Joshua Lien . com

FRS Healthy Energy is a new system of drinks and chews designed to give you even, sustained energy throughout the day. No more love-hate relationship with bipolar energy drinks that give you a manic, jittery boost followed by a crash that will leave you longing for a nap like the good old days of kindergarten. FRS energy drinks and chews are different. They contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables.  Quercetin fights the oxidants that accumulate in your body from exercise, stress, and normal daily activity, helping you to retain your body's natural energy and health.  Each can of FRS is equivalent to downing the flavonoid antioxidants (free radical scavengers – hence, the name FRS) contained in 10 servings of raspberries, 8 servings of red onions, or 3 servings of blueberries. In addition, FRS gives you green tea catechins and 100% or more of the Recommended Daily Intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, and E. A small amount of caffeine (equal to approximately 1/2 cup or less of coffee) aids metabolism and helps the body absorb other key ingredients. At least that is the sales pitch from FRS.

Does it Work?

For me, yes. I have noticed a definite improvement, but don't take my word for it. FRS is so confident you will be hooked that they offer a free 2-week trial with a retail value of around $50. You pay only $6.95 for shipping. See what it can do for you. Compare FRS Healthy Energy drinks and chews with Monster Energy, Red Bull, Rockstar, Vitamin Water, Starbucks, Mountain Dew Code Red, Coke, or whatever you drink to recharge your batteries.  Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France, is a believer.

Drink Up

I have tried the low-calorie concentrate (orange), low-calorie powder (orange), and low-calorie, ready-to-drink cans (wild berry). Of these, I prefer the concentrate. The powder is fine but does not disperse as well in water, leaving a potent shot of flavor clumps at the end. The ready-to-drink cans are convenient but much more expensive per serving. If you are watching your calories with a microscope and have nothing against sucralose, you will appreciate the low-calorie products. I tolerated their taste without so much as a grimace, even though I shun all diet soft drinks.

I have also tried the regular concentrate (orange), which is my favorite. I have an 8-oz glass every morning in place of the Tropicana orange juice that I used to drink. The taste is very good and well worth the extra 100 calories (over the low-calorie concentrate).

In either case, go with the concentrate. Save some green and be green (less plastic packaging that might find its way to the Trash Vortex).

Chew on This

The chews remind me of soft Starburst candies with a little more flavor kick. Both flavors, lemon-lime and orange, are good, even though they contain a small amount of sucralose to supplement the sugar and corn syrup. I give lemon-lime a slight edge. Open the wrapper and remove the chew with your teeth to keep your fingers free of stickiness.

For energy on the go, I recommend the chews. I usually have two in the afternoon before a workout. Drink plenty of water after eating the chews. I did not a couple of times and ended up feeling thirsty with a mild headache. Otherwise, I have felt great.

Avoid the Catch

If you order the free 2-week trial, FRS creates a standing order for around $80 worth of products to be sent to you every month. You may eventually want this. However, to be safe, call FRS (877-377-4968) the day your sample kit arrives to cancel your trial. If you do not like the products, you ensure an unwanted order will not ship automatically. If you like the products, you can always place a new order, possibly at a discount. Shortly after I received my trial order, FRS sent me an e-mail with a coupon code for 30% off my next order. I used that to stock up.

When ordering direct from FRS, you can get free shipping if you order two or more AutoShip items. AutoShip means FRS creates a standing order to ship the same items every month with free shipping. Again, you can immediately call and cancel the standing order, if you are still not sure you want to make FRS part of your daily regimen. Once you are sure, you may appreciate the convenience of AutoShip. FRS products are also available at GNC and Amazon.

5:05 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

June 01

Pandora Radio - Listen to a Free Internet Radio Station and Discover New Music You Will Like

Imagine sitting in your car listening to your favorite radio station when the latest, overplayed, hot song comes on and drills into your head with a dull bit for the second time in an hour. You could change the station. I do, but that involves some sacrifice. My second favorite station falls much farther down on the sound-wave-quality spectrum. Don't you wish you could just skip to the next song, much like you would with a CD or MP3 player?   

