Author: Martha Edwards

Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

It’s one of the leading causes of death today, but apparently, 40 percent of cancer cases can be prevented by people protecting themselves from the killer disease.

Don’t let arthritis slow you down — Join the millions of Canadian uniting in the Power of Movement yoga fundraiser to fight this debilitating condition.

You can’t always trust the number on the scale — Experts are quick to point out that even if you’re a healthy weight, you can still be unhealthy if you don’t have a balanced lifestyle.

Sit up straight! It’s not as easy as it sounds, but here are some tips for keeping your posture in check all day long.

Fallen off the New Year’s resolution wagon already? Don’t wait until 2011 to start fresh — Self’s Editor Lucy Danziger explains why you should have ‘Mulligan Mondays’ every now and then.

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Filed under: Advice, Health, Healthy Eating, Worrywart

Pre-washed bagged salads are one item busy eaters often depend on — they’re ready to go straight from the grocer’s refrigerator to your salad bowl in no time at all, providing you with a healthy and quick meal or side in less time than it takes to make toast. But there’s a price to this convenience, and according to recent studies by Consumer Reports, that price is a bunch of bacteria on your leafy greens. Even so-called ‘triple washed’ salads are far from squeaky clean.

Consumer Reports tested 208 containers of salad from 16 different brands. And what did they discover? “[We found] bacteria that are common indicators of poor sanitation and fecal contamination — in some cases, at rather high levels,” says the report. What’s more, the amount of bacteria seemed to rise depending on the “sell-by” or “best before“date — those that were furthest from this date by approximately six to eight days (i.e., the fresher ones) fared better than those that were coming up on theirs.

Continue reading Pre-Washed Salad With a Side of Bacteria?

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Heading to the slopes this winter? Helmets aren’t just for kids anymore — make sure you’re wearing one.

Despite the opposite often happening, recent research shows that people in their 20s need at least an hour more of sleep than people in their 60s.

OK, this is slightly(!) disturbing — experts are encouraging seniors to start dirty texting — or “sexting” — their partners. Dude, that could be your grandparents.

Drink up! Studies show that moderate alcohol consumption may protect against dementia. And, no, 12 shots of tequila does not count as ‘moderate.’

You’re mother was right — good posture matters. Perfect yours with these tips. (You were probably slouching until you read that, right?)

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Despite popular belief, comfort food can be healthy! You just have to make the right choices.

Studies show that people are just too darn busy to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day. Although I bet the same people weren’t too busy to catch the Grammy Awards or that new episode of Lost…

This just in: Surgeries to take care of man boobs (“Moobs”) are up by 80 percent. However, there’s no word on whether sales of the ‘Manzier’ or ‘Bro’ are up by a similar amount.

Who says you need to shun pasta when you’re dieting? Here are some slim-friendly Italian dishes that will satisfy your pasta cravings without packing on pounds.

You need to exercise your brain too! Here are some memory-building tasks to help flex your mental muscles.

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Filed under: Health

Airline seats are rarely comfortable (well, in coach, anyway), but if you’re one of the many people who are too large to fit within the confines of those tiny chairs, you’re entitled to double the space for the same price everyone else is paying (at least, according to the Sureme Court of Canada, anyway). Doesn’t seem fair, does it? Absolutely not! And that’s what the majority of air passengers told Skyscanner in a recent survey, according to reports from the National Post. In fact, 76 percent of people believe that airlines should start charging a “fat tax” for overweight and obese passengers.

Of course, it’s a bit of a tricky issue. “It’s not unreasonable for airlines to charge passengers extra if they occupy more than one seat,” said Barry Smith of Skyscanner. “On the other hand, many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers,” he added. But will that drive up the cost of air travel for the rest of us? Some have suggested the price of airline seats be calculated by the weight of the passenger and their luggage — though hopping on the scale at check-in sounds like a nightmare, too.

Continue reading Should Obese Air Travellers Pay ‘Fat Tax’?

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Hungry after a killer workout? New studies say you should avoid loading up on carbs post-gym session.

A healthy resolution for Heart Month? Stock up on cholesterol-lowering soy with these tips.
… Read more

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Filed under: Fitness

In the 1980s, Jane Fonda helped millions get fit with her peppy workout videos that made headbands, bright leotards and leg warmers synonomous with aerobics. But despite not having made a fitness video since VHS was the video player of choice, the … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Women (and men living with women) listen up: PMS can be eased with food. Here are some items to pick up on your next trip to the supermarket.

When it comes to fitness, your feet are much abused … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

There are a lot of fads out there, but want to know which diets are actually the healthiest? Health Magazine gives their take on the best way to slim down.

If you’re a woman in your twenties or … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love. Man alive! Recent studies show that humans are capable of running at speeds of up to 40 mph– that’s 64 kph! My top speed of 5.5 mph on the treadmill is feeling pretty slow right now …. Exercise … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Not sure what the deal is with these Omega 3s everyone is always talking about? Here’s the scoop on them — and some reasons why you need them.

Be careful in the bedroom — while regular sex is good for the body and soul, some positions can be bad for your health!

Ladies, tired of cramps? Yes, they’re a pain in the you-know-what (literally), but here are some tips for coping with cramps in a more productive way.

