• Who: Students and business people alike.
• Where: Spotted on public transportation, cafés, libraries and desks hunched over computers while excessively typing away.
• What: A few preventative measures can go a long way to improve your posture and overall work environment.
• When: The time to change those bad habits is now!
• Why: If you don’t take action back pain, neck strain, poor posture and carpel tunnel syndrome can be a result.

1. Type away on an ergonomic keyboard – Several ergonomic friendly computer accessories including keyboards, mice and mouse pads are on the market to help prevent related injuries.
2. Get on the Ball! – A medicine ball that is! It may look silly, but spending an hour or two per day on a medicine ball while working at your computer (specifically at a desk) helps promote proper posture.
3. Take a Break! – Taking at least one break an hour to do a few simple stretches helps alleviate muscle strain as well as relieving eye strain if you’re constantly starting at a computer screen.
4. Revamp your Work Station – Buying a new state of the art desk and chair isn’t necessary but a couple of simple tweaks like adjusting your chair height, lumbar support and other clearances facilitate a better working environment.
5. Invest in Exercise – To help offset muscle strain and maintain proper posture try adding exercise to your routine. Specifically, exercise that works your core muscles like Pilates or yoga is helpful for optimal ergonomics. If you’re not big on classes, pick up a DVD and use it once a week to give your body a boost.

What techniques or products have you tried to improve your posture or workstation?

5 Cool Ways to Reuse Your Old Electronics

1. Phone Safe – Deter criminals or sneaky family members from your goods by disguising them in a nifty phone safe from your prehistoric cell phone.

2. Funky Jewelry – Before you donate your old computer, consider taking the guts apart and making some cool jewelry. This project can be fun for the whole family.

3. Back Lit Mouse Pad – Update your old mouse pad into a glow pad!

4. Game Controller Belt Buckle – Turn your old Nintendo controller into a belt buckle.

5. External Hard Drive – Forget spending $100+ on an external hard drive if you have an old computer which most of us do.

Congrats to last week’s CowBoom Giveaway Winners!

Welcome to CowBoom’s Giveaway of the Day!

It’s simple! Follow the steps below for a chance to win!

• Create a CowBoom Account here.
• Sign in and comment on the question
• One lucky winner will win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card!

  Please click here for Terms and Conditions.

As the world continues to gravitate towards greener pastures the term ‘solar energy’ is further permeating our everyday vocabulary. Solar Energy is simply heat generated from the sun that can be converted into other forms of energy such as electricity.  One of the many cool things about solar energy is its influence on electronics.

Products have been popping up with very practical uses for your favorite electronics. One of my favorites is a solar charging station. CowBoom’s General Manager, Larisa, has a pretty nifty one on her desk manufactured by Solio.  This item allows you to charge your products from the sun or socket and is current with adapters for 3G Smartphones, MP3 Players and more. It’s an easy, green way to reduce your carbon footprint while staying close to your favorite gadgets.

Welcome to CowBoom’s Giveaway of the Day!

It’s simple! Follow the steps below for a chance to win!

• Create a CowBoom Account here.
• Sign in and comment on the question
• One lucky winner will win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card!

  Please click here for Terms and Conditions.

Welcome to CowBoom’s Giveaway of the Day!

It’s simple! Follow the steps below for a chance to win!

• Create a CowBoom Account here.
• Sign in and comment on the question
• One lucky winner will win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card!

Remember that New Year Resolution you made to exercise more, eat less and live a healthier lifestyle? It’s probably faded a bit as your schedule is jammed packed with meetings, exams, events and deadlines. Developing healthy habits can seem like a lot of work! The good news is it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 simple tips you can use to become healthy while maintaining your schedule.

1.    Eat Your Wheaties! – Not a breakfast person? Grab a banana, apple or breakfast bar to eat mid morning. Kick starting your metabolism in the morning is the key to burning calories optimally throughout the day and curbing afternoon snack attacks.

2.    More H20! – Fill up a reusable water bottle (BPA free) in the AM and keep it handy (at your desk or in your car depending on your job) to ensure you’re getting your daily amount for maximum health benefits. Drinking water frequently through the day keeps your skin supple and those hunger cravings in their proper place!

3.    Replace One Meal with a Salad – Throw a pre-mixed salad in a Tupperware. Add some chicken, raw veggies, dried cranberries or nuts for protein, taste and texture!

4.    Short Exercise Routines More Frequently – Can’t make it to the gym for 2 hour training sessions? Try 30 minutes at home each day. A simple dumbbell set, an exercise DVD or calisthenics, will get you where you want to be physically! The key is to aim for every day to ensure you get in 5 days a week. Keep your heart healthy and your body happy!

5.    Brush Your Teeth!  Stash a travel toothbrush and paste in your belongings and brush after meals to stave off snacking in between meals which often times is what adds on those pesky pounds. Plus, the more you brush, the healthier your teeth will be, your dentist will be so proud!

Welcome to CowBoom’s Giveaway of the Day!

It’s simple! Follow the steps below for a chance to win!

• Create a CowBoom Account here.
• Sign in and comment on the question
• One lucky winner will win a $25 Best Buy Gift Card!