Skip Away

With Pandora, a free Internet radio station, you can. Give a song thumbs down and Pandora immediately skips to the next song and banishes the offending song (and similar songs) to the digital dungeon, never to be played on your radio station again, unless you have a change of heart and decide to issue a pardon. If you are only tired of a song or not sure you want it to sleep with the fishes, click on the skip button. Pandora will keep the song eligible for future play. You are limited to six skips per hour. That may not seem like a lot. However, once Pandora gets to know you and your tastes, you may find that you rarely need to exercise your executive veto power.

Not Your Father's Radio Station

You see, Pandora is not your typical radio station in more ways than one. It really is your station. You enter your favorite song or artist as the seed, and Pandora will grow and cultivate similar music with your help. Enter additional favorites or give a song thumbs up to encourage growth in new directions. Scale back with a thumbs down.

At the heart of Pandora radio is the Music Genome Project, which strives to break down songs to their musical DNA and categorize them accordingly. If you like one song from a species or genus, you are more likely to like the many other songs with similar characteristics. Thus, Pandora often hits the mark by playing a mixture of your old favorites and potential new favorites.

What's the Catch?

There really isn't one. Pandora on the Web is free, supported by unobtrusive advertising. Often, I listen with the browser window minimized, so I only notice the advertising when I switch to the window and give a thumbs up or down, skip, pause, or investigate a new song I like. An optional subscription to Pandora will eliminate the advertising from Pandora on the Web and open up Pandora on the Go for any supported mobile phone and Pandora in the Home (requires Sonos Digital Music System, Logitech Squeezebox, or Logitech Transporter).

I won't go into all the features for customizing and getting the most from Pandora and the listening community. Hopefully, you like what you have read enough to give it a try for yourself. I have included a link to one of my stations for your listening enjoyment, though you will have to create and fine tune at least one station of your own to truly appreciate Pandora.

Have you found any other great radio stations on the Internet? Post them in the comments for us.

10:59 AM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

April 19

Amazon Shopping Tips to Save Money

With gas and food prices rising like a gusher, try these 10 tips to cap the well and save money at Amazon.com.

1.  Buy what you need from Amazon whenever possible.

Avoid driving to the store, wandering through the maze of isles to find an item that is out of stock, waiting to herd through checkout lines, and wondering whether you paid too much.  Buy from Amazon and you will save money, time, and your sanity.  In addition, consolidating your purchases with Amazon will give you more weight as a customer in their eyes.  If a problem arises, they are more likely to see your loyalty and give you the benefit of the doubt "because you are a valued customer."

2.  Join Amazon Prime.

For a $79 annual membership fee, Amazon Prime gives you free 2-day shipping with no order minimum.  Upgrade to 1-day shipping for only $3.99.  You can place as many orders as you want with these benefits.  I no longer wait until I have $25 worth of items to order from Amazon or waste time looking for filler items to bring the total up to $25.  As soon as I know I need something, I place the order.  Buying gifts for friends and family is a breeze now.

3.  Use Subscribe & Save.

When you find an item you want to buy, look for Subscribe & Save in the top section of the product detail page (to the right of the product images).  If available, Subscribe & Save will save you around 15% or more.  Standard shipping is free for all Subscribe & Save orders.  You do not need to order more than $25 or be a member of Amazon Prime.  Cancel a subscription at any time with no penalty.  Right now, I subscribe and save on Huggies diapers, L'il Critters Gummy Bears vitamins, Kashi cereals and bars, John McCann's steel cut oatmeal, and Clif Bar and Clif Shot products.   New items are frequently added to the Subscribe & Save program, so always look for it.

4.  Check FatWallet or your favorite shopping deal site for hot deals and discount or coupon codes.

Visit FatWallet.com or a similar site.  Search the forums for hot deals at Amazon (type in "Amazon" and scan the recent posts).  You can also search for the name of a certain item you want to buy.  You may find a great deal at Amazon or another site.  Then, enter the cash back and coupon section to see if any coupon codes are available and applicable to your purchase.

