savvy health

I frequently write about the challenges moms face in terms of getting healthy (and staying there). One of the things I’ve been thinking about recently is the challenge of Me Time. On my personal blog, I shared a little story last week: What I learned about Me Time (and about myself) when my husband and kids … Continue reading »

Are the bags under your eyes bigger than the purse you carry? Are your dark circles heading into Rocky Horror Picture Show territory? The tissues around our eyes are a highly responsive area of our faces–all our woes, illnesses, and sins show up there. On YMC I posted a two-part series recently, on a very pesky health/beauty problem: under-eye bags, … Continue reading »

It’s rare for me to meet a parent who is unfamiliar with bedtime battles. This age-old struggle is crazy making, to be sure. I have known a lot of trying situations in my life, but very little compares to the relentless frustration of trying to wrestle my toddler into bed, night after night. Can you relate? … Continue reading »

I love dining in restaurants. I mean, delicious food professionally prepared just for me, while I relax and sip my wine…and someone else washes the dishes afterwards? Yes, please. But…I don’t necessarily love what restaurants do to my waistline. Or my heart health. And a little carrot icon next to a supposedly-healthy menu item is totally not enough for me … Continue reading »

Whether you love Valentine’s Day, or whether you loathe it…everyone can appreciate a little health boost now and then, am I right? Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand. Feeling a little guilty about your favorite indulgence? Don’t. Here’s why chocolate is good for you. (Yes, you read that right.) And speaking of pleasurable indulgences…here’s … Continue reading »

I’m preparing a workshop called Stress Detox that I’m giving next week, so I’ve been thinking about stress a lot lately. It’s a topic I’ve written about many times in the past…but looking back on my old posts, I think I’ve neglected to give an overall view of my approach to stress management. In the past few … Continue reading »

There’s no shortage of opinions on the flu shot out there. Some of them rather loudly voiced. And many of them entirely conflicting. Which, for most of us, can lead to a whole lot of confusion. On my Yummy Mummy Club blog, I took a deep breath and waded into the debate. If you’re undecided … Continue reading »

A new study was released recently that makes a connection between the regular intake of berries, like strawberries and blueberries, and a reduced risk of heart attacks in women. The study was big: 93,000 subjects strong. The timeline was long: the women were monitored for a period of 18 years. And the benefit was significant: heart … Continue reading »

Passport To Health is one of my favorite topics…it allows me to talk about two things I love: health and travel. As I’ve said before, we North Americans may be many things, but one thing we’re not? Svelte. Fact is, we can learn a lot from other countries. (And shamelessly steal their health secrets.) Today, … Continue reading »

Maybe you don’t like the word “resolution”. Lots of people don’t. And, of course, we all know the failure rates of New Year’s resolutions. It’s a running joke, right? But you can’t deny that January has a whole fresh-start vibe. Is there a way to take advantage of that without doing the old-school resolution thing? … Continue reading »

The holidays are the perfect time for charitable acts. And this year, in particular, it feels like exactly the right thing to do. Whether it’s volunteering, helping, or donating–it just feels good, right? Well, I’d like to draw your attention to a little side benefit of altruism: research is showing that people who help others actually … Continue reading »

There’s nothing quite like illness to wreck your holidays, am I right? Give yourself the gift of health this year. Here are my thoughts on how to stay healthy this holiday season: Avoid colds & the flu. Seems like everyone is sniffling, sneezing, or coughing. Viruses are a fact of life in the winter, but does … Continue reading »

I’ve been thinking about doing a post about gluten for a long time. Because it’s HUGE. There’s so much hype, so much mis-information, and more than a smidge of controversy when it comes to gluten. You might have noticed gluten-free *everything* these days. (Even gluten-free cosmetics? Um, what?) So when my lovely editor at YMC … Continue reading »

I have written about cancer in the past (how to prevent it, what foods help fight it, new research into prevention…), and I’ve certainly touched on the fear of cancer in previous posts (and TV appearances!). But today, on Yummy Mummy Club, my post is all about the fear of cancer. That’s because the fear of … Continue reading »

(One of my favorite old posts…please indulge me in this re-boot, as I’m busy writing like mad, lost in fictional worlds…) Used to be, all fats were considered bad. We gobbled down low-fat versions of everything, assuming this was the path to true health. This was not a good time in dietary history, as far as I’m … Continue reading »

Yesterday I wrote a post called Stress Relief For Moms in 60 Seconds Flat. The rationale: moms typically have stupid amounts of stress. But also: no time. Sure, it would be great to decompress on a regular basis with standing appointments at the spa, daily trips to the yoga studio, etcetera. But who has the time for … Continue reading »

You may know that I’m busy writing away in the wee hours of the morning (in fact, I just got the go-ahead from my publisher, Kensington, to reveal the title of my first novel! Too fun.). As a result, however, I’ve been drinking just a *tad* more coffee than usual. Can you say: heartburn? Which, … Continue reading »

