Speed Clean the Easy Way

Who doesn't want a spotless, sweet-smelling house? But when you hear that the wrong cleaning methods can cause allergies or asthma, or even spread disease-causing toxins through your home, suddenly a little mess doesn't seem so bad.
Some of the top immunologists, microbiologists, and cleaning experts gathered to find the healthiest ways to tidy your home.

Surprise: The safest way to clean can also be the quickest. Even better: It’s ok to leave behind a little grime!

Stay tuned to hear what they have to say.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Sugar continued

HFCS also affects the hunger hormone in your body known as leptin, which creates an increase in your appetite and causes people who eat foods with HFCS to overeat.

The bottom line is that your body processes both sugar and HFCS in the same way, and eating either can lead to obesity and diabetes. That means neither is healthier than the other. That's not to say you should ban all foods from your diet that contain sugar or HFCS, but try to eat less than 40 to 45 grams of added sugar a day. Read labels and look for the names sugar, HFCS, as well as anything with syrup or juice in the name, and anything that ends in -ose.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Sugar

You've probably seen those commercials boasting that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) isn't as bad for you as you think, since it's made from all-natural corn. It's misleading though because just like refined white sugar, HFCS is a highly processed sweetener. Both sugar and HFCS provide zero nutrition and loads of empty calories.

HFCS is more processed and it's cheaper than sugar so it's added to more foods. The campaign that's in favor of HFCS says it's OK to eat in moderation, but since it's found in so many foods, it's tough to avoid.

Stay tuned for more on the battle between sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

Blog for Your Health

Post two entries and call me in the morning! Blogging may help you reap many of the following benefits:

Sounder slumber: Blogging about your feelings can bring on relaxation, which helps usher in sleep.

Improved immunity: Expressive writing may encourage growth of white blood cells, which fight off infection.

A hardy heart: Writing about emotional topics may lower blood pressure and heart rate, keeping your ticker in better shape. Write from the heart! And no need to go public- a Web diary that's for your eyes only can still do you good.

Stay Healthy at Work

Green Thumb: Plants help keep office air clean (or remind you of cleaner air), plus, the colors of your favorite flowers can help spark creative juices.

It's all in the light: Overhead lighting create glare (it's also unflattering, which is bad for your self esteem!), so use desk lighting, or rely on natural sunlight whenever possible.

Skip "free" foods: Let's face it, nothing's free- that includes unhealthy meeting snacks or the bowl of M&Ms on the receptionist's desk. Instead, follow bring your own guilt free snacks, like nuts or berries.

Stay Healthy at Work

Staying healthy is a full-time job. Follow these tips to make your office work for you.

Ergonomics: Avoid pinched nerves and carpal tunnel syndrome by keeping your seat, keyboard and screen well positioned.

Work color into your office: “Cool” colors like lavender and blue may help reduce stress levels.

Picture it: Keep an image of a loved one, celebrated moment or favorite place visible to serve as an instant mood booster when low moments strike.

Stay tuned for more tips on sprucing up your work digs.

Mastering the Art of Thanks continued

Good fortune isn't written in the stars... it's in your notebook. Taking time every day to jot down some of the gift in your life (people, pleasures, talents, etc), makes those feelings feel more tangible. Not into journaling? Get the same effect by exchanging an email with someone you love.

Remember: every cloud has a silver lining. It's hard to feel fortunate when something is happening that's unfortunate. Instead of dwelling, tell yourself, "Yes, this is bad but at least I ___" and fill in something you're still happy about.

Mastering the Art of Thanks

According to Dr. Robert Emmons, author of THANKS!: How The New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, mastering the art of appreciation can make things start to look up…way up.

AIM for the moon: Use this acronym as your shortcut to a grateful place:

Awareness - focus on something good you normally take for granted.

Interpretation - imagine how a specific "burden" might actually be a blessing instead.

Memory - remember people before you who have helped make your life easier.

