Did you know that curbing your hunger at the start of a meal could prove to be the weight-loss plan you've been looking for all along? According to Consumer Reports magazine, eating a low-calorie soup or salad before you eat a full meal actually helps you satiate your hunger, keeping you from taking in more than you actually should.

Anyhow, apart from that, they also found out that there are basically five steps for you to keep off those pounds permanently. These are:

1. Eat a substantial morning meal
2. Crank up the activity
3. Fill up on "low density" or low calorie foods
4. Step regularly on the scale
5. Bore yourself thin as the more monotonous diet, the less one will eat

Hmmm... I'd have to say that last item there caught my attention fast. How about you? Which of these steps do you think will most likely work for you to keep you fit and healthy?

Consumer Reports (November 2006) conducted a computer reliability survey of "127,800 computers" among their readers and Mac got the top spot. It left behind desktop and laptop models from Compaq, Dell, eMachines, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, Sony, and Toshiba. However, the organization chose to withhold its "Best Buy" stamp of approval from Apple's machines because of its hefty price tag.

Among the criteria that the Mac aced are speakers and expansion. Out of the 77,000 readers surveyed only 11% reported problems with their Macs. Sony PC users experienced more bugs (15%). Gateway desktop PCs got the dubious honor of King of Lemons with 19% of users reporting technical glitches with their machines.

In the laptop category, 18% of the 50,100 respondents reported Apple troubles while Sony received a better (but not significantly different) 15%. As for tech service, Apple's service was +20% ahead the first runner-up despite the company's limited 90-day free warranty and its pricey extended warranty.

With all the big-boy environmental campaigns from both government and private environmental groups, it's too easy to forget that it's the little things that count the most. Consumer Reports' "Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs" gives twenty tips for ordinary consumers like you and us to save energy use, cut our electrical bills, and reduce the need to burn fossil fuels and split atoms (as well as capture sunlight or wind, tap holes into red-hot rocks, and so on...).

Think about it: if we all habitually practiced these tips, we could cut this country's CO2 emissions from power plants and cars, and reduce our personal energy budgets - which leaves extra moolah to spend on the good stuff, like... er, a PS3. Nothing says "Think globally, act locally" like the following:

LAUNDRY:

• Wash in cold water (works just as well as warm in most cases, and with the right detergent).
• Dry your clothes on the clothesline, not in the dryer (unless of course it's raining outside).
• If using the dryer, don't overdry the load.

CLIMATE CONTROL:

• Lower the thermostat by 5-10° F when out of the house or sleeping. Not like you'll be missing all that heat.
  
• Dump the fireplace (if you don't normally use it) - it's a hole for indoor heat to escape from. Use a direct-vent, gas-combustion fireplace instead.
• Use shades against the sun, and consider opening the windows on cool nights.
• Try using a couple of fans instead of a central (or room) air conditioner.
  
• And clean your AC regularly.

More tips after the jump!