In a world where winning the rat race--or any other contest that pits one individual against another--is considered a stellar achievement, pop culture analyst Alfie Kohn's No Contest: The Case Against Competition highlights a more enlightened perspective.

The book, which has been controversial since it first came out in 1986, criticizes society's obsession with competition. He cites three very good reasons why our contest-driven mentality isn't really healthy:

1. It divides us. Kohn eloquently argues that our struggle to defeat each other--at work, at school, at play, and at home--turns all of us into losers because we waste our time, resources, and energy in our "fight" against our rivals. Instead, we could have decided to join forces with our competition and accomplish so much more.

2. It corrupts us. Kohn believes that it is not a part of "human nature." In fact, he writes, the fact that most of our workplaces and schools value competitiveness instead of excellence push some people to employ dirty tactics in order to win.

3. It alienates us. "Rather than building character, competition sabotages self-esteem and ruins relationships. It even warps recreation by turning the playing field into a battlefield," states Kohn.

The points that Kohn highlights are worth pondering on. Reading the book also had me recalling a quip made by comedienne Lily Tomlin: "Remember, young people, even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat."

Lately I've been worried over what to blog about. (Chalk it up to my brain going fuzzy from decongestants.) But then a friend gave me a link to an article discussing the results of a 2005 AOL survey done by Digital Marketing Services Inc. and I found myself energized.

Support Group
A total of 600 bloggers--men and women aged 18 and above--participated in the survey.

About 48 percent of the bloggers revealed that they kept a blog because "it serves as a form of therapy" while around 40 percent stated that blogging "helps them keep in touch with family and friends."

Bill Schreiner, Vice President and General Manager of Community Programming for America Online, observed: "In a way, blogs serve as oral history. When it comes to sharing blogs and reading other people's blogs, we like to connect with people, learn about their lives, and find common ground."

Empowering Trend
An inspiring CNN article affirms blogging's therapeutic benefits. In it, journalist Anna Jane Grossman cites the results of the polls done by the Pew Internet and American Life Project in 2006. The results revealed that "roughly 12 million Americans have blogs...and many seem to use them as a form of group therapy."

Grossman goes on to highlight bloggers who have used blogging to help them come to terms with life-changing tragedies.

Indeed, many blogs have transformed into informal support groups. They range from the low-key Everyone Needs Therapy to the bold and busy TreeHugger.

Blogs like these serve to inspire others to come up with sites that have an impact and can also hopefully make a difference in other people's lives.

Yes, there's room for fun posts. But I think if there's an opportunity to do good through one's blog, one should use it.

I recently cleaned up my apartment (for real) and I was amazed at the amount of paper I had accumulated in a little over a year. Though I'm a big fan of paper products, the frightening sight of three garbage bags loaded with paper got me thinking about going paperless.

Sometime ago, Microsoft bigwig Bill Gates caused a fuss when he declared that his office was 90 percent paperless. In the same Fortune magazine interview, he emphasized that losing the paper trail had a "great impact on productivity."

I may have dismissed his anti-paper drive when he first came out with it, but I'm checking out his tips now:

1. Make room for your desktop. Gates claims that his actual desktop is free of clutter. How does he do this? Well, he's got his workload segregated on three computer screens. According to John Peddie Research, Gates' multi-screen technique increases productivity by 20 to 30 percent--as having multiple screens saves you from window switching and resizing.

Then again, not everyone can afford having multiple screens on their desk. In lieu of actual computer screens, you can do it better than Gates by using virtual desktops that segregate work into different workspaces. Sounds complex? Not at all. Just download Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop Manager (Windows XP) or VirtueDesktops (Mac OS X).

2. Use email to get things done. Utilize the free online storage space that comes with your email to keep important documents handy wherever you go. Likewise, you could get rid of the avalanche of Post-Its by using your email as a virtual calendar or planner through free web-based services like Yahoo! Calendar and Windows Live Calendar.

3. Make your email sift itself. Gates is all for filtering emails. We oftentimes receive emails less important than others. These less priority mails steal our attention from the task at hand. They can be filtered to be read at a later time so that our focus remains on the task we have at the moment. For Yahoo! Mail, for instance, there is the filter management page.

