I was pretty surprised to find out my preferred search results did NOT come from Google. Like many others, I've been using Google for many services including my primary email address, documents, and searching. After using Blind Search, I see that Bing showed me favorable results twice and Yahoo once. I will definitely test out Bing more from now on. My 3 searches were my name, Sew Crafty, and Arcade Fire. In my opinion, my search phrases were simple; I'm not too sure what kind of complex term I could have searched. Bing showed more links that listed my name (my name is very common apparently) of individuals in Houston. For Sew Crafty, I went with Bing as well as it listed the Houston business first as well as other businesses in the US and craft-related sites. Arcade Fire is band I really like and Yahoo showed results of their website, their Myspace, and their Fan forum page. I believe Google and Bing had Wikipedia entries listed in the top results..no bueno.
But according to Hitwise, I'm not the only one siding with Google. According to this week's statistics, Google is the #1 site across multiple measures: top websites, top search engine in visits and volume. However, there is a marginal difference between the top sites which Facebook is a close 2nd. As for search engines, Google is in the lead by more than 50%!
Although I'm fairly content with what Google offers me, I am very impressed with Bing. I do recall when it first came out but I never took time to look at their site. I am a visual learner and appreciate visual design. I like how Bing has changing backgrounds that offer relevant/educational information tagged on the images. I also like the travel feature that allowed me to search flight prices on the spot. That is very convenient. I also checked out the shopping feature as I am in the market for a new MP3 player. I don't think Google has given me results as precise as Bing has given me. I use Yahoo occasionally as well. In my eyes, Yahoo will always be the middle child, hehe.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wellness #42: Staying Well
Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker
Since I'm not currently taking medication, I decided to test out the Symptom Checker. Fortunately I don't have persistent body pains but on occasion, my arm will be numb. I looked up my symptoms pertaining to arm/hand numbness and the top cause is Carpel Tunnel. I do spent most of my time using an electronic device whether its my work desktop computer, home laptop, or cell phone. But according to the description, carpel tunnel isn't caused by that. I don't think I care too much for this symptom checker and have used WebMD more often because it narrows symptoms by gender and allows you to select the area of the body than to choose what types of feelings you are having. But I did do a keyword search for other issues I deal with and found pertinent information about my recurrent problems. I like how the site breaks down diagnoses with a general description, symptoms, causes, and so on. I can definitely see this site useful for clarification purposes on other "illnesses."
MedlinePlus
I found this site to be very useful; I can't believe I've never used this before! I was able to look up support groups as well as contact information for the support groups. I also wanted to find information on Nutritionists and according to the site, there are 11 businesses near me. I think this is a site I can use for other needs as well. Although I have a set of doctors through my insurance, I have friends and families needing help so I can definitely direct them to this site for information.
Family History
Since I'm not currently taking medication, I decided to test out the Symptom Checker. Fortunately I don't have persistent body pains but on occasion, my arm will be numb. I looked up my symptoms pertaining to arm/hand numbness and the top cause is Carpel Tunnel. I do spent most of my time using an electronic device whether its my work desktop computer, home laptop, or cell phone. But according to the description, carpel tunnel isn't caused by that. I don't think I care too much for this symptom checker and have used WebMD more often because it narrows symptoms by gender and allows you to select the area of the body than to choose what types of feelings you are having. But I did do a keyword search for other issues I deal with and found pertinent information about my recurrent problems. I like how the site breaks down diagnoses with a general description, symptoms, causes, and so on. I can definitely see this site useful for clarification purposes on other "illnesses."
MedlinePlus
I found this site to be very useful; I can't believe I've never used this before! I was able to look up support groups as well as contact information for the support groups. I also wanted to find information on Nutritionists and according to the site, there are 11 businesses near me. I think this is a site I can use for other needs as well. Although I have a set of doctors through my insurance, I have friends and families needing help so I can definitely direct them to this site for information.
Family History
I attempted to create a family tree and didn't realize how large my family is! Both parents come from a large family and I don't any of my uncles or aunts too well. I do recall three of my dad's brothers passed away from stroke-related events. It seems that heart disease is prevalent on my father's side and diabetes and cancer run on my mom's side. This would be helpful for genealogical studies to see what reoccurring diseases pop up and thus mean I am more susceptible to.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
iHCPL #41: Going Green (1 & 2)
Going Green Part 1
Prior to reviewing this blog, I felt like I was a fairly green individual. But to my dismay, inactivity (as opposed to pro-active choices) is just as bad as purposely living a non-green lifestyle.
