Since we are in another polar plunge here in Chicago, I have been visiting with my friends at the Today Show at the gym A LOT. Yesterday morning, they had a segment that I found interesting, and a bit alarming, called “the germiest places in your home revealed.” These are the “surprisingly dirty places” in your home. Sarah Humphries from Real Simple Magazine visits with Tamron Hall and Willie Geist. They show the three unexpected culprits in each major room. Who knew that your coffee pot, dog food bowl and the handles on, um, everything could be so bad? Also, they tell us not to touch remote controls in hotels as this is the dirtiest/most bacteria covered item in a hotel. Ugh. So now I am on a cleaning spree. Here is the segment if you dare:
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Speaking of germy stuff, my friend Tracy, who happens to be an Infectious Disease Specialist in NJ, posted this article from the Huffington Post: This Will Make You Never, Ever Want to Put a Lemon Wedge in Your Water Again. Womp. Womp. I did find this piece of the article to be somewhat heartening:
“Germaphobe lemon lovers might opt to squeeze the juice directly into the water instead of letting the wedge float about for the duration of a meal — doing so will reduce exposure, though not eliminate it, as Tierno points out that even the flesh of the lemon can be contaminated.
But before you freak out, here’s some perspective: His research has turned up similar organisms all over restaurants, from ketchup bottles and salt and pepper shakers to menus and table surfaces. And the same likely goes for a variety of other drink garnishes, including onions, limes and your cherry on top. Aside from basic hygiene, like hand washing and choosing a clean restaurant, sometimes you really do have to trust your immune system to do its job. “Microbes are ubiquitous … You’re not going to escape unscathed forever,” he says. “You do your best to prevent unnecessary illness.’”
If you are ready to be really freaked out, check out this infographic called Your Dirty Habits Make Me Sick. Here is a sample:
Don’t despair! Here are some tips for making the germiest spots cleaner and safer for you and your family from Mother Earth, Fitsugar and Oprah. I don’t know about you, but I feel better already.
OK, clean off your keyboard with a disinfectant wipe and move on to these awesome deals!
- Get $15 off of your $50 purchase at Bliss through Valentine’s Day with code 15VDAY.
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- Get a New York Magazine subscription for $5.99/year from Discount Mags. That’s $0.14/issue. (And then send them to me… I love that magazine but I get too many and I no longer live in NYC!)
- Valentine’s Day Special! Get 15% off at AHAlife.com with promo code VDAY2014 (Valid until 2/15 midnight PST)
or get $20 Credit On Your First Order $100+
on curated “creative and inspired” items at AHALife.
- Buy a dozen Crown Majesty Roses and get one dozen free at OrganicBouquet.com
or save 20% site wide! on eco-elegant gifts at OrganicBouquet.com!
- Get 20% off on select items at ModCloth in their Most Loved Sale.
- Need some cute workout wear to help with those New Year’s Resolutions? Get 20% off at Ellie or 50% off your first outfit and free shipping from Kate Hudson’s Fabletics.
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That’s all for now! Hopefully, the arctic chill will pass so I won’t be trolling the internet finding more scary, germy info!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways: blog hop, PB & Co Cookbook/peanut butter and Platinum Performance!