Knowing where these tips come from, I'm certainly considering them very seriously. I guess curbing my paper obsession is a small price to pay in order to fire up my productivity. To make sure that Gates had it right, I'll keep track of my paperless progress through the Daily Target Praxis.

Credits: Image of ergonomic desk courtesy of Spacify.com.

A week ago, I started reading Marisha Pessl's novel, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, which I had borrowed from my workmate, Meg. I was really getting into the novel when a crisp $10 bill floated out from between the book's pages.

Out-of-the-Box Savings
Bemused, I tucked it back in the first page and finished reading the novel. Later when I returned the book, I told Meg what I'd found.

She shrugged and admitted that she used whatever came handy as a bookmark. A photo, or her shopping list... Sometimes it would be whatever bill she had on her at the time.

Knowing that she was a proud bookworm, I became curious about just how much money we would actually find hiding in her bookshelf. I was amazed to learn that her "book deposits" added up to about $800 last year.

"It's not hard to save up when you think you're not doing it," Meg told me. "Some of my friends think I'm nuts to stash bills into my books. But, hey, I had an extra $800 last year. That's not bad at all."

Hidden Rewards
Meg's financial philosophy--if you can call it that--is echoed by Walter Updegrave, author of How to Retire Rich in a Totally Changed World: Why You're Not in Kansas Anymore. As such, he lists the ways through which we can "fool" ourselves into saving money:

1. Hide the Money. Money you don't see is likely money you won't spend. Updegrave suggests signing up for an automatic investment plan. This service is actually offered by most mutual fund companies. Once set-up, money will be automatically transferred from your checking account to your chosen mutual fund.

2. Stash unexpected windfalls. Instead of spending your refunds or rebates, deposit them into your savings account as soon as you receive them. You might be surprised how much you will end up saving this way.

3. Keep paying off a debt--even after you've completed payments. Once you're done paying off your debts, keep writing checks you can deposit to your investment or savings account. Since you're so accustomed to paying this amount off anyway, this "extra" money can go a long way towards helping you achieve your financial goals.

Small Start, Big Rewards
Updegrave's (and Meg's) advice gives me some hope. You see, I'm not too strong in the savings department. I really need to figure out what kind of saving strategy will work for me. Fooling myself into saving my cash may be the answer to my dilemma.

For starters, I'm now off to empty out my coin jar. Since I don't spend the spare change, I'm hoping that there's at least a $20 in there. Hopefully, this would be start of a habit that would give me the best reward of all: financial management smarts. Because I sure need it. (Or maybe I really just ought to re-read Simpleology 102's the First Law of Money: The Law of Input and Output.)

Credits: Photo by Petr Kratochvil, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

When Mark Joyner interviewed me way back in May, one of the questions he asked was why I had resigned from my previous jobs. I simply said, "I didn't feel I'd be learning anything more if I had stayed."

Play Nice
My answer to Mark's question was true but--as anyone who's worked in several companies will tell you--there are bosses who treat you as if you were less than human.

Still, I bit my tongue to keep from saying anything that'd make Mark think I'd badmouth bosses and workmates every chance I get.

Yes, there were a couple of places I worked in that "traumatized" me, but thank God I listened to my dad advice to always be a gentleman when you hand in your resignation notice. "Don't burn bridges," he told me years ago, when I quit working for a newspaper.

That has proven to be one good advice.

Burn Notice
I wish, though, that other people would heed my dad's advice.

Just the other day, my friend Dan was all puffed up with pride about causing a fuss on his last day at his old office. Things had gotten so bad there that all he could think of was how lucky he was to be getting out. When five o'clock struck, he actually fist-pumped a triumphant "Yes!" as he walked past his co-workers' desks.

Of course, I congratulated him on his new-found freedom, but I couldn't help but think that it wasn't very wise of him to have done something that may have completely burned his bridges. His is a very specialized industry and it was likely he'd be running into his former bosses and colleagues in the future.

Resign Right
So, is there really is a right way to make a graceful exit from a job? Here's what career management expert Karyl Innis, CEO of The Innis Company, has to say:

1. Do it in person. Innis says it's best to pick a time when your boss is alone and isn't busy. She adds, "Bring your letter of resignation with you and explain that you have something important to discuss. Then hand her the letter and explain what's in it--that you're resigning and when your last day will be." Innis suggests giving at least two weeks' notice.

