by Beth Hayes

Need something? Just whistle—uh, google.
Our techno-fiend kids are onto something. There are an infinite number of ways that your computer or SmartPhone can enrich your life, so here are just a few of my favorites.

Staying healthy
The first thing I do every day is jump on the scale, then onto the computer. That’s because I’m reverting to the healthy habit I had when I was thin and young—weighing in every day, with action on any 5 lb gain—but with a modern twist. I track my weight, along with my BMI and weekly measurements, on Prevention.com’s Health Tracker tool. I stay on track with my goals (cool graph!) check out healthy recipes and eating plans, and re-motivate myself by reading success stories. Down 12 lbs so far…

Last time I went for a physical, I first filled out a treatment evaluation on RateADrug.com for each of my asthma meds, focusing on each potential known and anecdotal side-effect listed (both the positive and the negative). Then when the doctor asked, “how’s it going?” instead of saying vaguely, “um, fine,” I just handed him the print-outs and asked whether we should consider switching to another medication—one that gets much higher ratings from other RAD users. He agreed. That was the most efficient, effective doctor visit I’ve ever had.

And here’s the next thing I’m gonna try—the Heart Monitor app for my iTouch. It uses the mike in iTouch headphones to record and track your heartbeat, and, as one reviewer said, it’s perfect for both athletes and hypochondriacs. An even fancier tool: the SMHeart Link which bridges to iRPM (bike computer and heart rate monitor), iSpinning (tracks and records cardio) and iNewLeaf (cardio fitness and cycling computer).

What’s for dinner?
I dunno yet, but it will be something from Epicurious.com. There are dozens of cooking websites that make a shelf of cookbooks redundant. Epicurious is my favorite because I can plug in the ingredients I have to hand—asparagus, peppers, eggs—and get a list of recipes that have been pre-tested and rated by other cooks, who’ll weigh in with acid comments and helpful hints and alternatives. For even more choices, try 100topcookingsites.com.

Keeping those neurons firing
The older I get, the more I worry about my brain rusting. If I want to age well with a good memory and sharp wits, I need to keep mastering new skills, so I hit funtrivia.com, puzzle.com, or jigzone.com for little jolts during the day. Then I jog over to csmonitor.com for news stories that link to newspapers all over the world—now that’s what I call global perspective. And of course, snopes.com is my go-to resource before forwarding that e-mail, and factcheck.org keep me straight on the real facts behind our nation’s political life.

Getting re-educated
As my student friends keep telling me, there’s never been a better time to get qualified in a new specialty via the internet, on your own schedule and in the comfort of your pajamas. A new Department of Education report (tinyurl.com/mw6xus) on online education found that “On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction”—ranking in the 59th percentile in tests, as opposed to 50th percentile for the average classroom student. What’s more, it’s no longer a solitary pursuit devoid of stimulation. Using Skype or other social networking technologies, students from across the globe can argue and discuss and banter. Try consumercompare.org for possibilities

Finding support
Trying to survive the Terrible Twos? Have a special needs kid? Are you a caregiver? There are an infinite number of sites that will hook you up with people facing the very same situation via yahoo groups or other networking sites. I cannot express to you what an invaluable source of information, support and comfort these groups can be. Just Google.

So get cracking—er, surfing
“I just don’t have time to use the internet…” “It’s just too complicated—it’s easier to use (fill in the blank).” Well, sure, no-one’s forcing you. But I’ll tell you that one of my very favorite interviews ever, a 100 year-old artist, was positively cackling with glee over all the fun and fascinating things he found to do online after his grandson got him connected. I know ‘cause he Skyped me.