I took the Carbon Footprint text and it says I emit 12.3 tons of Carbon Dioxide a year! To be honest, I'm not sure what it means exactly but compared to the average emission per person and the number of individuals living in the states, I take it that the amount I emit is not good. I already air-dry my clothes and I've gotten into the habit of unplugging SOME appliances when not in use. I know to make small improvements, I can get into the habit of always turning of my power strips when I'm not using those devices.
As for moving around town, I can probably ride my bicycle to the grocery store if I can buy small amounts of items OR make a stop right after work. I have gotten into a bad habit of eating out during the work week which is bad in more ways than one. Apart from letting out more Carbon Dioxide, I choose unhealthy places and spend money I should be saving. I am willing to attempt a stricter workweek diet which will help with spending money and keeping the air a smidgen cleaner.
As for Green Dining, I am not very familiar with local Farmers' markets. I did use to go with my dad when I was younger and he would purchase veggies for the restaurants but I never went for personal shopping. I am most interested in visiting a market b/c the weather is much more tolerable and it may be nice to browse around a market as a pastime. Also, I would be supporting our local businesses and I am always a fan of local shopping.
Also, I just recently befriended a lady who grows her own produce in her backyard. The last time I saw her, she gave me a sweet potato! I am hoping our friendship will inspire me to dabble in the garden and try harvesting my own foods!
Going Green Part 2
After reading tips on how to green my daily lifestyle, I see there is room for improvement. I review the 5 tips for a green home and I can definitely benefit from sealing and topping holes and open slivers around my home. The windows are pretty old and eventually, I'd like to purchase better windows. I am also proud to say I use the compact fluorescent bulbs already.
As far as things I'd like to consider is the make your own non-toxic cleaning kit. Apart from spending money on a variety of products, I would like to invest in a general all-purpose cleaning set. I also checked out on the site about mosquito repellent and the site lists recipes as well as products. I also liked DIYlife which has how-to videos which are more suited for me since I'm a visual learner.
A task I'd like to take up is recycling. Unfortunately my area does not have curbside recycling which makes it harder to save my recyclables. I am currently in the process of tidying the porch so that I can designate plastic bins for different types of recycling. Luckily I found a place that is open on Saturdays where I can drop off recyclables. I hope once my lil' station is set, I can schedule monthly drop off times.
Prior to reviewing this blog, I felt like I was a fairly green individual. But to my dismay, inactivity (as opposed to pro-active choices) is just as bad as purposely living a non-green lifestyle.
I took the Carbon Footprint text and it says I emit 12.3 tons of Carbon Dioxide a year! To be honest, I'm not sure what it means exactly but compared to the average emission per person and the number of individuals living in the states, I take it that the amount I emit is not good. I already air-dry my clothes and I've gotten into the habit of unplugging SOME appliances when not in use. I know to make small improvements, I can get into the habit of always turning of my power strips when I'm not using those devices.
As for moving around town, I can probably ride my bicycle to the grocery store if I can buy small amounts of items OR make a stop right after work. I have gotten into a bad habit of eating out during the work week which is bad in more ways than one. Apart from letting out more Carbon Dioxide, I choose unhealthy places and spend money I should be saving. I am willing to attempt a stricter workweek diet which will help with spending money and keeping the air a smidgen cleaner.
As for Green Dining, I am not very familiar with local Farmers' markets. I did use to go with my dad when I was younger and he would purchase veggies for the restaurants but I never went for personal shopping. I am most interested in visiting a market b/c the weather is much more tolerable and it may be nice to browse around a market as a pastime. Also, I would be supporting our local businesses and I am always a fan of local shopping.
Also, I just recently befriended a lady who grows her own produce in her backyard. The last time I saw her, she gave me a sweet potato! I am hoping our friendship will inspire me to dabble in the garden and try harvesting my own foods!
Going Green Part 2
After reading tips on how to green my daily lifestyle, I see there is room for improvement. I review the 5 tips for a green home and I can definitely benefit from sealing and topping holes and open slivers around my home. The windows are pretty old and eventually, I'd like to purchase better windows. I am also proud to say I use the compact fluorescent bulbs already.
As far as things I'd like to consider is the make your own non-toxic cleaning kit. Apart from spending money on a variety of products, I would like to invest in a general all-purpose cleaning set. I also checked out on the site about mosquito repellent and the site lists recipes as well as products. I also liked DIYlife which has how-to videos which are more suited for me since I'm a visual learner.