5.  Compare prices with PriceGrabber, Froogle, or your favorite price comparison site.

Often, Amazon offers the lowest price. But, in some cases, you may save money by not buying from Amazon. It only takes a few seconds to check. While you are at FatWallet, click on the Compare Prices button to access PriceGrabber.com. Type in the model number or the name of the item and search. Click on the Compare Prices button next to the correct item and a list of Sellers and prices will appear. Enter your zip code, if you haven't already, to get the total prices including shipping and tax.

6.  Add items that you wish to buy to your cart and monitor.

If you are not in a rush to buy, add the item to your cart and click on the Save for later button.  Visit Amazon periodically and click on Cart.  When you do, an Important Message may come up at the top of the screen highlighting any changes in the prices of items in your cart.  These changes will be from the last time you viewed your cart until present time.  You will not find out about other changes that may have occurred along the way, and Amazon tends to tinker with the prices a lot, sometimes more than once a day.  However, you will get a feel for when you are getting the best deal in recent weeks versus the best deal at that moment.

7.  Add items that you just bought to your cart again and monitor.

As in Tip 6, you will get an important message alert for any price changes.  If Amazon lowers the price of an item within 30 days from the day you received the item, send them an e-mail or give them a call and ask for a credit for the difference.  Make sure you are looking at the price from Amazon.  Amazon will not match a lower price from other Sellers (see policy details).

8.  Get an Amazon.com Visa card.

Sign up online through Amazon and you will receive a $30 credit after your first purchase.  Earn additional $25 reward certificates by collecting points for purchases.  These points equate to a 3% savings at Amazon and a 1% savings everywhere else.

9.  Consider buying from Amazon Sellers.

Sellers (big names like Target and small names like me) are great when you are looking for the absolute lowest price (not always Amazon), a used item (to save money), or an item that Amazon does not carry or have in stock.  You still get all the advantages of your relationship with Amazon (order convenience, purchase protection, Visa card rewards, excellent customer service, etc.).  Look for More Buying Choices information on the far right of the product detail page.

10.  Collect items you no longer use to sell on Amazon.

Selling on Amazon is much easier than selling on eBay.  Amazon takes a cut only if the item sells.  Otherwise, it costs nothing.  The item must be in Amazon's vast catalog of products before you can sell it.

5:53 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 31

Are You Gambling with the Lives of Your Children Every Time You Drive?

The odds are stacked against you according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Recent national studies indicated over 70% of child restraints may be used incorrectly.  Other sources claim different percentages, but every one that I have seen is well over 50%.

This subject hits home for me.  My wife was driving to the park one morning with our two oldest daughters (1 and 3 at the time).  She exited the highway (75 MPH speed limit) and was slowing down to a speed likely between 55 and 75 MPH when she lost control and rolled five or six times across the road and down the embankment.  We do not know what caused her to lose control.  She remembers getting the kids ready and leaving the house, but that is all until a few foggy recollections from her 5-day hospital stay.  I picked the kids up from the hospital after the accident and brought them home the same day with only minor scratches and bruises.  The car was a total loss (see pictures below).  Every window shattered.  The rear axle ripped off.

I strongly believe a seatbelt saved my wife's life and properly installed and fitted child safety seats saved my children's lives.  So, I urge you to do the following right now:

1.  Commit to always wear your seat belt when driving.  If you have children or are responsible for driving with any children, read on.

 

2.  Commit to always ensure all children riding with you are properly restrained before putting the car in drive.

 

3.  Review the guidelines for how to properly restrain children.  Do you have the right child safety seat for their size and age?

 

4.  Review the manufacturer's installation instructions for each child safety seat and the vehicle owner's manual and inspect the installation.  Do you have the child safety seat properly installed?

 

5.  Review the manufacturer's fitting instructions for each child safety seat and inspect the fit frequently.  Kids grow and wear different clothing.  Is the child safety seat adjusted to fit its occupant?