2. Don't whine. "People tend to discount the views of departing employees who haven't spoken up previously," says Innis. You might just come across as sourgraping or bitter.

3. Watch your email. Once it's known at the office that you're leaving, be careful what you tell others... especially over email. Your message will be very easy to forward and might even... gasp!... reach the CEO's inbox.

4. Do a proper turnover. Make sure to tie up any loose ends. You'll leave a good impression if all documentation or files are in order, with a memo explaining the status of your projects and anything else the person taking over will need to know.

5. Say thank you. No matter why you're leaving, keep your goodbye's friendly. You don't have to concoct an elaborate tale, but a simple "thanks for the opportunity" or "I learned a lot here" will go a long way.

If you're leaving the company anyway, why put in all this effort, you ask? Well, your old boss may actually know your next one or... you never know, you may even find yourself back in the same company again. If that's the case, their last impression of you can be just as important as the first.

Like my dad said, "Don't burn bridges." Take his advice. I'm sure glad I did because it eventually led me to a job that makes me happy. How? A former workmate whom I had stayed in touch with had given me the tip about the job opening. Now, I'm enjoying working with people who don't feel the need to play dirty to get ahead. (Plus, I have a boss whom I can needle when his favorite basketball team loses to mine.)

If you think you're already getting enough fiber if you take in the recommended 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day...you're in for a shock--albeit a pleasant one. Experts are now saying that more is better.

Get More
A study by Harvard researchers, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that heart disease can be slashed by 10 to 30 percent for each 10 grams of fiber you eat a day. Delicious fiber-rich treats include oatmeal (4.1 grams per cup), apples (3 grams each), and black beans (14.4 grams per cup).

Thus, the more fiber you get, the more your heart is protected.

"Fiber--found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and cereals--has long been shown to reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol," states Los Angeles-based health and fitness writer Steve Stiefel in "Fiber Fantastic."

Various Sources
There are two primary types of fiber: soluble (water-soluble) and insoluble.

You can get soluble fiber from all sorts of fruits, oats, barley, legumes, and root crops. Soluble fiber encourages the growth of healthy bacteria that aid in digestion.

Meanwhile, insoluble fiber is the "crunchy" kind of fiber. You can get this from whole wheat, brans, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables (such as celery and green beans). They pass from one end of the digestive tract to the other end virtually unchanged. This type of fiber does "a clean sweep" of your digestive tract.

Multifunctional Health
Aside from improving colon function, fiber also has other roles:

1. It improves protein absorption. Since fiber slows down the rate at which proteins move through the digestive tract, your body is able to maximize its protein absorption capabilities. This will help you build more muscle.

2. Fiber curbs weight gain and cholesterol levels. "When you slow down digestion, especially of carbs, the body is able to metabolize them more efficiently," says health and fitness expert Jeff Feliciano. "Soluble fiber helps carbohydrates to be used for [energy production] rather than to be stored as body fat." The slow delivery of carbs into the bloodstream keeps insulin levels from spiking too high, which is another way that fiber prevents the storage of fat." Plus, fiber can trap bile acids that might otherwise be absorbed and converted into cholesterol.

3. Fiber builds immunity. "By providing your body with plenty of fiber, you help it remove harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens that may otherwise enter your body," notes Feliciano.

Slowly but Surely
If you're not currently eating as much fiber as you should, Feliciano advises that you increase your consumption gradually, adding two to three grams per day each week.

Thus, he suggests, if your current fiber intake is at 10 grams per day, you should begin taking in 12 grams on Week 1, 14 grams on Week 2, 16 grams on Week 3...and so on...until your daily intake is at 30 grams or more. At the same time, increase your water consumption since fiber works more effectively with liquids.

By taking in more fiber, you increase your chances of staying healthy at all times. Moreover, you also get to eat the right kinds of food to energize you.

Credits: Photo by Scott Bauer, courtesy of the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

No matter how happy your workplace is, there will be days when the pressure's on and you find yourself barely breathing. You end up not being able express your thoughts clearly, skipping lunch, snapping at your workmates over petty things, or, worse, having a meltdown.

