The Worst Household Cleaners

The Worst Household Cleaners for Your Health

By Sarah B. Weir

Are your cleaning products hazardous?Most people think of house cleaning as a way to make their living environment safer and healthier, but according to the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) just-released "Cleaners Hall of Shame," many common products contain chemicals that can "inflict serious harm on unwary users."

Consumers often assume that the cleaning products industry is strongly regulated by the government, but EWG Senior Analyst Nneka Leiba tells Yahoo! Shine that this is a misconception. "Most hazardous ingredients are legal and many are unlabeled." These include toxic compounds such as formaldehyde that are banned in other countries and are known to or suspected of causing cancer, blindness, asthma, burns, and other afflictions. There is also little information on how the hundreds of chemicals we are exposed to react together and what their cumulative effects on the body are.

The EWG came up with its "Hall of Shame" list while developing an extensive database that scientifically analyzes the chemicals in 2,000 products. "While we were researching the database, we saw glaring problems which we wanted to highlight to the public immediately," says Leiba. The full database will be published in the fall of 2012.

The EWG report cites the following worst offenders:

Mop & Glo Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner contains methoxydiglycol (DEGME), a toxic chemical which is "suspected of damaging the unborn child" by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. The EWG found that the DEGME levels in this product are up to 15 times higher than allowed in the European Union.

Tarn-X Tarnish Remover contains up to seven percent thiourea, which is categorized as a carcinogen by the state of California. The National Toxicology Program, an interagency governement group, says that thiourea is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."

Simple Green Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner claims to be "non-toxic" but contains 2-butoxyethanol, a solvent absorbed through the skin that irritates eyes and may damage red blood cells. The EWG points out that this highly concentrated product should be diluted, but is sold in a spray bottle which is can lead customers to misuse it in a hazardous way.

Target's Up & Up and Walmart's Great Value brands are what the EWG calls "mystery mixes," products whose labels offer little or no ingredient information.

There are a number of products the EWG also says to avoid. For specific information on the risks involved with each product click on the "Hall of Shame" list:

• Whink Rust Stain Remover
• Citra-Solv Cleaner and Degreaser
• Spic and Span Multi-Surface and Floor Cleaner
• Scrubbing Bubbles Anti-Bacterial Bathroom Cleaner and Extend-a-Clean Mega Shower Foamer
• DampRid Mildew Stain Remover Plus Blocker
• Easy-Off Fume Free Over Cleaner
• Drano Extra Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover
• Walmart Great Value Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner
• CVS Fume Free Oven Cleaner
• Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner Aerosol Spray
• Glade Air Freshener
• Air Wick Air Freshener
• Spot Shots Stain Remover
• Lysol Disinfectant Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• X-14 Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Hagarty Liquid Jewel Clean
• Ajax, Dynamo, and Fab Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergents
• Static Guard
• Final Touch Ultra Liquid Fabric Softener
• Clorox, Fantastik, Febreze, Formula 409, Easy-Off, Lysol, Mr. Clean and Spic and Span spray cleaners
• Comet Disinfectant Cleanser Powder
• Lysol Neutra Air Freshmatic
• Air Wick Freshmatic Compact
• Febreze and Glade Automatic Air Fresheners

Until the full database comes out in the fall, which will point consumers toward the safest products, Leiba says that consumers should be stringent label readers. "The fine print warnings are revealing. If a product says it may be fatal, you probably shouldn't be using it around a young child. If it says use gloves, use gloves. If it says don't use around pets or in confined area, then that is telling you something about its safety." If a product has minimal labeling, she suggests calling the company for more information.

The safest cleaning products are cheap, widely available and have been around for centuries: baking soda, water, and vinegar along with some elbow grease. The EWG says these ingredients can be used to clean everything from countertops to hardwood floors to ovens. 

What's in your chicken?

Arsenic and Other Chemicals Found in Chicken 

By Sarah B. Weir

Do you know what's in your chicken?Is pink slime just the tip of the corrupted food iceberg? In an April 4, 2012 article in the New York Times, journalist Nicholas Kristof spotlights two recent studies that have found many unappetizing (to say the least) chemicals lurking in poultry.

"We were kind of floored," Keeve E. Nachman, a co-author of both studies and a scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Center for a Livable Future told the Times. "It's unbelievable what we found."

Nachman's team examined ground chicken feathers from six states and China (feathers, like human hair and nails, contain traces of the chemicals an animal has been exposed to). One of the most troubling substances they identified was a broad-spectrum class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones that the FDA banned for poultry production in 2005. Antibiotics are given to industrially raised meat and poultry to make them grow more quickly. This particular class of drugs breeds so-called "superbugs" which cause antibiotic resistant infections in humans.

