HEARD IT AND READ IT

Prepared by Bassam Mechammil

January 2008

HEALTH:

The miracle power of nuts: Nuts are among the most healthful foods you can eat. Rich in nutrients, they can help prevent some of the most common and most serious diseases. For example, in a long-running health study conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University, participants were asked what foods they ate most often. Those who ate nuts five or more times a week were about 50% less likely to have a heart attack than those who ate them less than once a week. Many Americans avoid nuts because they want to cut back on fat and calories. It’s true that a single serving of nuts can have 20 grams of fat and 180 to 200 calories, but most of the fats are healthy fats. Americans need to get more, not less, of these healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fat. As long as you limit yourself to a small handful of nuts daily you don’t need to worry about the extra calories. Each type of nut contains a different mix of nutrients, fats, and protective antioxidants, which can neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. People who eat a variety of nuts will get the widest range of benefits. Raw, toasted, or roasted nuts are fine as long as they are unsalted.

All nuts are good for the heart but the following nuts are especially beneficial:

1. Macadamia nuts will lower your LDL cholesterol without lowering your HDL cholesterol.
2. Pistachio nuts will lower your blood pressure.
3. Almonds are rich in calcium that will strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. They contain magnesium and potassium as well, which will both control the relaxation and contraction of blood vessels.
4. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium and are also high in vitamin E, which will both reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
5. Pecans contain antioxidants that will fight free radicals to keep the eyes healthy.
6. Walnuts are one of the best sources of omega-3 which appear to help maintain a healthy brain.

Important findings:

1. Bad events are more memorable than good events. Recent studies found that negative emotions such as fear and sadness increase activity in the part of the brain linked to memories, so bad memories are recalled easily. Positive emotions do not have the same effect; that’s why it makes sense to focus on potentially threatening information to protect against future dangers.
2. Did you ever wonder what keeps the red meat that you use for Khobee-Neeye longer than average? The short answer is Myoglobin, a protein that looks red when it’s blended with oxygen. To keep meat looking rosy, manufactures may pump in some carbon monoxide which sticks to myoglobin like glue, keeping the meat red for weeks. Carbon monoxide is also used to keep tuna looking fresh for a long time.

TAX TIME:

Besides what you usually deduct from your taxes, you may deduct these as well:

1. Accounting fees for tax preparation services and audits for the IRS.
2. Treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse.
3. Appreciation on property donated to charity.
4. Cell-phone used for businesses or to manage your investment.
5. Home computer depreciation if used for businesses.
6. Fees for a safe-deposit box that holds your investments/for businesses.
7. Gambling losses, provided that you have gambling winnings.
8. Investment advisory fees.
9. Mortgage pre-payments, penalties, and fees.
10. The cost of worthless stock and securities.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS TO BE KEPT:

1. Canceled checks generally for seven years to support your tax filing.
2. Personal and state tax return documents for seven years.
3. Loan documents until you repay the loan.
4. Product receipts until your warranty is expired.
5. The 401 K statements until you get a new one.
6. Bank statements up to seven years.

LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES:

Ranking of "1" is Most Dangerous; "50" is Safest

STATE	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994
Alabama	17	18	19	18	20	17	19	21	19	20	21	23	20	16
Alaska	7	9	8	12	8	11	5	13	11	13	10	12	14	24
Arizona	3	4	3	3	3	5	7	7	8	9	6	5	7	9
Arkansas	13	15	22	25	23	22	25	22	20	23	25	25	26	30
California	9	10	10	10	12	13	17	12	10	7	5	6	8	6
Colorado	22	22	24	24	25	30	26	26	31	29	31	21	18	20
Connecticut	40	39	39	39	36	37	37	34	35	32	32	30	36	31
Delaware	18	24	15	20	19	12	10	11	17	18	16	33	12	21
Florida	8	7	6	7	4	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	5
Georgia	20	13	13	17	15	16	13	14	14	12	17	15	21	11
Hawaii	28	26	25	23	26	28	33	35	29	31	29	27	30	28
Idaho	39	40	41	40	42	46	42	40	41	41	40	38	35	39
Illinois	21	19	16	13	13	10	11	9	9	10	8	8	5	4
Indiana	25	28	27	26	24	26	24	25	24	26	27	29	31	25
Iowa	43	43	43	42	43	44	43	42	42	44	42	45	45	48
Kansas	27	25	26	31	28	23	23	27	28	30	31	26	23	15
Kentucky	34	33	37	36	35	35	38	39	37	38	37	34	44	42
Louisiana	10	2	2	2	1	1	4	4	3	1