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Asthma Pod: Why This 'Pod' Craze Has Gone Too Far

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:01:33 PDT

We already knew the "i" craze had passed the point of no return, but it looks like "pod" mania may be gaining speed in the race.

Yesterday I learned about the Apod, or Asthma Pod, which is a colorful plastic case that clips around your standard asthma inhaler. They cost about $20 (or £10 because it's a British company) and come in 7 colors. So why am I so bent out of shape? For the most part the devices are cute, brightly hued plastic that will hopefully make asthmatic children everywhere feel better about their illness, however, the name alone makes me worry and wonder about the day the "pod" epidemic will end.

From the Laserpod, "pod" Hotels to EnergyPods for midday napping, there really is no logic to the over usage of the word "pod," which sprang to popularity with the lionization of the iPod. Will three out of five plastic items that are shaped like a bean or iPod be labeled "i-something" or "pod" from here until eternity? Will we wake up one morning and find out "pods" are suddenly as uncool as Walkmans? Most importantly, when will it end?

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Annatto: It's in My Food, But What is it?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:13:00 PST

Since I am a major health nut, I always read labels before I buy food. I often see the ingredient Annatto listed on packages, so what is it?

It's a natural food coloring made from the ground up seed pods of - surprise, surprise - the annatto tree, which grows in Central and South America. It is also called the Achiote tree. After this tree flowers, it produces hairy pods that turn blackish-brown when ripe.

Annatto adds color to cheese, butter, margarine, rice, smoked fish, and microwave popcorn. It is often used as a substitute for the expensive herb saffron.

It also has antioxidants. I guess that doesn't really matter since you only ingest a small amount, but hey, it's better than nothing.

Well now I feel much better knowing Annatto really is an all natural food coloring. Much better than Red 40.

Steve Jobs Honored With Grammy

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:01:01 PST

Steve Jobs was honored with the Trustees Award at last night's 2012 Grammys for his contributions to the music industry and his role in creating the iPod and iTunes, which helped shape the music industry as we know it today. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet software and services accepted the award on behalf of Steve last night. In case you missed it, check out his speech below.

The FunPod: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kate Stahl — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:33:32 PST

I love that my 10-month-old loves watching me in the kitchen. From her highchair, she will happily stuff her face with puffs and blueberries while I chop, mix, prep, and even empty the dishwasher. I've never considered that she might soon need a more interactive kitchen experience, but after seeing The FunPod from Luca & Company, I'm reconsidering. The unique kid product, developed by a mom from England, keeps your child in a safe spot - away from electrical and hot appliances - while you go about your kitchen business, but it also allows them to easily see what you're doing and even help. The pod is adjustable, with five settings to keep it at chest level for 12-month-olds to 5-year-olds.

The FunPod isn't cheap (buy it through BabyEarth for $190), but it's won multiple awards and has a loyal following. So would you invest in a FunPod for your lil one? Weigh in below.

5 Ways to Outfit Your iPods For Outdoor Workouts

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 03:06:37 PDT

Attention gym rats: chugging it out on the treadmill every day may be good for your weekly mileage goals, but taking your workout outdoors will bust you out of plateaus and clear your mind of the Winter blues. If like me, you need some tunes to help you through a sweat session, grab your iPod and one of these cases to keep you going in the great outdoors.

Guess the Price Tag!

GeekSugar — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:57:35 PDT

Turning your iPod Nano into a wristwatch is nothing new, but ZShock is taking things to new heights with the diamond-encrusted LunaTik iPod Nano case. BGR recently ordered its own custom creation (which can include different metals, colors, and diamonds) and says each wristwatch takes about a month to craft. That should give you some time to save up the dough to pay for it. Can you guess how much this custom job costs?