Arsenic, a known carcinogen, was found in every feather sample. "It has no place in the human food system," Sonya Lunder, Senior Research Analyst at the Environmental Working Group, told Yahoo! Shine. Arsenic is fed to chickens and hogs to improve the color of their flesh.

The majority of samples also contained acetaminophin, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and one-third of the samples contained the antihistamine used in Benadryl. The samples from China also showed traces of Prozac. Kristoff explains that all these substances are administered to chickens to reduce stress because that can slow their growth. The feathers also contained caffeine, presumably to counteract the effects of the other substances.

Kristoff points out that the research doesn't actually reveal how much of these chemicals the average consumer is actually eating and says more work needs to be done. In the meantime, if you are concerned about the possible ill health effects of adulterated poultry, you should buy organic. Lunder explains, "Organic chickens cannot be given antibiotics and hormones and therefore are a better option for those who can afford it." Nachman agrees: "I've been studying food-animal production for some time, and the more I study, the more I'm drawn to organic," he told the Times. "We [he and his family] buy organic."

Lunder thinks the meat industry is doing things backward by administering pharmaceuticals and other chemicals to animals that should be raised in better conditions in the first place. "There are countless recent examples of the problems caused by unsanitary facilities and the drive to make animals grow as fast as possible," she told Yahoo! Shine. "Animals are treated with high levels of antibiotics to promote growth and combat unsanitary conditions. We soak meat in ammonia, i.e. make pink slime, instead of requiring cleaner food processing centers."

Arsenic in organic foods

UPDATED: On Friday Tom Super, vice president of the National Chicken Council, refuted Nachman's studies. “As the study’s authors point out, this study looked only at feathers, not meat," he told Yahoo! Shine. "If consumers were to take away one message from the findings, it should be from the researchers themselves: ‘We haven’t found anything that is an immediate health concern.’"

Super pointed out that the chickens raised for meat are never given steroids or hormones. "It is illegal in this country," he said. Also, he added: "The U.S. does not import any chicken from China. Zero."

“Modern testing methodologies, like those used in this particular study, are extremely sensitive and can detect bioaccumulation of just about anything -- even if the compound or antibiotic has not been used in years or was never used," he said. "Chickens in the United States produced for meat are not given ‘arsenic’ as an additive in chicken feed, or any of the other compounds mentioned in these studies."

Lead in Lipstick

Lead in Lipstick: 10 Worst Brands, 

Better Alternatives

By Sarah B. Weir

Hazardous to your health?Could a pretty pucker be the kiss of death? According to Reuters, about 400 lipsticks recently tested by the FDA contain traces of lead. In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics ran its own tests on 33 red lipsticks and found that one-third exceeded the FDA's limit for lead in candy. Lead levels have gone up since then.

The FDA pushed back in its latest report stating that: "Lipstick, as a product intended for topical use with limited absorption, is ingested only in very small quantities. We do not consider the lead levels we found in the lipsticks to be a safety concern." However, Stacy Malkan, of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics disagrees. "We know that ingestion of lipstick happens," she told Reuters. She also points out that lead accumulates in the body over time.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is particularly concerned about lead exposure for children and pregnant women. The CDC's Advisory Committee for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention recently stated that there is no safe lead level for children. Lead poisoning causes a wide range of problems from low IQ and slowed grown in children to memory loss, mood disorders, and miscarriage in adults.

The FDA found the highest levels in lipsticks made by Procter & Gamble (Cover Girl brand), L'Oreal (L'Oreal and Maybelline brands), and Revlon. The lipsticks containing the most lead (measured in parts per million) are:

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, 

Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)

2. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)

3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)

4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, 

Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)

5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)

6. L'Oreal Colour Riche, 

Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)

7. L'Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)

8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, 

Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)

9. Maybelline Color Sensational, 

Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)

10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

California, which has the nation's most stringent laws about lead in consumer products, has imposed a safety limit of 5.0 ppm for lipstick. If you are concerned about contaminants in your lipstick or other cosmetics, the Environmental Working Group rates over 1000 cosmetic lip products on its searchable database. Because there are thousands of lipsticks on the market, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics says its impossible to test every one and the best thing you can do is support an outright ban on lead. However, here are 11 products they have found to be lead-free.

Green that Really Work

 Green Cleaners that Really Work

By Oprah.com 

Method Smarty Dish Dishwasher Detergent Tabs

The Claim: Biodegradable and free of phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, and petroleum distillates. The lightweight packaging uses 87 percent less plastic than traditional rigid plastic containers. 

