Health Tip: Microwave Your Toothbrush

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:20:07 PDT

If you're like most people, you get a new toothbrush every six months, but you really should be changing your toothbrush more often, like every three to four months. When the bristles get worn and lose their rigidity, they don't remove plaque as well. But you should also do some maintenance within that three months, when your toothbrush is just sitting out in the open. After all, think about all the germs and bacteria floating around that would love to attach themselves to your moist toothbrush.

So to prevent colds, flu, and other sicknesses, Reader's Digest recommends that once or twice a week you run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for 10 seconds immediately before brushing. If someone in your home is sick, you may want to sterilize it in the microwave each time you brush. If you're the one who's sick, after the illness passes, ditch your old toothbrush and replace it with a new one.

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10 Apple-Inspired Snacks to Help Keep the Doctor Away

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:04:30 PST

Eating an apple a day may not prevent you from ever having to see your doc, but they are full of nutritional goodness: one medium apple is 95 calories with 4.4 grams of fiber and 195 milligrams of potassium. The high fiber content keeps you full, which helps prevent weight gain, and also keeps you regular, which results in a healthier body. Crunching on an apple is good for your smile because the fruit acts like a toothbrush, cleaning your teeth as you chew.

Another bonus is that apples are supersweet, so they're a healthier way to satisfy your sugar cravings. Here are 10 delicious, good-for-you snack ideas, all made with the goodness of apples.

Shredded apple mixed into plain yogurt
Warm apple toast made with whole-wheat bread, peanut butter, and sliced apples
Apple slices drizzled with honey and sprinkled with sliced almonds
Applesauce mixed in cottage cheese and sprinkled with Craisins
Baked apple filled with raisins, walnuts, and a little maple syrup
Diced apples sprinkled with cinnamon and warmed in the microwave
Apple, peanut butter, and pumpkin stacks
A piece of homemade apple cinnamon cake
Slices of apple paired with slices of Cheddar cheese
Apple chips made with apples, cinnamon, and sugar (using this recipe)