A task I'd like to take up is recycling. Unfortunately my area does not have curbside recycling which makes it harder to save my recyclables. I am currently in the process of tidying the porch so that I can designate plastic bins for different types of recycling. Luckily I found a place that is open on Saturdays where I can drop off recyclables. I hope once my lil' station is set, I can schedule monthly drop off times.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
iHCPL #40: Fitness
I am a fairly large person but I do aim to do some sort of (added) physical activity each day. I love walking at the park because it helps me de-stress and also burn a few calories. However, if I want to lose weight, I know I have to increase my cardio immensely.
I reviewed the Mayo Clinic's 5 Step Program and I know I have a lot of room for improvement. One thing I would like to do in the near future if the weather allows is go on a hike. I went on my first hike sometime in August and thoroughly enjoyed it (apart from bug bites!). I would like to continue this activity if the weather gets under 80 degrees!
I reviewed FamilyDoctor.org's suggestions to keeping at it and I agree with sticking to activities you enjoy and finding a buddy. I have a hard time motivating myself to go and work out but if a friend is interested in accompanying me, I am motivated to go and I get my gossip-fill for the day. I enjoy walking the most so I try to do that but other things need to be done such as cleaning the yard. I have to remind myself that the added benefit of cleaning the yard is burning calories. Another thing I am considering if shopping for an exercise machine via Craigslist and using that while watching my daily dose of TV. There are a number of shows I watch on DVD which I think I can easily convince myself to watch while working out.
Calculators & Questionnaire
So I once I tried out the calculators and questionnaire, I don't think I'm horribly off the trail. I am considered morbidly obese (such a harsh term, don't you think?) but my life expectancy is about 86.3. I don't think I'd want to live that long, but if I did, I want to try and make the best of it. My areas needing improvement are psychological, CAD (coronary heart disease), and Diet. I think they are all interconnected because I tend to stress out about minor details and if I can balance that, I wouldn't be so inclined to snack on serotonin-inducing foods such as carbs and chocolate. I think I am very capable of creating a healthy lifestyle. Apart from my love for research and sharing information with others, I joined HCPL's Wellness Committee so I can educate myself on healthy living and resources. I'd like to try Pilates because I hear a lot of people say good things about it. Not only do you practice relaxation, you stretch your body (which helps release those feel-good chemicals, and burn calories- awesome! I think once I get a handle on a good amount of activity, my body will crave fresh fruits and vegetables. I started buying apples and carrots again and I started adding frozen vegetables to my meals for added sustenance. Even if these are small efforts, it's better than nothing, right?
I reviewed the Mayo Clinic's 5 Step Program and I know I have a lot of room for improvement. One thing I would like to do in the near future if the weather allows is go on a hike. I went on my first hike sometime in August and thoroughly enjoyed it (apart from bug bites!). I would like to continue this activity if the weather gets under 80 degrees!
I reviewed FamilyDoctor.org's suggestions to keeping at it and I agree with sticking to activities you enjoy and finding a buddy. I have a hard time motivating myself to go and work out but if a friend is interested in accompanying me, I am motivated to go and I get my gossip-fill for the day. I enjoy walking the most so I try to do that but other things need to be done such as cleaning the yard. I have to remind myself that the added benefit of cleaning the yard is burning calories. Another thing I am considering if shopping for an exercise machine via Craigslist and using that while watching my daily dose of TV. There are a number of shows I watch on DVD which I think I can easily convince myself to watch while working out.
Calculators & Questionnaire
So I once I tried out the calculators and questionnaire, I don't think I'm horribly off the trail. I am considered morbidly obese (such a harsh term, don't you think?) but my life expectancy is about 86.3. I don't think I'd want to live that long, but if I did, I want to try and make the best of it. My areas needing improvement are psychological, CAD (coronary heart disease), and Diet. I think they are all interconnected because I tend to stress out about minor details and if I can balance that, I wouldn't be so inclined to snack on serotonin-inducing foods such as carbs and chocolate. I think I am very capable of creating a healthy lifestyle. Apart from my love for research and sharing information with others, I joined HCPL's Wellness Committee so I can educate myself on healthy living and resources. I'd like to try Pilates because I hear a lot of people say good things about it. Not only do you practice relaxation, you stretch your body (which helps release those feel-good chemicals, and burn calories- awesome! I think once I get a handle on a good amount of activity, my body will crave fresh fruits and vegetables. I started buying apples and carrots again and I started adding frozen vegetables to my meals for added sustenance. Even if these are small efforts, it's better than nothing, right?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
iHCPL Wellness #39: Nutrition
Since I volunteered to be on the Wellness Committee, I feel more pressured to be healthy..or at least know more about my choices.