The Clean: "Whatever's in that tablet whisked away remnants of Bolognese sauce, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs. Turns out our 7-year-old Maytag has more oomph left than I thought; I just needed a better detergent." --Jenny Bailly, Executive Beauty Editor 

Bon Ami Liquid Cleanser

The Claim: Biodegradable and free of phosphates and chlorine. The packaging is made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled plastic. 

The Clean: "I figured without harsh chemicals, I'd need a lot more elbow grease. But the nastiest surface of all--the toilet--was rendered spotless with just a few lazy swipes of my toilet brush." --Katie Arnold-Ratliff, Associate Editor 

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Glass Cleaner

The Claim: Skips ammonia (a potentially toxic irritant) in favor of plant-based cleaning agents sourced from sustainable coconut-palm-oil farms. Free of phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum distillates. 

The Clean: "The nozzle mists, so there's great coverage and I used less. With one pass of a cleaning rag, my windows and mirrors were clear." --Crystal G. Martin, Assistant Editor 

Method Floor + Surface Cleaner

The Claim: Biodegradable and free of phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum distillates. The packaging is made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled material. 

The Clean: "It easily lifted my terrier's muddy footprints from tile, a maple syrup spill from the kitchen floor, even unidentified drips down my garbage can-no rinsing required." --Catherine Dibenedetto, Articles Editor 

Caldrea Dish Soap Liquid

The Claim: Biodegradable and free of phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum distillates. Plant-based cleaning agents are sourced from certified sustainable palm-oil farms. 

The Clean: "At first I found the quaint packaging and citrusy aroma of essential oils suspect. Surely they couldn't peel the charred remains of a veggie burger from my favorite pan. But they did." --Meredith Bryan, Senior Editor 

Bill by Eco-Me All-Purpose Cleaner

The Claim: Uses only ingredients that are food-grade and plant-sourced, such as vinegar and sugar-based cleaning agents. Free of phosphates, chlorine, and petroleum distillates. 

The Clean: "With a husband who likes to walk while he eats, I'm constantly wiping down surfaces. A single squirt of Bill cut through everything from the barbecue sauce stains on the stovetop to the filmy residue on the countertops." --Jessica Silvester, Assistant Editor 

Green Works Oxi Stain Remover

The Claim: An oxygen-based bleaching agent helps make this cleaner versatile, biodegradable, and nonallergenic. 

The Clean: "Having pets made me hesitant to use a heavy-duty shampoo on my dingy mosaic of carpet stains. But 20 minutes after I sprinkled this powder, my cats were sprawled out on a carpet that positively sparkles." --Kate Rockwood, Senior Editor 

Signs of an Extraordinary Boss

8 Signs of an Extraordinary Boss

By Geoffrey James 

The best managers have a fundamentally different understanding of workplace, company, and team dynamics. See what they get right.

A few years back, I interviewed some of the most successful CEOs in the world in order to discover their management secrets. I learned that the "best of the best" tend to share the following eight core beliefs.

1. Business is an ecosystem, 

not a battlefield.

Average bosses see business as a conflict between companies, departments and groups. They build huge armies of "troops" to order about, demonize competitors as "enemies," and treat customers as "territory" to be conquered.

Extraordinary bosses see business as a symbiosis where the most diverse firm is most likely to survive and thrive. They naturally create teams that adapt easily to new markets and can quickly form partnerships with other companies, customers ... and even competitors.

2. A company is a community, 

not a machine.

Average bosses consider their company to be a machine with employees as cogs. They create rigid structures with rigid rules and then try to maintain control by "pulling levers" and "steering the ship."

Extraordinary bosses see their company as a collection of individual hopes and dreams, all connected to a higher purpose. They inspire employees to dedicate themselves to the success of their peers and therefore to the community–and company–at large.

3. Management is service, not control.

Average bosses want employees to do exactly what they're told. They're hyper-aware of anything that smacks of insubordination and create environments where individual initiative is squelched by the "wait and see what the boss says" mentality.

Extraordinary bosses set a general direction and then commit themselves to obtaining the resources that their employees need to get the job done. They push decision making downward, allowing teams form their own rules and intervening only in emergencies.

4. My employees are my peers, 

not my children.

Average bosses see employees as inferior, immature beings who simply can't be trusted if not overseen by a patriarchal management. Employees take their cues from this attitude, expend energy on looking busy and covering their behinds.

