CasaSugar

DrSugar Answers: Weather and Colds

DrSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:30:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I have a friend who lives in the warm suburb of Fairfield, CA, and commutes to foggier, colder San Francisco every day. She is wondering if the daily climate switch from hot and dry weather to the foggy cold is making her sick, or at least more vulnerable to cold and flu? I am curious too. Is it a myth?
– Friend of Sniffles

To see what DrSugar has to say about the connection between abrupt and drastic changes in the weather and the common cold,

read more. It is a common misconception that cold weather can cause the common cold or flu. The common cold is caused by a virus and has never been shown to be related to exposure to cold weather or wet weather. The idea that cold weather itself leads to colds is likely related to the observation that people get viral illnesses more often in the Winter. Health officials and epidemiologists believe that viral illnesses are more common in the Winter because they are highly contagious and people are often in closer indoor contact in the Winter months. When you were young Dr. Mom always said, “Put on a sweater or you’ll catch a cold.” She would have been more correct to say, “Don’t go to school or you’ll catch a cold.” Wouldn't that have been great? The temperature difference between the warmer, dryer climate of Fairfield and foggy Summers of San Francisco is unlikely to have anything to do with her increasing frequency of illness. However, there are a number of other factors that could contribute to her getting sick more often. If this is a new job in the city, it could be related to new exposure to large groups of people in close quarters, i.e. an office environment. Also, new jobs and long commutes can increase stress levels, which can weaken the immune system. The other possibility is that she is allergic to molds or pollens in San Francisco that are less prevalent in her home city. In summary, there could be a number of things making her sick more often, but that actual climate change is an unlikely culprit. If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Casa Quickie: Eco-Color Theory

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:00:09 PDT

Ever remember burning your bare feet on a black top in the Summer as a kid? The black color of the paved surface absorbs the light particles that it hits, exciting the pavement's particles, making the black surface warmer because its particles are moving faster. Contrarily, white surfaces reflect light, so they are cooler. So for those of you living in a warm climate, think about painting your home light colors, which will absorb less light, meaning less need for turning on that a/c. And, those of you living in a cold climate should think about painting your home darker colors, which will absorb the light, meaning less need for turning on your heater! Maybe Orlando Bloom should consider repainting his black house, and I should alter my poll to read "Chicken or the Egg or the Climate"?
Source

Love Your Laptop: 8 Tips For Keeping it Healthy and Happy

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:23:02 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be about giving affection to your significant other. It can be about showing your appreciation for the people and things that make your life awesome. Take your laptop, for example. Your window to the vast Internet, your laptop works really hard for you without asking much in return. Give your laptop a little TLC this Valentine's Day with these tips that will keep it happy and healthy all year long.

Clean it up - Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or a portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.
Practice proper shutdown habits - Shutting down all open programs and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport. But if you've had your laptop in a cold environment, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Protect your investment - If you're going to be lugging a laptop around, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

Fashion Week SOS - 15 Chic Winter Add-ons For the Weather Unknown

Marisa Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:39:15 PST

If there's one thing we can predict about seasonal style, it's that it's totally unpredictable. Case in point: New York Fashion Week kicked off on Thursday with a mild Winter climate to dress for, and this morning, freezing temps and flurries of snow prevailed. With one mission in mind - keep our wardrobe warm and cool - we've culled 15 quick style fixes for whatever Winter throws our way. Think stylish snoods, chunky knit scarves, and plush fur hats for starters; just click below to see our favorite seasonal saviors now.

A Little Love Goes a Long Way: Basic French Macarons

Sara Yoo — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:00:30 PST

Perhaps it's the rainbow of cheerful hues, the adorable two-bite size, or - most likely - the perfect crisp-chewy texture, but I just can't get enough of French macarons. Even when I'm stuffed to the gills, I can always make room for these tiny, delicate pastries.

True, macarons can be temperamental (meringue is the capricious culprit), but they do respond wonderfully to patience, encouragement, and a loving touch. So before you dismiss the idea of making these little lovelies at home, we've found a basic recipe that breaks down the uncooperative veneer of the elusive macaron.

Although part of the same happy pastry family, the French macaron should not be confused with the coconut macaroon. They are similar in concept, but differ greatly in execution: while both entail adding dry ingredients to a delicate egg white meringue, the one "o" macaron uses finely ground almonds as its base and requires much more gentle handling.