I checked out NutritionData and was hoping I would be able to find the date for The Tea House' Taro Cream Blend Bubble Tea. That stuff is so good and I'm sure it has to be more on the unhealthy side of the nutritional spectrum. Since I couldn't find Bubble Tea, I opted to search for a 2nd favorite treat: Taco Bell's Chili Cheese Burrito! I can easily eat 2, maybe even 3 if I try, but after I eat it, I feel so sluggish and get heartburn. I looked up the Chili Cheese Goodness and...surprise, surprise- the fullness factor is a 2.0! No wonder I could eat an entire box of them! It is also high in Saturated Fat and Sodium. I don't know much about fat (other than my body seems to like it) but I'm pretty sure saturated fats are bad.
Although I think the Recipes.Sparkpeople is useful, I hate having to list out ingredients (could it be b/c I don't want to really know HOW MUCH I'm eating?!). I don't cook all too often from scratch but I do occasionally make enchiladas with cream of mushroom (don't knock it til you try it!)
Here are the estimated ingredients I entered:
Ingredients:
* 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom 1/2 cup, 1 serving
* Corn Tortillas, 4 tortilla, medium (approx 6" dia)
* boiled chicken drumstick, 3 serving
* Olive Oil, 3 tbsp
* *Kroger Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese shredded, 1 cup
* Salt, 1 dash
* Garlic powder, 1 tsp
* Onion powder, 1 tsp
Here is the nutritional data:
Calories 1,081.3
Total Fat 78.0 g
Saturated Fat 26.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9 g
Monounsaturated Fat 30.6 g
Cholesterol 125.0 mg
Sodium 1,623.7 mg
Potassium 244.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 60.2 g
Dietary Fiber 7.9 g
Sugars 3.3 g
Protein 37.6 g
Did I mention cheese is a weakness of mine? I adjusted the amount of cheese I would use and that made a huge difference. Instead of a cup of cheese, I put 1/4 cup and the calories dropped down to 781. I then substituted my regular cheese for Fat Free Mozzarella (1/4 cup) and the calories drop down to 731.
So what is the lesson?! Eat less cheese!
I checked out NutritionData and was hoping I would be able to find the date for The Tea House' Taro Cream Blend Bubble Tea. That stuff is so good and I'm sure it has to be more on the unhealthy side of the nutritional spectrum. Since I couldn't find Bubble Tea, I opted to search for a 2nd favorite treat: Taco Bell's Chili Cheese Burrito! I can easily eat 2, maybe even 3 if I try, but after I eat it, I feel so sluggish and get heartburn. I looked up the Chili Cheese Goodness and...surprise, surprise- the fullness factor is a 2.0! No wonder I could eat an entire box of them! It is also high in Saturated Fat and Sodium. I don't know much about fat (other than my body seems to like it) but I'm pretty sure saturated fats are bad.
Although I think the Recipes.Sparkpeople is useful, I hate having to list out ingredients (could it be b/c I don't want to really know HOW MUCH I'm eating?!). I don't cook all too often from scratch but I do occasionally make enchiladas with cream of mushroom (don't knock it til you try it!)
Here are the estimated ingredients I entered:
Ingredients:
* 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom 1/2 cup, 1 serving
* Corn Tortillas, 4 tortilla, medium (approx 6" dia)
* boiled chicken drumstick, 3 serving
* Olive Oil, 3 tbsp
* *Kroger Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese shredded, 1 cup
* Salt, 1 dash
* Garlic powder, 1 tsp
* Onion powder, 1 tsp
Here is the nutritional data:
Calories 1,081.3
Total Fat 78.0 g
Saturated Fat 26.9 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9 g
Monounsaturated Fat 30.6 g
Cholesterol 125.0 mg
Sodium 1,623.7 mg
Potassium 244.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 60.2 g
Dietary Fiber 7.9 g
Sugars 3.3 g
Protein 37.6 g
Did I mention cheese is a weakness of mine? I adjusted the amount of cheese I would use and that made a huge difference. Instead of a cup of cheese, I put 1/4 cup and the calories dropped down to 781. I then substituted my regular cheese for Fat Free Mozzarella (1/4 cup) and the calories drop down to 731.
So what is the lesson?! Eat less cheese!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
#59: Credit, Money Management, and Saving
I was surprised to make such a good grade on the credit score quiz. I hate to admit but I never actually requested my credit score and I have been meaning to do that. I am very punctual about paying my bills on time. If it weren't for online banking, I'd probably be in a lot of trouble.