You don't have to see a psychiatrist to find out if you're going nuts. All you have to do is learn some do-it-yourself stress management tips. Here are three moves you can do right at your desk:

Press pause. When you're juggling too many things, your communication skills take a dive. But don't overcompensate for your temporary "blank brain" by saying too much. To make your point at work, try talking less. "Speak concisely, then stop," says Molly Dickson Shepard, author of Stop Whining and Start Winning. "Silence allows your message to resonate."

Laugh Attack. If you're right in the thick of a make-or-break work project, take time to trade jokes with a friend or view some funny video clips. A few moments of laughter can do wonders for your disposition and your productivity. Laughter has a way of renewing your spirit.

Mail Cheer. The most productive people know when to take short breaks. In a study cited by Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, office workers who respond to e-mails from friends and family while working on stressful tasks may be productive in the long run. Taking short breaks alleviates boredom and lifts energy.

These three stress-busting moves certainly don't require much. Hopefully, they'll inspire every stressed-out person to manage the stress levels at work before they get out of hand.

When all else fails, happy dance music may just save the day.

Sound Medicine
Calling in sick for the past couple of days has made me realize that popping pills isn't the ultimate cure-all. (Ah! Such irony! I get hit by the flu right after blogging about going to the doctor.)

In this case, all my dear dad said was: "Sometimes all you need to do is rest."

But how about listening to a cheery dance beat to bounce back from a bug?

Upbeat Tunes
Yes, that's right. A dose of infectious dance floor favorites like the cheesy "Macarena" and even classic waltz melodies may just be what you need to fight off the flu and other maladies.

In separate studies, scientists from the UK-based Sussex University and the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany discovered that listening to approximately "50 minutes of uplifting dance music increases your levels of antibodies."

Apparently, after listening to dance-worthy ditties, the subjects' levels of the antibody immunoglobin A were heightened. This was welcome information as immunoglobulin A is the immune system's first line of defense against any threat of infection.

Stress-Busting Melodies
Aside from keeping you healthy, a dose of dance music can reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Dr. Ronny Enk, a neurocognition expert who led the Max Planck Institute research team, explains: "We think the pleasant state that can be induced by music leads to special physiological changes which eventually lead to stress reduction or direct immune enhancement."

In any case, Dr. Enk emphasized that they "did not use relaxing music, but rather exciting music that were joyful dance tunes from different centuries."

Musical Therapy
With such groundbreaking studies about the effects of music on people's psychological wellness, musicians today are more likely to explore this facet of their craft.

Though they don't have a Hot 100 list yet, music created for therapeutic purposes is a growing industry. Indeed, most music therapists promote their tunes online in the hope of enlightening more people about music playing a part in healing people's minds and bodies.

But one thing's for sure...it was not the "Macarena" that made me feel better. I think it was Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear" that did it.

Credits: Photo by Vojko Kalan, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

Since my dad happens to be a doctor, it took some time before I realized that some people are actually intimidated by routine check-ups. For my siblings and me, all we had to do was go to dad.

Anyhow, now I know that most people easily feel rushed or suddenly feel self-conscious when they finally get 10 minutes with the doctor. Because of this, many of them fail to make the most out of their visit.

Here are five points you have to remember when you're stopping by the doctor's for your check-up:

1. Put it in writing. "Keep a symptom diary," advises Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher, author of Your Doctor Said What? Exposing the Communication Gap. She adds: "You may think you can remember everything," says Wurzbacher, "Be specific. Explain that it all began with belly pain, and then you developed diarrhea, and so on."

2. Come clean. In the TV show, House, the cantankerous lead character, Dr. Gregory House believes that "everybody lies." Indeed, most people purposely don't tell their doctor about their unhealthy habits such as smoking and self-medication. In routine visits, you have to be proactive about disclosing your vices to your doc.

3. Read it. Heard all those jokes about doctors having horrible handwriting? Well, not being able to read your doc's penmanship isn't really a laughing matter. If you can't decipher what he's scribbled, then the pharmacist probably won't be able to either. You have every right to ask your doctor to rewrite his prescription if this happens.

4. Ask for Plan B. If you're apprehensive about things that your doctor is suggesting or a diagnosis, ask him if there are other alternatives or if you can go to another doctor. You're well within your rights as a patient when you ask him to refer you to another professional who could give you a second opinion.