A study came out in the September online issue of Preventive Medicine showing that 2.5 to 7.5 hours of exercise each week is good for your mental health. No surprises there, right? But, in the study population (of over 7,500 adults), people who exercised more than 7.5 hours a week had a dramatic increase in symptoms of … Continue reading »

You might have heard this: red wine is good for your health. But is it true? And what does it do for you, exactly? I’ve talked about wine before, on this blog, but I had the feeling a more comprehensive roundup of wine’s health benefits was warranted. Are you a wine lover? Curious about the specifics … Continue reading »

(A re-run of one of my fave topics…) Do you eat for comfort? If we’re honest, most of us could say yes to this question. The RARE indulgence (say, for example, a nose-dive into a pint of Haagen-Dazs dulce de leche in front of an open freezer door after ending a 4.5-year-long toxic relationship with a total narcissist and cat-hater…ahem…) is … Continue reading »

Feeling “tired all the time” is a modern-day plague. It’s rare that I meet someone who doesn’t describe this feeling. Seriously. So what’s up with that? Well, I have some thoughts. And on my Yummy Mummy Club blog I’ve broken down 10 über-common reasons for that feeling of fatigue. You can read all about them, here, and … Continue reading »

Now I hope this doesn’t cause anyone to lose sleep…but a recent study has shown that people with high blood pressure who also suffer insomnia are much more likely to have resistant high blood pressure (meaning, the kind we just can’t control with medication). Which, to me, adds to the growing body of research that demonstrates the … Continue reading »

So, all you ladies out there in your 40s…feeling tired or crabby? Period doing wacky things? Have you wondered if it might be (gasp!) the onset of menopause? Likely, you have an inkling there’s change on the horizon, maybe not right away, but someday… But what do you really know about perimenopause? Has anybody ever talked … Continue reading »

First, an announcement: I recently started a new blog…over at kimfosterwrites.com. And the main reason for that: I have a book deal!  *pops champagne* For a long time I’ve been a closet novelist. I’m talking years of scribbling away and inhabiting the imaginary worlds of my brain. At long last, just this past July, my agent landed … Continue reading »

An anti-inflammatory lifestyle has become something of an obsession for me. It was thrust upon me, really, after a health incident that caused me to take a very hard look at my own lifestyle. Chronic inflammation is at the root of many of our disease processes, as we’re only just beginning to understand. I blogged about … Continue reading »

I’m always happy to report when there’s good news about chocolate. And here’s the latest: a recent study found an association between chocolate consumption and a reduced risk of stroke. The study was conducted in Sweden and examined the dietary habits of more than 37,000 men aged 45-79. Researchers found that the men who ate … Continue reading »

A recent study showed that people in their 40s with a wide circle of friends have a greater sense of well-being than those without close friendships. (As a side note, the researchers behind this study are calling these ages ”mid-life” which, PS, people: I staunchly refuse to do. Hovering, as I am, close to 40 I will probably … Continue reading »

A very interesting report was published recently about the power of the mind-body connection (something I’m a big believer in). You’ve probably heard about the placebo effect: the fact that some patients will feel better on a medication, even if there’s no active ingredient–a phenomenon that provides strong evidence for the mind-body connection. But the dark side of the placebo … Continue reading »

We already know that wine is full of antioxidants, is good for your heart, and reduces your risk of stroke…but now a recent study has suggested that wine may actually improve your bone health, too. I’m going to go ahead and file this news under Y for Yesss. In fact, this isn’t the first study to … Continue reading »

I have long maintained that stress is a major, under-recognized trigger for illness and unwell. I have little doubt that stress contributed to my own health crisis. And now, an important study has come out validating that connection. The study was published this week in the British Medical Journal. It was a large study, looking at … Continue reading »

Squeezing exercise into a busy life is challenging. I know. Trust me. So, I’m always on the lookout for easy ways to boost activity. Here’s one: clip on a pedometer. A recent study in New Zealand showed that making this one little change–just the simple act of wearing a pedometer–almost doubled walking rates in the 300+ subjects they … Continue reading »

Is your job stressing you out? And worse–is it damaging your health? A study was published recently to show that women with more job stress have higher rates of heart disease. “Women who had high-strain jobs had a 40% higher likelihood of having a cardiovascular event compared to women who were in the low-strain category,” … Continue reading »

I get a lot of headaches. Everyone manifests their stress in different ways (crappy sleep, for example, or an irritable gut…) but I carry mine squarely in my neck and shoulder muscles. Which, consequently, translates to frequent tension headaches. I’ve also had the distinct displeasure, in recent years, of experiencing migraines. Now that’s some nasty pain. I have newfound sympathy for … Continue reading »