 

6.  Register each child safety seat and monitor recall information.  Has a defect been found with the child safety seat?

 

7.  Search for a free child safety seat inspection in your area and commit to go to the first one that works for you.  Don't forget to bring any children that ride with you to the inspection.  If you cannot find an inspection event that is convenient for you, try calling your local fire station or police station.  They often have someone available who is certified to perform inspections on request.  Are you sure you have the child safety seat properly installed and adjusted for its occupant?

Taking these actions may save lives.  I am reminded of that every day when I wake up and see my wife and daughters (four girls now).  With stakes this high, don't leave it to chance.

10:54 PM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

March 20

Have Your Popcorn and Eat It Too

Watching a movie without popcorn is like dancing without music. You can do it, but it just doesn't feel right. By itself, popcorn is 100% whole grain, high fiber, 100% natural, low fat, and generally considered a good food. Add standard cooking oil and a wad of butter and the popcorn becomes a liability. So, how can someone who wants to eat healthy keep popcorn in their diet?

You could go au naturale, cooking your popcorn in a microwave or hot air popper without any oil, toppings, or salt. It's not bad once in a while, but it leaves my taste buds feeling jilted. That's a tough sell and not where I'm going with this.

The trick is to use olive oil. If I pop my popcorn with olive oil, I can eliminate butter or margarine and still keep the flavor. My secret family recipe is given below.

Healthy Popcorn

1.  Add ¼ cup of Orville Redenbacher's Original Popcorn to a Presto PowerPop Microwave Popper.

 

2.  Drizzle 1 tbsp. of olive oil over the popcorn.

 

3.  Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes 30 seconds or until you hear more than 2 seconds between pops.

 

4.  Pour the popcorn into a serving bowl and season lightly with salt.

 

If you have a favorite type of popcorn, you can try it in place of Orville Redenbacher. I have not found anything better yet. You may also get good results with a popper other than the Presto PowerPop Microwave Popper. I like the Presto PowerPop for several reasons. It pops nearly every kernel with or without oil. Cleanup is simple. Put the top and the bowl in the dishwasher. You might choose to eliminate the salt or replace it with a powdered flavor topping, such as cheese, butter, or caramel. Most of the powdered toppings have little effect on the nutritional value of your popcorn. Read the label to be sure. Then, fire up your Blu-ray, sit back, watch the movie, and enjoy delicious popcorn without feeling guilty.

11:13 PM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

March 09

RoboForm2Go Achieves Daylight Saving Time

In the spirit of today's transition to daylight saving time, I wanted to highlight RoboForm2Go, a product that saves me time every day.  I already include RoboForm and RoboForm2Go in The Lien List, but the benefits warrant additional attention.

What is RoboForm2Go?

RoboForm2Go is portable software that securely manages your passwords and personal information for life on the go.  You can install the software on any USB flash drive.  I currently use a 2 GB drive, leaving plenty of room for the typical use of a USB flash drive, which is to store and transfer various files.

How does it work?

Plug the USB flash drive into your computer and the RoboForm2Go software will load (attaching to your browser like a toolbar) or prompt you to load it.  Enter your master password, the only password you will have to remember, and your encrypted files remain accessible for a period of time that you control.  If you do not access RoboForm2Go during that time, you will be required to re-enter the master password.  Without the master password, the RoboForm2Go files are useless.  If you have a good master password, it would be very difficult for someone to gain access to your files.

To login to a website, select the site from your personal list with a single click and watch RoboForm2Go quickly take care of the rest:  navigating your browser to the appropriate website, entering your user ID and password (or any other required information), and clicking login.  If the site has additional security questions, you can record them as notes in RoboForm2Go.  The first time you visit a site with RoboForm2Go running, you will have to enter the information manually, and RoboForm2Go will ask you if you want to save the information.  After that, only one click is required to login.  This keeps your passwords safe from keyloggers.

To fill out forms, click on your profile name and RoboForm2Go will populate the fields with the correct information.  This feature makes registering for a new account, placing an order, entering a contest, or requesting a free sample a breeze.  You can create multiple profiles to store details for everyone in your family and different situations (personal vs. business).

To generate a new, secure, random password, click on the generate button and RoboForm2Go will suggest a password that includes a mixture of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and even symbols.  You can adjust the number of characters to use.  The new password can be copied and pasted to the required fields.