5. Plot out the future. Don't leave your doc's office without knowing what will happen next--especially if he's instructed you to take note of certain symptoms or when he's prescribed you some medication.

By being a good patient, you help your doctor take care of your health. This way, you take an active part in preventive medicine by doing due diligence on your own body.

I don't know about what goes on in other homes on Sundays--it's always been the designated "lazy day" at our house. I've carried over this Jones family tradition to my own place--a little bit too much I guess.

For the past couple of weeks, I've used Sunday as an excuse to go for greasy fastfood because I'm too lazy to cook. Well, that's obviously not doing me any good, so I figured I'd stock up on healthy snacks that are easy to prepare.

Here are my top three quick-snack fixes:

1. Raisins. Raisins strengthen teeth. Forget their rep as cavity causers. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago isolated raisins' phytonutrients and found compounds that can thwart bacteria growth that leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Oysters. Oysters power your lungs. Tire easily on the treadmill? You may be dragging because you're low on zinc, experts at the USDA's Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Centers in North Dakota say. Zinc helps your lungs expel carbon dioxide. "When your body's zinc levels are low, your cardiovascular fitness takes a dive," explains study author Dr. Hank Lukaski. Get fresh oysters to be sure that you get prime zinc and so you can eat them the simplest way possible: raw. Just squeeze lemon juice on them and sprinkle a few grains of salt.

3. Potatoes. Potatoes are good for your heart. This root crop contains kukoamines, chemicals that can lower your blood pressure. Poke the raw potato with a fork, then nuke it on high for five minutes or until tender. Then, you can put a little bit of butter on it.

With these easy treats on my list of options, "shaping up" my Sunday menu doesn't seem so impossible anymore. I guess I was just too lazy to think of them before. Or, perhaps, I just felt lazy because I didn't eat food that would give me energy.

These days, shopping online has become a way of life for a good number of people. That's no surprise. Apparently, the joys of getting "retail therapy" while in your pajamas is irresistible.

Hot Sites
Sites such as eBay and Craigslist are at the forefront of the online shopping industry. These sites--along with a host of others--hold various auctions that promise users the very best bargains for a gamut of products.

There is no doubt that the advent of online shopping has been very beneficial--especially to small businesses owners who don't want to be hobbled by overhead costs.

But, of course, there's a flip side to this flourishing economy.

Criminal Minds
"Con artists are alive and well on the Web, working a wide variety of scams on people who use online sites to buy and sell goods," warns Matthew Weinberger in "Online Crooks Never Stop Trying to Rip You Off."

Weinberger goes on to list the most common rip-off scenarios online:

1. Shill Deal
A scammer will sign up for an online shopping site and then post an item for auction. Then, using bogus accounts, he himself will keep bidding on the said item to drive up its price to an inflated amount. This act is called shill bidding. Buyers will be tricked into thinking that the item is sought-after.

2. Second Chance Scheme
After an auction for a big-ticket item--such as a car--scam artists track down second and third place bidders. They will then offer the runner-up bidders same product at a reduced price. In reality, they don't actually have the item. Thus, they ask for payment upfront and then disappear.

3. Escrow Fraud
A "seller" will tell you to put money into an online escrow account, which functions like a savings account. The account is tapped as a measure to prevent fraud on the part of buyers and sellers who are geographically distant. Thus, the scammer tells you to deposit to a fake escrow service that he himself runs. You'll never see your money again or any merchandise. (Check out Escrow.com for tips on how to identify fraudulent escrow sites.)

4. Fake Fronts
Posing as sellers, scam artists pass off counterfeit stuff as genuine merchandise. For instance, there have been buyers who receive knock-off versions of sports apparel and pirated software.

5. Shipping Surprise
Scammers who charge $20 for shipping a $5 book have victimized some unfortunate buyers. They often claim that the astronomical shipping cost was included in the fine print of the auction notice.

Safe Surfing
It pays to be cautious when it comes to spending money online. In any case, reputable sites such as eBay and Craigslist usually offer some type of insurance for deals gone wrong. But, they're not responsible for policing each and every transaction that happens on their sites.