Extraordinary bosses treat every employee as if he or she were the most important person in the firm. Excellence is expected everywhere, from the loading dock to the boardroom. As a result, employees at all levels take charge of their own destinies.

5. Motivation comes from vision, 

not from fear.

Average bosses see fear--of getting fired, of ridicule, of loss of privilege--as a crucial way to motivate people. As a result, employees and managers alike become paralyzed and unable to make risky decisions.

Extraordinary bosses inspire people to see a better future and how they'll be a part of it. As a result, employees work harder because they believe in the organization's goals, truly enjoy what they're doing and (of course) know they'll share in the rewards.

6. Change equals growth, not pain.

Average bosses see change as both complicated and threatening, something to be endured only when a firm is in desperate shape. They subconsciously torpedo change ... until it's too late.

Extraordinary bosses see change as an inevitable part of life. While they don't value change for its own sake, they know that success is only possible if employees and organization embrace new ideas and new ways of doing business.

7. Technology offers empowerment, not automation.

Average bosses adhere to the old IT-centric view that technology is primarily a way to strengthen management control and increase predictability. They install centralized computer systems that dehumanize and antagonize employees.

Extraordinary bosses see technology as a way to free human beings to be creative and to build better relationships. They adapt their back-office systems to the tools, like smartphones and tablets, that people actually want to use.

8. Work should be fun, not mere toil.

Average bosses buy into the notion that work is, at best, a necessary evil. They fully expect employees to resent having to work, and therefore tend to subconsciously define themselves as oppressors and their employees as victims. Everyone then behaves accordingly.

Extraordinary bosses see work as something that should be inherently enjoyable–and believe therefore that the most important job of manager is, as far as possible, to put people in jobs that can and will make them truly happy.

Losing Weight

How I Lost 103 Pounds

By Abigail Cuffey

Before, 226 pounds

After, 123 pounds >

The reality of an empty nest forced Joyce Anderson, 41, of Richmond, KY, to change her focus. Here she shares how she finally got fit and took back her life.

My secret binge eating started when I was 13, after my grandpa died. I really looked up to him and we were very close, so when he passed away, I turned to food to comfort myself. In high school, I was very active and ran cross-country, but I still gained weight because I was overeating when no one was around. At 19, I shed about 30 pounds in the months before my wedding by going on a crash diet. But after I had my daughter and son, the weight gradually crept back on and before I knew it, I was over 200 pounds. I felt so unattractive that I hardly have any family photos from that time. Occasionally I'd lose 30 pounds but then I'd gain back 35 more. It was a vicious cycle.

Focusing on Me

In 2008, my daughter, a senior in high school, told me that she didn't want to be a cheerleader anymore. I was upset—not because I was disappointed in her, but because it would leave a hole in my own life. I had been devoting all of my free time to my children's activities; at one point, my daughter even told me to stop living through her. Her comment hurt, but she was right: I didn't have a life of my own. I was too embarrassed about my body to go out and socialize. I knew then that I had to do something about my weight and "get a life," since both my children were nearing college age and would be leaving home.

The Big Jumpstart

That year, two days before Christmas, I sat down and searched for weight-loss plans online. I found SparkPeople.com (an online health and weight-loss community) and began to log what I ate; I also read other people's blogs to stay motivated. I joined a gym in January of 2009, and it just so happened that it was hosting a Biggest Loser—type competition. I signed up, worked out with a trainer a few times a week, and at the end of 12 weeks, I had lost 50 pounds and won the individual female weight-loss category!

Afterward, I continued to eat healthfully and stuck to 1,200-1,500 calories per day. The competition kickstarted my weight loss, but I knew I needed to find an activity that I really loved and would do long-term. Dancing seemed like a fun challenge, so I used a coupon I had for a free private dance lesson. The first class was a mix of cha-cha and salsa dancing, and I definitely felt clumsy and awkward, but I had so much fun that I decided to keep going.

Dancing My Way Thin

Over the course of a year, I continued to lose weight (about 50 more pounds) and improve my dancing. In 2011, I competed in rumba, cha-cha, bolero, mambo and East Coast swing at two different dance competitions. Dancing has taught me how to carry myself, control my body and just have fun. Now, at 41, I'm not afraid to take chances and I finally feel attractive, something I've never experienced. And yes: I now have a life.

My Best Tip

Pick a "cravings" day. If I have a craving during the week, I tell myself to hold off until Saturday. If I still want it then, I eat it—but I often find that the urge has passed.

