Using the stairs instead of the elevator is a great way to burn some extra calories while on the go, but you can also use your stairs at home for working out. It's a perfect way to get your heart rate up in the Winter without having to brave the cold, not to mention it's completely free. While trudging up and down stairs is itself a major workout for your legs, you can work your upper body too by holding a weighted medicine ball ($17). If you don't have a ball, use a set of dumbbells or a kettlebell.

Just hold the weight in front of your chest, or straighten your arms over your head for a real challenge, and go up and down the flight of stairs 10 times. When going up the stairs, skip every other step to make it even more difficult for your quads and booty. Move at a slower pace as you go down the stairs to prevent putting too much pressure on your knees. Not only does this workout require no electricity, but it's also a great way to warm up without having to turn up the heat in your home. Two green reasons rolled up in one great exercise.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a national salmonella outbreak. This recent outbreak is caused by the strain salmonella Typhimurium, which also caused an outbreak back 2006. As of Sept. 3, at least 388 people have become infected with this strain of salmonella, sending just under 70 people to the hospital to seek treatment. The majority of the cases are focused in California, Ohio, and Minnesota, but the public health departments of 42 states are participating in the ongoing investigation.

The cause of the outbreak is still undetermined, but the best way to avoid the bacteria is to thoroughly cook meat, poultry, and eggs, wash your hands thoroughly and often when cooking, and keep produce and meat separate during food preparation. Most people experience symptoms eight to 48 hours after becoming infected.

I sure do hope none of you will need to change your negative answer on my poll about food poisoning.

You probably have a list of foods you try to avoid because you know they're not good for you (or your waistline). Wouldn't our lives would be much easier if the foods that were healthy for us were the decadent and savory foods we craved? Imagine lusting for steamed broccoli instead of a slice of chocolate cream pie! Unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way. So tell me, which foods do you hate, but force yourself to eat because you know they're nutritious?


Source

By now you've probably heard about Oprah's 40 pound weight gain. She's been extremely open and honest about "falling off the health wagon" and is back to the weighing the dreaded 2-0-0. Her thyroid problem is not the cause of the weight gain or simply over eating. Oprah abused food. When she couldn't satisfy her metaphoric hunger for life balance, she ate and didn't know when to stop. Take a look at the video below to hear her explain.

When it comes to losing or maintaining a healthy weight, although it is difficult you have to put yourself first. A spare hour for exercising isn't just going to magically appear in your schedule. You have to carve out the time, whether it means setting your alarm earlier, hitting the gym on your lunch break, or taking on less commitments.

To see Oprah's plan to help her stop abusing food and regain order and balance in her life, read more