Stay tuned for more tips on mastering the art of appreciation.

Power Berries

For decades, many state governments held a ban on cultivating black currants due to concerns that the plant could spread a destructive tree fungus. Today, growing these tangy berries is once again legal in most of the country. With more vitamin c than oranges and antioxidant levels that rival those of blueberries, this nutrition hero delivers healthy doses of potassium, vitamin B6, and soluble fiber.

Look for fresh berries at the farmers' markets in late summer, or frozen berries year-round. You can also pick up black currant juice, soda or preserves to get your daily dose.

Restore Your Skin's Youthful Glow with Murad

If you're looking for an effective way to combat the effects of hormonal aging, look no further than Murad Resurgence. The entire Murad skincare and acne treatment line is packed full of only the highest quality ingredients to leave your skin feel touchable soft and visibly radiant.

The women of Hollywood accept only the best for their hair care and beauty products, and those like Josie Bisset and Joan Lunden credit Murad as their anti-aging secret. Murad Resurgence lets you take charge of the changes in your skin and restore your youthful glow.

Bewildering Spa Moments Explained

Tipping Point

Especially if you're getting more than one service, divvying up the tip can be a challenge, which is why many spa owners are happy to take over for you.

Just tell the owner what percentage you want to tip, and they'll add it on to your bill and distribute it to everyone for you. Your therapist will most likely be with a new client by the time you're ready to leave, so it wouldn't be possible to hand her a tip in person anyway.

The standard is usually 18%, 20% if you were particularly impressed with the service. It doesn't hurt to ask whether the gratuity is included, though. Some spas include it in the price of the treatment.

Bewildering Spa Moments Explained

The Chatterbox

Quite possibly the most bewildering of all bewildering spa moments, how to quiet the chatterbox and get a little peace with your spa treatment can be tougher than ever. If an aesthetician is giving you an earful about her family, her friends, her thoughts on global warming, take the most direct route. Say, "Actually, it's been a hectic day and I was really looking forward to just being quiet during the treatment". And just for the record, any aesthetician worth their salt should ask you if you want to talk or not during your treatment.

Bewildering Spa Moments Explained

When you go in for your facial or some body treatments, you'll likely encounter some form of product pitch, so be prepared. If the aesthetician starts mentioning products during your service, just say, "I'm happy to hear your recommendations, but I'm really here to relax, so please save them for the end."

After your service, if you don't want to purchase anything, ask the aesthetician to write down the products she's recommended and let her know you'll think it over. Once you say you're not interested right now, she shouldn't say another word. If they push it, you should consider telling the spa manager.

Bewildering Spa Moments Explained

It's hard to feel completely liberated from stress if you're facing a set of new dilemmas, like whether you're overdressed for your massage or under tipping your therapist. Sidestep these little land mines so that nothing sabotages your spa experience.

Take it all off (or don't)

For massages and body treatments, ideally you disrobe completely (that means underwear too). Know that you'll never be completely exposed; spa therapists are well-trained in the art of draping, so they'll uncover only the areas that they're working on. If you’re still uncomfortable, try a Thai massage or shiatsu, for which you wear your own loose-fitting clothing.

And don't be afraid to ask for a same sex therapist when you make the appointment if that makes you feel more at ease.

For a facial, take off your bra, (or at least the lower straps) before you slip into a robe so it doesn’t interfere with the neck and shoulder massage.

Fit to Eat

There are hundreds of varieties of this tiny fruit, but their nutrients remain largely the same. Compared to other fruits, the fig contains copious amounts of iron, potassium, and magnesium. It has nearly two grams of fiber per bite-sized fruit, and a half-cup serving contains as many milligrams of calcium as an equal amount of milk.

Abandon the forgettable blandness of the dried fig, and opt only for the fresh variety. The downside: fresh figs appear on early summer for a few short weeks, and later in the season of a longer, but still all too brief, spell.