 'that person' that can't shut up about being unemployed or look like you're fishing for employment (even though you are). Open up the conversation with common interests and hobbies. It's kind of the idea that most business deals happen on the golf course, but instead with a candy cane in hand.

This season, don't let the first snow put you out in the cold with a damper outlook to finding employment. Finding ways to stay active and networking is at your finger tips, so don't let the holiday pass you by without taking advantage of the opportunities that lay before you.