To be on the safe side, do intensive research before you make a purchase. After all, despite the presence of criminal elements on the Web, there are still many online companies that give honest-to-goodness service and deliver products as promised.

When it comes to working to get fit, sometimes all you need is common sense to help you attain your goal. Just eat the right food to energize your body and do some form of exercise regularly.

Fitness Frenzy
Even so, there are those who view getting in shape as a mentally and physically exhausting task. Relax. Fighting excess fat isn't as difficult as you think.

So, don't make yourself miserable by obsessively counting calories or hoarding fat-burning gadgets that guarantee overnight results. Likewise, hold off on buying the latest books about the fad diet of the moment. Save your money and strengthen your resolve to cut out the fat from your diet.

Fighting Simply
To show you how you can chuck fat painlessly, check out these three super simple ways to do it:

1. Keep it single. According to a study done at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, people who correctly identified standard portion sizes for certain foods, such as chicken nuggets and cheese, still ate 40 to 75 percent more than that amount. The sight of food was enough to make them forget their vow to get fit. So, resist the temptation to indulge by sticking to single servings or storing your leftovers right away.

2. Spray it on. Instead of pouring cooking oil into the pan, use a garden-variety spray bottle for your stir-fried dishes. Each spray releases about one-eight of a teaspoon of oil--compared to an average of two to three teaspoons when you pour it on.

3. Go for appetizers. Worried about falling off the fitness wagon when you're in a restaurant? Order two appetizers and skip the main course. "This strategy keeps portion sizes small but satiates you with a couple of different flavors," explains dietician Elisabetta Politi, nutrition director of Duke University's Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, North California.

Starting Point
As soon as you've made these easy moves a part of your fitness routine, you're ready to take on more physical challenges. Just remember to be patient. After all, you already have a good head start.

Credits: Photo by Petrr Kratochvil, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

With a killer title like The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or Anything Else) From the Inside Out, it's no wonder that Joe Vitale's book is already in its second printing.

I must admit, though, that I was very skeptical about the book. I had assumed that it would be like a "lecture" on paper. Thankfully, that was not the case. Right from the first page, it's evident that Vitale's can-do strategy is empowering without being patronizing.

I'm still in the early chapters, but I'm already buzzed about the "Aha!" moments I've had since I started reading the book. Here are seven of them:

1. You should enjoy life. Expecting a jargon-laden manual about how to get wealthy, I perused the first few pages of the book with much caution. But then, this passage caught my attention: "There is a rocky road through life, and then there's an escalator. Which do you prefer? Why not step up and enjoy the ride?" I was hooked by the analogy. Indeed, Vitale believes that having a zest for life is a great advantage for anyone.

2. Fearlessness is a virtue. "Boldness brings magic," declares Vitale, who dared to gamble on the e-book industry when it was still starting out. As a result of his venture, he earned even more money without spending a single cent. (In any case, it was a pleasant shock to learn that the man who convinced Vitale to take the e-book route is the same man whom I now call my boss.)

3. Good fortune doesn't just fall on your lap--you have to work for it. Aside from thinking positive, Vitale believes in going the extra mile to make the most out of the opportunities that come your way. Having experienced being broke and homeless, Vitale isn't just paying lip service when he shares tips on how to overcome financial adversity.

4. You shouldn't be afraid to dream big. Using cars as metaphors, Vitale emphasizes that it's not a crime to want better things as you go through different stages in your life. Starting out with a Saturn in his early years, Vitale now drives a BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster. "You truly can have anything you can imagine," he assures. But, he is likewise quick to point out: The book is not just about attracting cars.

5. It pays to give. I appreciate the fact that Vitale's book doesn't subscribe to the "rat race" mentality. In fact, he encourages people with money to do good. Vitale leads by example when he discloses that he's got a soft spot for people in need, such as a mother who needed money for her child's medical treatment. Yes, he handed her thousands of dollars--no questions asked. Vitale believes that wholehearted generosity helps a wealthy person remain down-to-earth.

6. Ask and you shall receive. If things don't go your way, don't just throw in the towel without putting up a fight. By this, Vitale means that it doesn't hurt to be hopeful. Thus, when confronted with airline tickets that were priced beyond his allotted budget, Vitale remained undaunted and, instead, called the airline company to ask if he could get a better deal. He got it.