It’s true, women really do let themselves go when they get married — studies show they’re always a bit heavier than their unmarried counterparts.

Malls aren’t just for shopping anymore — The mall-walking fitness craze is not slowing down.

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Filed under: Health, Fitness

Feeling good about the bright red numbers on the display of the treadmill that boastfully proclaim that you’ve burned 578 calories on your epic run? Don’t get ahead of yourself — According to the Chicago Tribune, recent studies show that the number of calories that fitness machine says you worked off could actually be off by quite a bit. As in, as much as 30 percent off. So you may have only burned 405 calories — not even enough to burn off that bagel sandwich you had for breakfast!

Truth is, those gizmos and gadgets at the gym can only make an approximate guess at how many calories you’re burning. Some say the only real way to get an accurate measure of your caloric burn is by monitoring the heat produced by your body in a specially-designed lab, and that’s just not practical. So instead, your calorie burn is guesstimated by taking a few different factors into consideration — your weight, your heart rate and/or your oxygen consumption. In most cases — or at least with the ones I’ve used — machines at the gym only take into account your weight and sometimes your age and use that to determine your calorie burn based on averages. The result, as you might imagine, is not always reliable.

So how can you get an accurate reading on your workout? Some experts recommend the Body Bugg, which measures both your motion and the amount of heat you’re giving off. But there’s no device out there that’s 100 percent accurate, so you might want to forget about calorie counts and instead focus on making sure you feel challenged at every step of your workout.

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Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

This winter, if you’re not getting enough sun, take some vitamins — Regular doses of vitamin D can cut your cancer risk by 40 percent!

Want to see the world but don’t have anyone to go with? According to recent research, the price of travelling solo is coming down — finally!

It’s nice to have choices, but recent studies are showing that we have too much decision-making to do today, and it’s making us depressed.

Don’t feel bad for playing a bit too much Mario Kart — studies should that video games actually help make your brain bigger!

So is whole wheat really that much better than white? Here’s the deal on what’s in your bread.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Got a case of the January blues? Eat yourself happy with some tips on how food can boost your mood.

Here’s something I bet you thought you’d never see — Martha Stewart working out with a stripper pole. Though maybe it’s more a case of something you never wanted to see …

The most stressful time of the day? If you’re a mom, researchers have pinpointed it — 8:25 a.m. is when you feel the most harried.

Here’s a strange fact: Studies show that if your name is Andy or Sarah, you’re more likely than most to call in sick for work.

Get to know what different spots and bumps ‘down there’ mean, and hone your wart-spotting skills with this genital wart quiz. Warning — it’s not for the squeamish.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Is drunk skiing as dangerous as drunk driving? That’s what some experts in Europe are suggesting. Best to leave the partying for after the ski holiday.

Parents, you’re not totally to blame for your … Read more

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Filed under: Health, Fitness

Like most healthy-minded office dwellers, you probably do your best to make up for long days spent sitting at your desk by getting active on your own time — you go for walk, head to the gym on a regular basis and even try to take the stairs when … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Are you sick enough to skip a day at work? Here are some signs that you should definitely take some time to recover on the couch (darn, eh?)

I think we can all relate — Jessica Simpson recently admitted that posing alongside super-thin models made her so nervous about being judged, she almost threw up.

Got a case of the winter blues? Hit the gym — studies show that exercise helps, along with friends and light exposure.

When it comes to eating fruit, here’s why you should avoid freeze-dried and go for the fresh stuff.

Speaking of fruit, research shows that British people eat more take-out and TV dinners than fruit and veg. Are we much better in North America? What do you think?

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Filed under: Friends & Family, Healthy Eating

Turning down dessert is a pretty big victory for willpower, and one you should be proud of yourself for. But your friends might have also played a critical role in your healthy choice — according to recent studies, self-control is contagious. Whether you realized it or not, your friend turning down seconds probably influenced you to make healthier choices yourself. And vice versa — you could be helping your friends eat less without even realizing it. If so, good for you!

But the opposite is true as well — your friends could be influencing bad habits too. In fact, it’s estimated that having overweight friends can increase your risk of obesity by an astounding 57 percent — that’s even more than having an overweight spouse, which only increases your risk by 37 percent.

Still, you can’t blame your friends and family for your bad habits. In the end, the decision to supersize your meal or choose cake over vegetables is ultimately yours, but by making the healthier choice not only benefits you — it can have a positive influence on those who are closest to you as well.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Think you’ve got your sugar consumption under control? Think again — Dr. Oz uncovers secret sources of sugar that might be making you fat.

Pucker up and give your lips some love with these lip-healthy tips that will get your kisser in shape for smooching by V-Day.

Worried your wine habit might be getting out of hand? At least you don’t drink as much as Scottish people — studies show they consume 46 bottles of vodka a year … each! That’s nearly one a week.

Want to get your child off the couch? Here are some sneaky strategies to get kids moving.

When it comes to slimming down, most men agree that competing for cash is their greatest inspiration.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

In Winnipeg, Police officers want paid time off to go to the gym, arguing that many criminals are in better shape than them. Alternatively, they could just save their donut money and the cost might … Read more

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