Much like a first date, there's a good chance that your first batch could end awkwardly. As in love, you simply pick yourself up and try again. Once you begin to understand the macaron's nature - its singular texture, its response to your oven, its personality in your climate - suddenly it's like the realization that you both enjoy the same rom-com movies and takeout Chinese: everything just works.

Ready for the challenge? Read on for the recipe.

Kate Hudson Pops Up in a Bikini on a Mexican Vacation With Matthew Bellamy

Lauren Turner — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:23:40 PST

Kate Hudson flaunted her bikini body poolside in Mexico yesterday. She's vacationing with fiancé Matthew Bellamy, who lounged in his bathrobe and sipped on a cold drink. Bingham and Ryder weren't spotted with Kate and Matthew, who chatted on the patio. It's been less than a year since Kate gave birth to baby Bingham, though she already slipped into a bikini last Sept., just two months after welcoming her second son into the world. It looks like the mom of two is enjoying the Cabo sun after spending much of the Winter in colder climates like London and Aspen. The vacation is almost over for Kate, since she's set to star in a new movie titled Everly, which will start filming this Spring.

See Prince William and Kate With Their New Cocker Spaniel

Allie Merriam — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:49:45 PST

Prince William and Kate Middleton took their new puppy for a stroll in Wales last week. The family of three took a walk along water in their current hometown of Angelsey. It was the first time the Cocker Spaniel was seen with William and Kate, and palace officials have since confirmed that the dog is, in fact, theirs. A spokesperson said the spaniel is "a few months old" and came from "a close family connection." William and Kate were able to enjoy a warmer climate recently, though. They went on vacation with her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, to the island of Mustique. Pippa and James Middleton went along as well. The getaway came before William is due to head off this evening on tour of duty in the Falkland Islands as a member of the Royal Air Force - to mark his mission, take a look at the best pictures of Prince William in uniform.

5 Reasons Not to Skip Winter Farmers Markets

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:24:23 PST

I know, it's really cold outside. But the shift in weather is no excuse to shift your diet away from local, sustainable, fresh food! You may not get to wear shorts and a tank, but making a trip to a farmers market is just as productive an excursion in the cooler months as it is in the hot Summer sun. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Here are five reasons you shouldn't skip farmers markets in the Winter.

A little green goes a long way. While the chilly weather and lack of sunshine is bound to affect your mood, you'll be feeling recharged after you head to a farmers market, in all of its colorful Winter splendor. As I've said to myself: a little green goes a long way amid all the gray.
Try out new fruits and veggies. Even if the farmers market doesn't have what I'm looking for, it always proves to be a great experience: you're forced to think outside your typical box and pull for fruits and vegetables you might not have been exposed to before. If you've moved to a new city or are living in a different climate, getting to a farmers market is an awesome way to see what your new region has to offer your taste buds. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your new favorite nosh.

Keep reading for three more reasons why you shouldn't skip Winter markets.

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber Bring Their Boys Back to Australia

Mackenzie Wagoner — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:39:08 PST

Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber touched down in Sydney yesterday with their sons Samuel and Sasha. She was decked out in a hat and sunglasses, ready to trade the wintery climate of NYC for the Australian Summer. Naomi and Liev haven't made the rounds this award season, though her J. Edgar did get some love at various shows. However, some were shocked when her leading man Leonardo DiCaprio wasn't named among the best actor contenders during yesterday's Oscar nominations. Naomi will enjoy a break before starting her next project, a controversial film with Robin Wright called The Grandmothers.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Show Love at a Movie Date

Allie Merriam — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:27:25 PST

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux held hands yesterday when they walked out of a movie theater in LA. Both Jen and Justin have been laying low on the West Coast for a few weeks, ever since they wrapped up a holiday vacation in Colorado. New Year's Eve usually calls Jennifer - and her bikini - down to Cabo, but she decided to switch things up and vacation in a colder climate to see in 2012. Jen and Justin have even been selective about their socializing, and have been photographed rarely so far this year. They did, though, step out for a screening of HBO's Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory with Orlando Bloom recently. The downtime should be good for Jen and Justin before they start a press tour for their next movie. Wanderlust, which is directed by David Wain and stars Justin and Jen, comes out on Feb 24.

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