My Stick-With-It Secret

Use visual reminders! I carried around this "before" picture of myself when I was at my heaviest as daily inspiration to stay on track. I would pull it out whenever I felt my commitment waning. It was a great reminder that I didn't want to go back to that overweight place and a positive reinforcement of how far I'd come. It really came in handy the night before my first dance showcase (after I'd lost 65 pounds). I was terrified that I would freeze up, but then I looked at the picture and thought, Wow, I've come too far to turn back now.

Health Benefits of Sex

 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

Find out how getting intimate can improve your well-being

By Sarah Jio

Of course sex is healthy, but did you know that a good sex life can provide specific health benefits? We spoke to the experts to find out just how sex improves our health (not that you needed any convincing).

1. It May Make You Thinner

Dread working out? Don’t break up with your treadmill just yet. But if it’s late and you haven’t made it to the gym, don’t forget that sex counts as exercise, too! “Sex burns between 75 and 150 calories per half-hour,” says Desmond Ebanks, MD, founder and medical director of Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford, Connecticut. It’s comparable to other physical activities, he says, 

like yoga (114 calories per half-hour), dancing (129 calories per half-hour) or walking (153 calories per half-hour).

Bonus: Sex may also help your muscles stay lean in the process. “Sexual arousal and orgasm releases the hormone testosterone, which, among other things, is necessary to build and maintain bone and lean muscle tissue,” he adds.

2. It May Improve Your Heart Health

You’re probably already aware that heart disease is the number-one killer of women. Eating a healthy diet, and keeping your cholesterol low and sodium in check are great ways to stay on top of heart health, but so is having sex. “Sex is exercise that raises heart rate and blood flow,” says Dr. Ebanks. “In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half.” While the study results were focused on men, Dr. Ebanks suspects similar effects for women, too.

3. It Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep

What do you do to help you sleep? When chamomile tea and other remedies aren’t doing the job, sex may help—especially if you’re having trouble sleeping due to anxiety or stress. “People having frequent sex often report that they handle stress better,” notes Dr. Ebanks. “The profound relaxation that typically follows orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely relax. Many indicate that they sleep more deeply and restfully after satisfying lovemaking.”

4. It Can Boost Your Immune System

With all the concerns about cold and flu viruses, combating germs can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Surprisingly, there may be something you can do in the bedroom to keep your immune system strong, says Dr. Ebanks, who points to a study by researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. “Individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30 percent higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system,” he says. So, make this your new cold-and-flu season mantra: Wash your hands and make a bedroom date with your sweetie—often!

5. It Can Improve Your Mental Health 

The quickest way to boost your mood, fight depression and beat anxiety? Patricia Tan, MD, a board-certified internist in Arizona and medical expert for JustAnswer.com, says the answer is simple: sex (in a loving, committed relationship, of course). “Psychologically, sex improves one’s mental health by building intimacy and reducing stress,” she says. “The stress reduction component lowers a person's cortisol level, thereby reducing the chances of increased blood pressure, hyperglycemia and increased acidity in the abdomen.”

6. It Can Help Relieve Pain

You might change “Not tonight, honey, I have a headache” to “Yes, tonight, honey, I have a headache,” or so says Dr. Ebanks, who believes there’s a real correlation between sex and pain management. “Through sexual arousal and orgasm the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body, which in turn causes the release of endorphins,” he explains. “Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as a powerful analgesic.”

7. It Can Help You with Bladder Control

It may sound weird—the idea that sex can help you minimize incontinence—but it’s true, say experts. Sex therapists have long recommended that women do Kegel exercises (flexing the muscles in your pelvic floor) throughout the day, but also during sex. Why? Not only can the exercises help increase pleasure, they also strengthen the muscles associated with incontinence. You can do Kegels anywhere (including during intercourse), so don’t be shy! Gently flex and tighten your pelvic floor muscles in the same way you would to stop the flow of urine. Hold for three seconds, then release.

8. It May Give You Healthier Skin

Could sex make you more beautiful? It sounds far-fetched, but Eric Braverman, MD, founder of PATH Medical Center in New York City, says having sex releases a key compound in the body that is good for all kinds of things—including improving your complexion. During sex, your body produces a hormone called DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). “It can boost the immune system, give you healthier skin and even decrease depression,” he says. So much for the $79 night cream!

Sarah Jio is the health and fitness blogger

Let's mine space

Asteroid Mining: Planetary Resources Plans to Dig Off-Earth

By Chris Nichols 

Forget Earth. Let's mine space.

There are a lot of rocks floating around out there beyond our planet's confines, and the thinking of a smart, connected and very rich group of investors is that the time is right to search for resources somewhere besides the ground we call home.