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Lighten Your Cellphone Bill by Texting For Free

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:11:25 PST

People love the word "free," and cell phone addicts especially love the word "text." However, mobile phone services love to raise data service prices, and if you aren't careful about sticking to your service plan, you can find yourself outraged by the additional charges. Luckily, several companies have created ways to bypass the whole pay-for-texting situation. Here are six messaging services you must try.

iMessage – All iOS 5 users can send unlimited text messages with Wi-Fi or 3G from the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to anyone else that also uses those devices. The service is already built into the messages app, and like iChat, you can even see when someone else is typing you back (if you are urgently awaiting their reply).
BlackBerry Messenger – Send and receive messages using your BlackBerry; see when your messages are read; and know when your contacts are typing. Intended for BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry communication, you can still text your non-BB friends by adding the contacts to your BBM friends list.
Viber – Text or call (also works internationally) to other Viber users over 3G or WiFi. Viber automatically shows which of your friends has the service; otherwise, simply notify your friends to download it, so you can communicate via Viber.
Text Free – Download this app on the Android Market for free text and picture messaging as well as Facebook chat capability.
Google Voice – Send and receive free text messages using the app, which is available for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Nokia S60.
ChatOn - This new Samsung-powered service allows you to send free messages, group messages, photos, videos, and audio messages to other ChatOn users. Currently, ChatOn is available on Android devices (2.2 and above), but will be rolling out to iOS and BlackBerry soon.

Daily Tech: YouTube Star Brings In Serious Cash

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:40:15 PST

The YouTube star that earns $1 million a year - Newser
NASA sensor could detect cancer and diabetes through a breath reading - Geek.com
Bands that fought traditions of the music industry even before digital downloads - Cracked
New York City Valentine's Day sculpture glows and pulses when touched - Tecca
Motorola's German patent win forces iPhones off the market - Dvice
Do you still need an iPod? -SlashGear

Hot Wrist Straps to Hold Your iPod Nano

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:30:42 PDT

In case you missed it, your new iPod Nano isn't just good for running and playing music - it can also double as a totally chic wristwatch. The iPod Nano watch trend may be cooling off, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy one of these eight awesome designs that will keep you moving and grooving. Check them all out here!

Labor Pains: 7 Ways to Ease the Pain of Labor

BabyCenter — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:37:43 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Nancy Johnson Horn about tips for easing labor pain.

I remember going into labor over 6 years ago with my first child. When my water broke 11 days early I couldn’t remember a thing, other than "pick a focus point on the wall" and breathe.

But there’s more you can do to make labor go a little smoother. Recently, I spoke to Hope Garland, an Affiliated Bradley Instructor, www.blossombirth.net, who recommended these amazing tips. So, if you’re weeks or days away from childbirth - don’t panic, just print out (or bookmark it on your smartphone) this post so you can reference it when you go into labor.

Pack in the protein: If you were about to run a long marathon, would you eat only ice chips? No. You need to eat a protein-rich meal. It will give you the stamina needed for labor (plus many hospitals won’t let you eat once you check in anyway). Make a plan to either keep something in the fridge/freezer/cupboard or know where you can go to get your marathon meal.
Don’t fight gravity: Remain upright as long as possible. Walk around or sit up, but don’t lie on your back. (Yes, that’s really me in the pic, before I found out I should be walking around.)
Hydrate thyself: Pack (and use) a water bottle. If you properly hydrate yourself during labor, you’ll increase your energy output by as much as 30%. Also, if you can keep drinking water, you may not need an IV that will really restrict your mobility. That’s when the ice chips and clear liquids can also help.
Breathe using your abdomen: Normal abdominal breathing increases relaxation, which you’re really going to need. Chest and patterned breathing may fool your body into stress mode, and you don’t want that.
Take a virtual chill pill: You’ve got to stay relaxed. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. If music helps, bring a preloaded playlist on your iPod, locate a focal point in the room and breathe. Banish as much negative energy as possible. While it’s not easy, stay as relaxed as you can through contractions – it will let your body do what it’s supposed to do.
Move around during labor: There are a variety of positions for labor. Try to change positions so you’re not in one place for too long. Speak to the nurse about how you can be monitored and still move around. Bring slippers for those lovely grippy hospital socks so you can walk the halls.
Make sure you have support and loving encouragement: Having your husband, partner, or trained birth partner can make a big difference. That support will do more for you than any amount of medication!

Do you have any tips to make labor a little easier? What did or didn’t work for you?

More great stories from BabyCenter.com:
Quantity or quality time: Which matters more?
Five reasons you need the Origami Stroller - now!
The three greatest dangers for baby are . . .
Seven ways to spread the love this Valentine's Day
What do you say to pushy parents?

Source: Flickr User bradleygee