I am very interested in starting a budgeting plan. I have high hopes once I am done with graduate school that includes taking at least a month long vacation. I also like my electronic toys and would like to purchase a new computer, camera, and other electronic goodness. I am a horrible online shopper. I can spend a bunch on impulse buys online, such as last night, and I need to tighten my control of spending. I looked at About.com's Build a Budget and the concept is fairly simple. Although my actual budget is pretty flexible, I know I spend more than I should on eating out, going out with friends, and treating myself (as well as others) too often. My biggest expense is tuition but I'm fortunate to have received a small scholarship from school and also can opt for the installment plan which makes the thousand plus bill less daunting.
I attempted to view BankRate's article on advice from top financial advisers and the second page was unavailable. I am sure the key to financial stability is minimize frivolous spending when possible. I love gadgets and books and music and spoiling myself. In the end, I still listen to the same tunes, I read a minimal amount of books, and my gadgets gather dust. If I could be strict with myself, I am sure I can save for a nice vacation for the future.
After reviewing the TCDRS site, I found the resources page most useful. Not to act like retirement isn't a big deal but I have a way before I can think about retiring so I never paid much concern to it. I see the resources page has a glossary which is ideal for me! I never knew the official definition of "being vested" but I see it is important and a great thing to accomplish if possible.
I am very interested in starting a budgeting plan. I have high hopes once I am done with graduate school that includes taking at least a month long vacation. I also like my electronic toys and would like to purchase a new computer, camera, and other electronic goodness. I am a horrible online shopper. I can spend a bunch on impulse buys online, such as last night, and I need to tighten my control of spending. I looked at About.com's Build a Budget and the concept is fairly simple. Although my actual budget is pretty flexible, I know I spend more than I should on eating out, going out with friends, and treating myself (as well as others) too often. My biggest expense is tuition but I'm fortunate to have received a small scholarship from school and also can opt for the installment plan which makes the thousand plus bill less daunting.
I attempted to view BankRate's article on advice from top financial advisers and the second page was unavailable. I am sure the key to financial stability is minimize frivolous spending when possible. I love gadgets and books and music and spoiling myself. In the end, I still listen to the same tunes, I read a minimal amount of books, and my gadgets gather dust. If I could be strict with myself, I am sure I can save for a nice vacation for the future.
After reviewing the TCDRS site, I found the resources page most useful. Not to act like retirement isn't a big deal but I have a way before I can think about retiring so I never paid much concern to it. I see the resources page has a glossary which is ideal for me! I never knew the official definition of "being vested" but I see it is important and a great thing to accomplish if possible.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
#58: Money & Finance
I am all about saving a couple trees here and there and I find online banking suitable for my needs. I spend the majority of my time in front of my computer and I never carry cash. I use online banking to send myself reminders when bills are due and automatically transfer money to savings twice a month. My bank does not charge for online banking and I feel it is beneficial for both parties because you save them paper, ink and postage AND you save time. However, this may infringe on the need of bank tellers thus creating a job shortage and such.
I am not too worried about using sites to manage my accounts b/c I feel that my online information is already susceptible to tampering and third party views. This may be naive of me but most banks have some level of protection against identity theft. I decided to create a profile with Mint and received a couple of emails about my weekly expenses. I haven't seen the full potential it offers and plan to cancel the account b/c I don't have time or interest to add in monthly bills that do not extract from my bank account. I think online banking is sufficient use for now. I set up automatic transfers from my checking account to my savings and I also get email reminders when I have bills to pay.
After reading the Consumers Report on spending less, I feel a bit more confident about my spending habit. I recently purchased a water pitcher for myself and my mother for Mother's Day. We constantly purchased water bottles and I've been told that is one habit good to nix b/c of the plastic waste. I definitely think I can be more careful with my debit card as well. At times, I withdraw money but don't make an effort to find my bank's ATM. I've noticed the fees add up fast.
I am not too worried about using sites to manage my accounts b/c I feel that my online information is already susceptible to tampering and third party views. This may be naive of me but most banks have some level of protection against identity theft. I decided to create a profile with Mint and received a couple of emails about my weekly expenses. I haven't seen the full potential it offers and plan to cancel the account b/c I don't have time or interest to add in monthly bills that do not extract from my bank account. I think online banking is sufficient use for now. I set up automatic transfers from my checking account to my savings and I also get email reminders when I have bills to pay.
After reading the Consumers Report on spending less, I feel a bit more confident about my spending habit. I recently purchased a water pitcher for myself and my mother for Mother's Day. We constantly purchased water bottles and I've been told that is one habit good to nix b/c of the plastic waste. I definitely think I can be more careful with my debit card as well. At times, I withdraw money but don't make an effort to find my bank's ATM. I've noticed the fees add up fast.
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