A company called Planetary Resources -- started three years ago, but only now unveiling its plans -- is spearheading an effort to start mining near-Earth asteroids for human-friendly materials, specifically water and platinum-group metals. Sound a little wacky, at best? Maybe reminds you of "Alien" or "Outland" or some other good-intentions-go-bad in outer space tale?

Skepticism is never an awful approach, but the people attached to the project and the investors in it are telling a pretty serious story. A number of Planetary Resources executives, including Eric Anderson and Peter Diamandis, of  X Prize Foundation fame, held a press conference at The Museum of Flight in Seattle on Tuesday to discuss the company and its goals.

Diamandis said the primary purpose was to "make the resources of space available to humanity," both outside of and on Earth. "It can be done, and yes, it's very difficult," but the returns "are extraordinary," he said.

While the project sounds very much like any number of science fiction stories, it has attracted the interest of rather serious brain power and financial means. Among those involved are Google's (GOOG) Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, Ross Perot Jr., former Microsoft (MSFT) software architect Charles Simonyi and movie director turned submarine adventurer James Cameron. The chief engineer of Planetary Resources is a former manager at NASA's well-known Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a host of other engineers and even former astronauts are involved.

Anderson said at the conference that the rationale for initially seeking water on the asteroids will be first because it can support life, and second because its components, hydrogen and oxygen, are key propellants for rocket launches. The thinking there would be to use asteroids as a type of gas station or launch pad for deep space missions. The platinum metals, meanwhile, are being sought because they're rare on our planet, and therefore expensive, but they're vital for a range of industrial applications.

"We're going to bring the solar system within our economic sphere of influence," Anderson said.

Planetary Resources is envisioning a three-phase process over the next few years. The first is to fully develop its technology, with the hope of launching its early equipment within 24 months. The next step will involve figuring out which asteroids are the best targets for mining, and that will be followed by extraction.

The group's speakers acknowledged the high risks and the potential for failure of the undertaking, but indicated they believe it's worth it. Ahead of the press conference, a report in The New York Times quoted Anderson as saying the "collective net worth" of Planetary Resources' investors is around $50 billion, "and they know what they're getting into." When asked, he declined to give details on Planetary Resources' fundraising totals.

Investors in the project and the company's employees clearly have a sense of adventure, and at the conference several of them invoked the wonders of space and compared their efforts to the early days of the personal computer and the Internet. But there is absolutely a profit motive -- Anderson made it clear that if the effort is ultimately successful, the financial payoff could be enormous.

How enormous? Planetary Resources believes its work will have the ability to "add trillions of dollars to the global GDP," according to a Wall Street Journal article. Trillions. For reference, the U.S. economy is worth, in total, about $14 trillion to $15 trillion right now.

So here's something for skeptics and space junkies alike to keep an eye on.

Be supportive without pushy parent

How to be supportive without being a pushy parent

'It's not the winning, it's the taking part' is easier said than done sometimes, and that's as true for parents as much as it is for children. 

Most parents naturally want their child to succeed, and it's normal to want to do all you can to help them to do so. But it's a fine line between encouragement and interference: at what point does your encouragement make you a pushy parent?

Don't get carried away

Anne, a dance teacher and mum of a swimming-pro son, often notices parents at the galas pushing the boundaries of healthy encouragement. "The things they shout are just plain embarrassing – you just cringe for their children, who feel their efforts aren’t good enough." Some children can’t bear their parents supporting them at sports competitions whatsoever, with some even keeping the event a secret until it's over.

If this is the case, you can’t challenge their choice or go behind their back. Anne continues: "The one time I did this my son didn’t let me watch another of his galas for months." Let that be a lesson to you!

Don't compete with other parents

A sure sign of pushy parenting is when the child’s needs come second to their parents. Take Paula, 48, mum of 18-year-old Francesca. When her daughter’s A-level results were lower than a close friend’s, she embarrassed both by comparing them, making her daughter feel inferior. It’s this kind of behaviour that defines the pushy parents from the encouraging ones. The lesson to be learnt here is to show your children you’re proud of them whatever 

they do. 

If you find you are concerned that your child’s achievements may affect your reputation or reflect badly on you, then your priorities are in the wrong place.

Don't try to bribe them

It isn’t uncommon for parents to offer their children rewards for achieving certain goals. Mum of three teenage girls Julie, 46, shared that she would give her daughters monetary incentives to achieve A grades at secondary school. While some may see this as healthy encouragement, others view it as plain bribery. 

The competition between parents to offer their child the biggest prize is also common, with Julie adding that her daughters said they would try harder if they knew they would be better rewarded than their peers. This is incentivising gone wrong, as the children are losing focus of what matters. 