7. Old drama should be left behind. No matter how bad your past may have been, you can't use it as an excuse for being stuck in the same self-destructive pattern for the rest of your life. As Vitale states, you have to rise above the things that hold you down.

Bottom line: The book is a guide to living the best version of your life. Yes, having money is good, but it's not the only way to quantify wealth. In this case, I consider myself already rich. And to think I haven't even finished the book yet. (But I'm turning the pages as fast as I can.)

Here are five fruits that give the apple some serious competition for the Power Fruit title:

Cranberry. Known for preventing bacteria from taking over the urinary tract, the cranberry's antioxidant properties protect the heart by boosting levels of high-density lipoprotein or HDL ("good cholesterol") in your body. In a study conducted at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, participants who drank three eight-ounce glasses of cranberry juice daily increased their HDL by 10 percent after three months.

Strawberry. Strawberries contain phytonutrients--such as flavonoids, anthocyanidins and ellagic acid. They help in enhancing memory function and fighting off rheumatoid arthritis.

Orange. More than being packed with Vitamin C, oranges have been proven to be more than what they seem. In 2004, a study undertaken by the US Department of Agriculture and KGK Synergize, a Canadian nutraceutical company, revealed that orange peels have medicinal value. Orange peels contain polymethoxylated flavones or PMFs--compounds that serve as potent, natural alternatives for lowering low-density lipoprotein or LDL ("bad" cholesterol).

Banana. With their high potassium content (about 400 to 600 mg in each fruit, depending on the size), bananas are easily the favorite of athletes and gym rats. Potassium keeps the body hydrated by preventing sodium from overpowering your body. Thus, bananas help strengthen your muscles and nerves.

Peach. Rich in antioxidants, peaches can ease digestion. Plus, they can also help prevent kidney diseases and anemia. Moreover, their phosphorus content enables them to protect nerve cells.

So, go ahead and pick your favorite power fruit and make sure you get to have it on a regular basis. Doing so would probably count as one of the most basic moves of preventive health care.

As for me, I'm a banana fan--and not just because it's an "athlete's fruit." It's because, like most guys, I prefer a fruit that's easily brown-bagged and doesn't make a mess when eaten. Like I always say, I love keeping things simple--especially when it comes to eating right.

As much as pundits have been predicting that ours will soon be a "paperless society," I don't think we could do without paper entirely.

Necessary Trail
I'm not just saying that because I want to romanticize snail mail and greeting cards. There are documents that you need to keep. The question is, "Which ones and how long?"

Guess what? It's not that complicated.

"While slogging through masses of paper, it's hard to shake the nagging feeling that you'll need something again. Chances are you won't," assures Money magazine's Cybele Weisser in "Take Charge."

In the same article, professional organizer Robin Blank, who runs Chaos Consulting in Boston, points out: "I'd say that 80 percent of the paper that goes into your home will never be looked at again."

Bottom line: Just hold on to the papers that matter. Don't let your paper trails grow into a monstrous pile that could easily take over your home and your life.

Anti-Clutter Guide
To identify which papers to keep, and for how long, use Weisser's guide:

One month: Credit card and ATM receipts (or until you get your monthly statement); receipts for small-ticket items as long as they can be returned (likely 30 days)

One year: Paid utility bills; monthly and quarterly bank, brokerage, and credit card statements; and paycheck stubs until you get your W-2

Seven years: Tax returns, receipts for major purchases, and year-end credit card, bank, and brokerage statements

Indefinitely: Medical records, receipts for home improvements, mortgage documents, current insurance policies, and warranties until they expire

Clean Slate
"Once you have a clean slate, [you just have to consistently minimize] the paper inflow into your life," adds Weisser. "Take your name off mailing lists. If possible, shift to electronic statements for your frequent-flier, brokerage, and fund accounts. You can often opt to receive bills via e-mail as well."

By taking these anti-waste measures, you're also doing the earth a lot of good.

Still, despite the benefits of minimizing paper, I have to admit that it's still a necessity for some very important things--such as birth certificates and, of course, really great books. I like sniffing book pages, thank you very much. I can't do that with an e-book, can I?

So, yes, I'm all for being paperless in the future--as long as old-fashioned books are still around.

Credits: Photo from Clutter Organizers