To store an ATM PIN, lock combination, phone passwords, or other sensitive information that you use offline, create a SafeNote in RoboForm2Go.  Your master password protects the information.

When you are finished using RoboForm2Go, you can exit the software or remove the USB flash drive.  RoboForm2Go automatically cleans up after itself and leaves no traces on the computer.  This is perfect for using a library, school, work, or Internet cafe computer.

Every week or so, I back up my passwords on my computer.  You can also print out a hardcopy of all your passwords to store in a fireproof safe or other location.

Why do I need it?

Before evolving to the use of RoboForm2Go, I tried several approaches to managing my passwords.  Most recently, I used a password-protected Word document to store all of my passwords.  This worked much the same as RoboForm2Go, by allowing me to remember one master password to access the rest of my passwords.  However, I had to update and enter everything manually and my data was not encrypted.  RoboForm2Go saves me time (hours each month) and gives me peace of mind.  At a cost of $39.95, I cannot think of a more effective investment.  This is a phenomenal value and a must have.  You will wonder how you lived without it.  The software is endorsed by many others including PC Magazine, PC World, and CNET Download.com.

How do I get it?

Download the free 30-day trial.  If you agree with me after your free trial, and I am confident you will, buy the full version.  People that have less than 10 logins can continue to use the free trial version for as long as they want.

What about RoboForm?

RoboForm is the standard program that is tied to one desktop computer or laptop.  You can purchase additional licenses at a discount.  If you do not want to be forced to have your USB flash drive plugged in every time you use RoboForm on your home computer, you should buy a RoboForm license ($9.95 when purchased with RoboForm2Go).  If you do not want the portability that RoboForm2Go offers, you can purchase just RoboForm for $29.95.

5:58 AM GMT  |  Read comments(0)

February 28

Continuous Chest Compression CPR - Don't Be Just a Bystander

When confronted with an adult stranger in cardiac arrest, don't be just a bystander.  Be a lifesaver.  That is the goal of a new cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique pioneered at The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center.  Continuous Chest Compression CPR (CCC-CPR) or Cardiocerebral Resuscitation (CCR) eliminates the two things most likely to intimidate and prevent a bystander from taking lifesaving action.

 

1.  No mouth-to-mouth contact.

 

2.  No confusing procedure that may be difficult to recall, perform under duress, or complete with instruction over the phone.

 

In addition, studies, including a recent Japanese study published on March 17, 2007 in The Lancet, show that Continuous Chest Compression CPR is more effective in treating cardiac arrest.  Regarding the Japanese study, Gordon A. Ewy, MD, director of Sarver Heart Center stated, "The report confirms that what we have learned in animal experiments applies to humans as well."  Dr. Ewy continued, "Bystander-initiated continuous chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth breathing are the preferable approach for witnessed unexpected collapse, which is usually due to cardiac arrest."

An important point is that if the collapse involves respiratory arrest, such as might occur in cases of drowning, drug overdose, trauma, choking, or witnessed collapse by a child, standard CPR is still recommended.  The current American Heart Association (AHA) guideline CPR requires 2 mouth-to-mouth breaths for every 30 chest compressions.  This compression-to-ventilation ratio now covers all ages except newborns.

The procedure taught by UA Sarver Heart Center and summarized in their one-page handy guide is easy to learn and easy to remember.

If you witness a sudden unexpected collapse in an adult, follow these simple steps:

 

1. Direct someone to call 911 or make the call yourself.

 

2. Position the patient on the floor. Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest with the other hand on top of the first. Lock your elbows and perform forceful chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute. Lift your hands slightly after each push to allow chest to recoil. Take turns with a bystander until paramedics arrive.

 

3. If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, attach it to the patient and follow the machine's voice instructions. Otherwise, keep pumping.

 

REMEMBER: If you just call 911 and do not perform chest compressions, the patient most likely WILL NOT SURVIVE!

 

NOTE: Gasping is not an indication of normal breathing or recovery. Initiate and continue compressions even if patient gasps. For cases of suspected drowning, drug overdose or collapse in children, follow guideline CPR (2 mouth-to-mouth breaths for every 30 chest compressions).