Do let them set their own targets

Letting your children set their own goals, timescales and rewards could be your way to avoid pushy-parent-syndrome. Rather than dictating to them, compromise and discover your child’s needs. Everyone learns differently and we are all motivated by different things, so find what suits your child to optimise their motivation without exerting pressure. 

Let them realise their own mistakes instead of criticising them. For example, if it’s time management issues they lack then they need to face the consequences and learn themselves, even if that includes a telling off from their teacher. 

Finally, avoid hovering close by while they study or rehearse as this gives them opportunity to doubt themselves – give them independence by letting them come to you instead.

Don't force them into the limelight

If your child shows promise of being an all-singing, all-dancing star then it’s important as a parent to recognise their talents without forcing them into the limelight. Harvesting a talent can be worth its weight in gold in terms of your child’s confidence, and perhaps financially one day. But often the harder you push their talents, the further you push them away. 

Flute teacher Julia warns that the effects of pushy parenting can be detrimental to a child’s creative ability; ‘I can always tell when a child is under parental pressure. Their confidence falters and they lack communication with me, the tutor.’ She advises that if the child is content to enjoy a hobby without competition or performances then leave it that way. 

Do give them space

It can be tempting to march your sixteen year old down the high street to hand out CVs as soon as their National Insurance lands on the doormat, but your first job can be a daunting prospect and it isn’t something a teenager will do willingly if they’re under too much parental pressure. 

Michelle, mother of three,  recounts the impact on her daughter’s confidence when she tried to intercept her job application which she didn’t feel was adequate; ‘I did it out of love, but it wasn’t worth the embarrassment I subsequently caused my daughter, whose trust for me diminished.’ The greatest support you can provide in this circumstance is offering to help them write their CV and suggest taking them shopping for an interview outfit. 

Shadowing them as they dish out CVs, or even handing them out without their consent, is not going to win their trust, so give them the freedom to make their own mistakes.

Body language is more powerful than words

Making a guy fall for you doesn't have to involve pick-up lines or clever chatter. Experts say that body language is more powerful than words, and these flirting tricks will turn you into a (silent) assassin!  

Don't make a move 

There's a lot of mixed advice going around about being the one to approach a guy. And while confidence is sexy, in a social scenario, it is best to let a guy make the first move. A recent study found that a guy is more likely to go out with a woman if he's the one who approaches her, rather than vice versa. That doesn't mean you have to just wait around for him to come over there are other tricks below that'll help push things along. 

Smile smart

Perfect your come-hither look. Tilt your head slightly down and to the side, then look up from under your lashes and smile. This pose shows guys it's okay to approach. 

Look sensual

Slightly slow down all your gestures cross and uncross your legs slowly, stroke your neck deliberately, or lazily fix your hair.

Divide and rule

Men tend to be intimidated by a pack of girls, so hit up a bar with just two friends. If you see a guy you like, pull away slightly from your pals and scan the room. When your eyes fall on your target, holdeye contact for a few seconds to let him know you've noticed him.

Get into flirt mode

"Make the most of body language, says Violet Blue, author of Total Flirt. Your body sends out messages you may not even consciously know, and even minor adjustments can change how men perceive you. Which is why it's important to turn on your Flirt Mode when out. To do, pull your shoulders back and take a deep breath, imagining your breath pulling your chest wider and pulling the centre of your chest up towards the ceiling. Straighten your back and arch the lower back slightly (a good way to do this, and also make your legs look longer and butt more attractive, is to wear heels). "When you make your Flirt Mode stance, you're going to project an aura of confidence and happiness, says Violet.

Practice

To become a genius flirt, don't save your skills only for a guy you like practice on other men you meet so you can perfect your game.

Get touchy

While talking to a guy, touch a part of your body, like your collarbone, cheek, or leg. Touching or stroking yourself is a sign of sensuality, plus it will make the guy subconsciously think about touching you, too. 

Mirror him

If you've ever watched loved up couples in deep conversation, you'll notice that they're pretty much copying each other they'll shift their positions to match the other's; when one picks up a glass, the other will do the same; and their breathing patterns will be similar. Copying someone's movements is a short-cut to creating the same intimacy real couples share just remember to mimic sparingly so it's not obvious.

Find a name

Giving someone a personal nickname creates intimacy. With a new guy, find something positive about him a sense of humour, musclesand give him a nickname for that. Use it playfully through your convo. 