In my first post on this topic, Passport to Slim: Weight Loss Secrets from Around the World, I talked about how (and why) other countries kick our butts all over the place in terms of staying trim & healthy. But there’s no need to despair–we can (shamelessly) steal those ideas, and use them for our own … Continue reading »

I write about happiness a lot. That’s because there is a pretty fascinating connection between health & happiness. And the good news? There are many things you can do to improve your own happiness level. It’s well within your control. Recent research is proving this, but truth be told, it’s something we’ve long known. Aristotle knew … Continue reading »

This was one of my very first posts…and since I happen to be in France right now on a family vacay I thought it a good time to re-run this favorite of mine: Wouldn’t it be fabulous to indulge in buttery croissants and triple crème brie, all while maintaining a size four silhouette and the blood … Continue reading »

Okay, now for a little controversy. Is sea salt a healthier option than table salt? You might be surprised to hear this, but no. It is not. And that’s because sea salt and table salt have the same chemical composition. They are both composed almost 100% of two elements: sodium, and chloride. They are both … Continue reading »

We’re all “busy”. But sometimes things get particularly frantic. And when that happens, what’s the first thing to suffer? Yep, your health. Are you guilty of the following health mistakes when the going gets tough? Let me flip things around for you, and show you a different way of thinking about each of these faux pas.  … Continue reading »

Skipping vacations may make you feel better in the pocketbook department…but did you know it’s a bad idea for your health? Over on my blog on Yummy Mummy Club I recently wrote a post about the health dangers you’re flirting with if you neglect to take a vacation now and then. You can read it … Continue reading »

You’ve resolved to stick to your diet. You’re feeling strong. And then…someone offers you a slice of your favourite: sticky-sweet pecan pie. Or a second helping of divine, cheesy, homemade lasagna. How do you attempt to resist temptation? If you’re like most people, you put on a pained expression, stick out your hand, shake your … Continue reading »

Yesterday I was on Breakfast Television Vancouver again, this time chating with the lovely Jody Vance about keeping your skin healthy in the sun (in spite of the pouring rain in Vancouver yesterday!). You can see the clip here (and watch me squeeze sunscreen into a shot glass…)

In my last post I talked about a few ideas to help you trim down for summer—and, more particularly—for swimsuit season. So, once you finally feel ready to brave the great outdoors in nothing but a few bits and pieces of fabric…you’re going to need to think about the sun. For some of you, there will … Continue reading »

Summer is on its way. And with those blossoming trees and wafts of warm air, thoughts turn to the inevitable: swimsuit season. I don’t know if this induces shudders in you, but it certainly does me. I’ve long believed they use funhouse mirrors in swimsuit changerooms, you know the kind that make certain bits look too big, … Continue reading »

Are you getting enough vitamin D? Probably not. Would you feel any symptoms if you had low levels? Nope. Does it matter? Big. Fat. Yes. I have covered this topic before. But it’s so near and dear to my heart that I think it warrants a re-visit. Over on my blog on Yummy Mummy Club, … Continue reading »

It was exactly a year ago when everything changed for me. On May 10, 2011 I logged on to check my bloodwork results. I scrolled down, and stared at the screen. And the floor dropped out from under me. I had a positive result. Which, in the medical world, is a very big negative. I … Continue reading »

If I had a nickel for every person who said “I’m just so tired…” Wait a sec. I do have a nickel for everyone who says that. And that’s because it’s one of the top reasons people visit their doctor. Fatigue is ubiquitous, you guys. If I could bottle energy, I could retire right now and … Continue reading »

Yesterday was Daffodil Day–which means it was the big day for cancer awareness in Canada, as designated by the Canadian Cancer Society. I was honoured to be invited, for the occasion, to appear on Breakfast Television Vancouver to talk about cancer. Specifically, we focused on ways you can protect yourself from cancer. Click this link to watch the segment. … Continue reading »

April is Cancer Awareness Month. (Watch for me on Breakfast Television in Vancouver on Friday morning, we’re talking about cancer prevention!) Here, I’ve rounded up a few delicious things that can help you prevent cancer. Feast on these: Garlic Garlic is bursting with phytonutrients and antioxidants. Several large studies have found that people who eat more garlic have a lower risk … Continue reading »

Most people experience stress at one time or another. So how do you cope? Many of us feel somewhat powerless in the face of stress, especially if it’s due to circumstances we can’t change. Does that mean you just have to suffer? No way. What you need is a strategy. Over on Yummy Mummy Club, I … Continue reading »

Most of us (me included) don’t have great posture. We slump in our chairs, we hunch over smartphones, we don’t stand as straight as we should. And it’s a problem that’s not going to get better anytime soon. Computers, iPhones, sedentary desk jobs…they all conspire to keep us slouching through our day. And here are some of … Continue reading »