 

Think about it.  If you do nothing and nobody else steps up to help, a life will almost surely be lost.  However, if you summon the courage to help, you might save a life and make a lasting contribution to that person's eternally grateful circle of family and friends.  Continuous Chest Compression CPR lowers the hurdle and encourages everyone to be a lifesaver and a hero.

4:09 AM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

February 16

John McCann's Oatmeal - Steel Cut for Real Men...and Women and Children

What do you get when you combine FatWallet with Amazon Prime?  Trouble, if you ask my wife.  On a recent afternoon, this often combustible combination resulted in the "PS" man, as my daughter likes to call him, dropping 14 pounds of John McCann's Steel Cut Oatmeal on my doorstep.  I lugged the box into the kitchen, and my wife rolled her eyes.

Now I like oatmeal, but 14 pounds exceeds a Sam's-Club-size commitment, and I had not even heard of John McCann's oatmeal before I placed the order.  Amazon sells the oatmeal in 4-packs (7 pounds total).  A minimum order requirement for a coupon code necessitated my 14-pound order.  What set my mind at ease was reading the fervent  customer reviews on Amazon for this product of Ireland.  I wouldn't be surprised if some of the reviewers had John McCann tattoos.  It is only oatmeal, but I never guessed oatmeal could taste so good.  I think Zechristof's review sums it up perfectly.

If you dislike oatmeal made from rolled oats, try this product.  You will like it.  If you like oatmeal made from rolled oats, try this product.  You will LOVE it.

My wife does not like oatmeal.  She now eats this regularly for breakfast with frozen berries mixed in to cool it down.  My 2-year-old does not eat much of anything, but she will stumble out of bed in the morning, rubbing sleep from her eyes and asking for this stuff.  She will usually demand seconds.

I will warn you that cooking steel cut oatmeal takes time (at least 30-40 minutes), but it is easy.  I use a large pot to keep the initial foam from overflowing, and I cook 8-12 servings at a time.  The leftovers go in the fridge for a quick microwave reheat, as needed.

Many  sources document the health benefits of eating oatmeal, such as lower cholesterol.  A recent article on WebMD provides a good overview.  Unfortunately for most of us, knowing what you should eat and eating what you should eat are worlds apart.  John McCann's oatmeal bridges the gap.  A hearty bowl in the morning gives me even energy (nothing but 100% whole grain Irish oats in the can - no sugar added) and easily holds off my hunger until lunch.  On second thought, a John McCann tattoo might not be so bad.  You could do a lot worse.

8:11 AM GMT  |  Read comments(1)

February 11

Free Rosetta Stone - Learn a Foreign Language

My eyes perk up when I see the word free.  If the item or service is really free and it has value, I become fully engaged.  Rosetta Stone offers "the world's No. 1 language-learning software" that retails for hundreds of dollars per each language you want to learn.  How can I possibly get free Rosetta Stone software and still sleep at night?

The answer is simple, perfectly legal, and not well known:  check out your local library's website.  You will need a library card, which many people already have or can obtain for free.  On my library's website, I drilled down through Research & Resources, Databases & Online Collections, and Language Learning & Literacy to find Rosetta Stone.  Register and create a user name and password.  Select a language and start learning.  That's it.  Okay, there's a little more to it than that.  You do have to regularly invest the time to learn, but the free Rosetta Stone online course is available anytime you have a computer with an Internet connection.  My library offers German, English (UK or US), Spanish (Latin America or Spain), French, Russian, Greek, and Italian.  I am currently learning Spanish, and I really like the Dynamic Immersion method employed by Rosetta Stone.

If you cannot find anything on your library's website, send them an e-mail or give them a call.  They might offer Rosetta Stone or something similar (my library also carries Tell Me More and Tumblebooks online) but have them buried on their website under an obscure directory system.  The smaller library systems are less likely to offer online language learning, but you never know until you check.

Adiós y la buena suerte!

4:55 AM GMT  |  Read comments(3)