Perfect spaces

Casually touching a guy's arm or knee while laughing at his joke is a great flirting techniqueit subconsciously tells him you're interested, and makes him feel more connected to you. But, warn experts, the move can sometimes backfire, so it's smart to test a man's personal space first. "The bubble of air 18 inches around someone's body is their intimate space: a no-go zone when you first meet someone, says Judy Dutton, author of How The Science Of Sex Can Make You A Better Lover. "To see if someone's up for you breaking through this barrier, find an excuse to step briefly into this zone, say, by allowing someone behind you to pass, or to grab an appetizer off a wandering tray then step back out again. If this person is drawn to you, he will respond by stepping in closer after you've backed off, she says.

The bumping trick

'Accidentally' bump into a man when you're waiting for drinks at the bar. It's an instant convo starter (hey, you gotta say 'sorry'), and the physical contact from your little collision makes the exchange more intimate. 

Wear a convo starter

Standing out with help from a great outfit is one thing; getting noticed because of something extraordinary is even better. A flirt toola cool hat, clever T-shirt, or unusual accessory makes others curious, and gives them a reason to chat with you. 

Work the love triangle

Allow your gaze to drink in what you see. According to experts, when talking to people, our eyes follow a 'triangle'. With acquaintances, we make a small triangle by moving our eyes from eye to eye, dipping them as we move across the bridge of the nose. When we look at the faces of friends, our eyes also include the nose and the mouth. But if we're attracted to a person, the triangle gets wider at the bottom as we incorporate their body into our gaze. Once you get the hang of the 'love triangle', let your gaze linger on his lips for a little longer. This technique sends him a subconscious message that you're wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

Talk through the hand

While at a bar, casually set your hand on your knee so your palm faces up or lay the back of your hand on a table. This pose lets him know that you're approachable and 'safe'. 

Do the walk

Observe the way other girls walk, especially ones you think look sexy. Celebrities, friends, even 10 minutes at the mall will give you much to watch and learn from. Look at how well, or badly people walk. Take notes, and try out moves you like.

Just smile

You might think pouting is sexy, but new research suggests that men find moody looking women a turn-off. The easiest way to disarm, relax, and intrigue a guy is with a smile. "It sounds simple, but when you're flirting, a smile is an instant relaxer, and makes guys curious about what you're smiling about, says Violet. A smile also gives the unconscious impression that you have a great sense of humour, you're approachable, and being around you is indicative of a good time. And if you are pouting, make it guyfriendly the sexiest pout is when you relax your mouth and allow your bottom lip to drop slightly open so he can see a bit of white teeth. 

Location is everything

When it comes to flirting atmospheres, not all places are born equal. Mild to moderate conditions are best, explains Violet. "Daytime parties, casual cocktails, weddings, art galleries, cafes, dinner parties, industry or business-related meets, conferences, reunions, and in classrooms are great to meet men, she says. 

Lower your voice

According to research, when a woman likes a guy, she unconsciously lowers her voice, making it huskier and breathier which guys find insanely sexy. So to let a guy know you're interested, lower your voice a couple of notches. It'll instantly put him in a more seductive mindset. 

Bat those lashes

Did you know that when you like someone, you automatically blink more than usual? Up your blink rate and see if he does the same. If he does, you can safely assume he's interested in you, too. Just don't overdo it.

Soft smile

Make smouldering eye contact, head tipped slightly forward, using your soft smile. Maintain rivetingeye contact and smile wide, keeping lips together. Now he is putty in your hands, says author of the book Total Flirt, Violet Blue. 

Get a fringe

You know the adage, 'The eyes are the windows to the soul'? It's true! "Your retinas are actually the only visible part of your brain, says David Givens, Ph.D., author of Love Signals. "Peering into someone's eyes is literally like seeing into the mind itself. So, letting your hair fall slightly over your eyesobscuring emotions telegraphed through eye contact is coy and alluring.  

Do a twinkle

There's a reason why a twinkle in the eye is so attractive shiny eyes send a cue that you're a lively, vibrant person. While you can't really force your eyes to sparkle, you can create a similar effect with make-up. First, use eye-drops to tackle any redness, then apply a light, shimmery eyeshadow on lids. Line eyes ('wing' them at the edges for a sexy, feline look), then dab highlighter onto brow bones and blend. Highlight the inner corners and bottom rims of eyes with a light, shimmery pencil (this really opens them up), and finish with mascara.

Position it

According to Violet, where you're situated in a room is important. "Stand, don't sit, with your shoulders straight and hip cocked, she says. "Try not to be separated by more than two people, and keep your face slightly away from him: this will make your signaling powerful.