Daily Health News Blog

Here are some   updates on recent health and nutrition findings: Veggies improve dining experience According to researchers at Cornell University, adding veggies to your meal will improve your perception of dishes (compared to those served without vegetables) as well as your attitude toward the cook. “The results showed that meals were favored when a vegetable was included, such as steak vs. steak with broccoli, but also received better descriptions such as 'loving' for the same meal. They also chose much more positive descriptors for the meal preparer that served a vegetable, including much more frequent selection of 'thoughtful,' 'attentive' and 'capable,' accompanied by a decrease in the selections of 'neglectful,' 'selfish' and 'boring.'” So make sure to include vegetables in all your meals. Your family and friends will thank you. Green tea can decrease blood sugar spikes Penn State scientists found that when mice

If you have an elderly parent, you may find it challenging to know what to give for a holiday gift. These ideas will help get you started. Book holder Pill box with built-in timer Gripper socks Battery-powered playing card shuffler Playing card holder Filled photo album Foot massager Hands-free magnifying viewer Jet-powered spa insert Large button phone Weather alert radio Fleece shoulder wrap Electric blanket Telephone amplifier Magazine subscriptions New calendar Assorted greeting cards

Whether you are planning on hosting a crowd for your holiday get-together or you are anticipating a quiet holiday with family and friends, it is nice to have a clean and organized home for the holidays. Get a jump start on your pre-holiday housework and the task will seem more manageable. These tips will help you stay on top of your work, leaving you more time to enjoy the holidays. Tackle the big tasks first Launder and press your holiday table linens. Clean your oven and refrigerator well. Do a thorough dusting of your home, wash your windows, and do a general tidying of all the clutter. Spot clean your carpet. Clean bathrooms well. Move on to the smaller things Gather together the china and silverware you will be using. Plan your holiday menu and prepare any dishes that can be cooked ahead of time. Wash out trash cans as necessary. Sweep and mop floors.  Don't forget the little details On the day your guests are due to arrive, walk through your home and remove any remaining

BY ELIANA OSBORN Your extreme fatigue might be coming from one of these energy suckers: 1. Dehydration It turns out that even moderate dehydration (which results in the loss of 3 percent of your body weight) can make you feel mentally sluggish and mess with your concentration. The next time you're feeling foggy or lightheaded, don't just assume you're in serious need of some food. Try downing a glass or two of water. 2. Cell Phones Checking your cell before bed amps up brain activity, making it harder to doze off. Plus, any electronic gadget's artificial blue light can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin. A 2011 poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 20 percent of people ages 19 to 29 are awakened by a call, text, or e-mail at least a few nights a week. Power it down well before bedtime. 3. Medication Many drugs have veiled energy-sapping side effects. Chief among them are some classes of antidepressants and certain beta-blockers used to prevent m

There are some things in our lives that we just need to stop doing. They aren't good for us and they mess with our mindset. I don't know about you, but I have found that some things I have done for so long that I just do them without thinking. Yet, some of those same things are just ruts that we get in and can't get out of. A lot of them are about how we think about things. Here is a list of 7 things that we could SO do without! 1. Over-thinking things. How many times do you find yourself fixated on some thought or idea and you've thought about it so much that you have it totally out there like in fantasy world or something or get so worked up about something because you've imagined all sorts of imaginary happenings? Stop thinking so hard. I know this is one area I'm really needing to work on some more because the way I'm made up I tend to think and think and think about things. Thinking about things is good, but only if you keep it balanced.

Home fires that start with Christmas trees create a very hot blaze that can spread through a room in seconds. They are more deadly than typical fires. A National Fire Prevention Association study shows that one in 18 Christmas tree fires from 2005 to 2009 resulted in a death, compared with one in every 141 home fires overall. The US Fire Administration explains why it happens.  Trees provide an unusually large amount of fuel and can create a fire that can spread rapidly, leaving little time to get out of the house. They are especially deadly if they occur at night when people are sleeping. While this type of fire is fairly unusual, it is far more serious than any other type of house fire.  The number of Christmas tree fires has dropped in recent years, mainly because of improved public education, and increased use of less-flammable artificial trees. Many families still prefer a natural and traditional Christmas tree, and choosing one provides an annual family outing. 

Advice from the CDC: Wash your hands often  Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Stay warm  Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.  Manage stress  Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook and get enough sleep.  Travel safely by car  Whether you're traveling across town or across the country, take steps to ensure that your trip is safe. Don't drink and drive, and don't let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your child i