> Vitamins 101: Which ones should you be taking, which ingredients to avoid, and tips on giving your body the nutrients it’s missing

> Print up this handy A to Zinc Vitamin Guide for quick reference.

> Feeling in need of a detox, but not interested in doing a diet cleanse? Try yoga instead. Did you know that many yoga poses are designed to squeeze toxins from your organs?

> Detox diet: Do or don’t?

> Engage in a little reckless dining recently? Perhaps nachos, wings, and beer at the pub? Is it really so terrible to eat unhealthy on occasion?

> We’ll let you in on a little secret: Some so-called “bad” foods are actually good for you!

> Try this healthy, gluten-free banana bread recipe (we added pear and coconut flakes!)

> If you have celiac disease, you know a lot of foods you can’t eat. What can you eat?

> Find out if getting in shape will boost your metabolism.

From the time I was baby until the age when I decided it was no longer cool, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go on annual vacations with my family.

While I have many fond memories of the trips themselves, thinking about the flying part can still make me cringe. That’s because I used to have agonizing ear pain during take-off and landing that would sometimes even last during the duration of the flight.

I can still recall the flight attendants rushing over to me with trays of candy and gum and cups of water – anything to quiet down my loud (and very annoying) cry. Luckily, I outgrew the ear pain and don’t have to worry about it when planning vacations.

Now all I have to worry about is the uncomfortable, cramped spaces. Oh yeah, and the hot, dry air. And don’t forget about jet lag and motion sickness. Okay, so air travel may not be the most luxurious thing in the world, but there are some things you can do to make it better. And remember, it will all be worth it once you’ve reached your destination!

You might also like to read
Take a visit to a travel clinic
How safe is it to fly during cold and flu season?
5 tips for being a fit flyer
How to have a healthy hotel stay
Do you need travel insurance?

The delicate, savoury flavour of salmon has turned many a seafood skeptic into a lover of sushi, sashimi, and salmon steaks and patties. It was one of the first fish I ever tried and enjoyed. And last night’s dinner - and today’s lunch leftovers - were a healthy hit and, as is often the case, I have salmon to thank for it.

Salmon added just the right silky texture and hearty protein I needed to balance out the al-dente soba noodles tossed with roasted sweet potato cubes and steamed chard and flavoured with ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame seeds. I turn to salmon because of its versatility and how easy it is to prep and cook. It soaks up flavours from whichever spices I choose and cooks nicely whether grilled, barbecued, poached, or baked (my favourite).

If you’re stumped at the seafood section and wondering whether to choose farmed or wild-raised salmon, know that you’ll get a heap of healthy benefits from either variety. Research has shown, though, that wild salmon slightly edges out farmed salmon in a risk vs. benefits analysis.

Why salmon is so swell:

- Salmon is a very lean protein: At only 261 calories per 4oz serving (slightly more than suggested serving size of 3oz), salmon supplies 76% of your daily protein and 87% of your daily omega-3 fatty acids.

- That same 4oz of salmon provides more than 100% of your daily vitamin D needs.

- For those concerned about mercury levels in seafood can rest assured: Salmon contains very low levels of mercury. For more safety, selection, and storage info keep reading …

Back in high school, I remember a rumour buzzing around gym class about a girl who’d supposedly had sex with her boyfriend during her period. How such a rumour got started, who knows. All I knew was I’d never heard of such a thing and recall being a little grossed-out at the prospect. “Who’d want to mess around then?” I wondered, but figured “To each their own, right?”

It was the 90s, and safe sex was a big topic, so we all agreed they must’ve used a condom. Still, someone asked the big question: Can a girl get pregnant if she has sex during her period?

I’ll admit that at the time I was not 100% clear on the whole timing element of fertility, so when all the other girls said, “Nahhh, couldn’t happen”, I went along with that thinking. Were the girls in the locker room right? Is a woman pregnancy-proof during her period? [Read more →]

Recent news that there have been almost no cases of seasonal flu has begged experts to wonder where it went this year.

Provincial labs testing for flu have indicated it’s been weeks since there has been a positive test for either H1N1 or seasonal flu. In fact, the Public Health Agency of Canada officially declared the end of the second wave of H1N1 at the end of January.

Large media coverage and awareness campaigns may have been the reason that H1N1 has disappeared. People were taking the necessary precautions to prevent catching the flu and were getting vaccinated.

But how to explain the disappearance of the seasonal flu? [Read more →]

Almost time for a spring cleaning blitz? Need to tackle the mess and muck and mountain of products in your bathroom? Brushes and bottles and tweezers and clippers and files - oh my. Some things you may be thinking about this weekend as you sort through your medicine cabinets and makeup bags:

> “Whoa - am I a product junkie?”

> “Ewww, what kinds of germs may lurk in my cosmetics case?”

> “How old is this toothbrush anyway? And just how clean is this hairbrush?

> “Should I flush these expired aspirin?”

> “How many stinky, sweaty details can I learn about antiperspirant and deodorant?”

> “Do I trim my toenails the right way?”

> “Yuck - so much hair down the drain! Why don’t I shed at a certain season each year, like sheep and poodles?“

> You know how back in the day young women would get out of unwanted dates by saying, “I simply can’t - I’m busy washing my hair”? Do you think I could get out of a date with this one? “Oh, I can’t go out, I’m checking my nails for 6 surface and colour changes that may signal an underlying health issue - sorry!”