For the most part, Vermont is a rather peaceful state. I rarely see our state mentioned in the national news. Days tend to go by at a slower pace than in many other states I've visited. There's little hustle and bustle, practically no traffic, and a lower crime rate than many people have to deal with. Sometimes, Vermont manages to make it to the front page of the national news sites. Tuesday was one of those days. Aid In Dying Passed In Vermont Vermont is the fourth state to pass death with ... Continue Reading
Aid In Dying Passed In Vermont

Vermont is the fourth state to allow for “death with dignity.”
Coffee: Healthy Indulgence or Necessary Evil?

Learn about the benefits of coffee in helping lessen your chance of diabetes and a stroke.
As a busy mom, there is one thing that I rely heavily on to get me through each day ... coffee. I know that in an ideal world, I would get eight hours of sleep every night and I would wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the world. Unfortunately, I do not live in an ideal world and I don't get anywhere near as much sleep as I should each night. I work from home and that means that you often find me at my desk at 5AM or 11PM. Coffee helps wake me in the morning when I first get up and it ... Continue Reading
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts With Balsamic Vinegar

A tasty take on the healthy vegetable.
Brussels sprouts can be an acquired taste for some. But half the battle is knowing how to cook them properly. Some people just drop them in a pan of boiling water and boil them until there is very little of the delicious taste left to them. Soggy, bland Brussels sprouts are not high on anyone's list of most popular foods. But they should be. Here are just a few reasons why: Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family just like broccoli, kale and cabbage and are ... Continue Reading
9 Oils For Cooking: Replace the Vegetable Oil

Learn the health and taste benefits of using a variety of oils.
Growing up, oil meant my Mom's basic vegetable oil she used for everything. Nowadays we are lucky to have the options of so many healthy oils to use for cooking and dipping - and even for our skin and hair. But with so many choices it's hard to know what to buy. It helps to know the benefits and uses of each type. Having a variety on hand is a great idea, since some are best on salads and others for high heat cooking. Below we'll explore nine of the most popular oils. Olive Oil - The Queen ... Continue Reading
Waste Of a Ban: Sugary Drinks

NYC is banning the sale of anything larger than a 16 ounce sugary beverage in their restaurants, theaters, etc. Will it make an impact?
Today (Tuesday, March 12th) marks the date that New York's ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces begins. In an effort to battle obesity, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has instituted a ban on large sizes of sugary drinks. You will no longer be able to go into your favorite sandwich shop and order a 20 ounce soda with your meal when dining in NYC. This change is causing many restaurant owners to edit their menus and the decrease the sizes of their beverages in order to be in ... Continue Reading
Turn Up The Heat: Steam Your Way To Good Health

Enjoy the health and skin benefits of regular visits to the steam room.
A steam room may be a place you go to relax and stretch your muscles after an intense workout. Or it may just be a nice escape from a hectic day. But, there is more to the steam room than meets the eye. In fact, in many countries around the world, a steam room is used for medicinal purposes. Many holistic doctors still tout the benefits of incorporating a steam room into your regime for health. What can you expect in a steam room? If you've never been in a steam room it can sound a little ... Continue Reading
Go Mediterranean: Pros of the Mediterranean Diet

What exactly is the Mediterranean diet – and is it worth following?
The Mediterranean Diet is all the rage, but what is it? Is it healthy? Is it a fad? As someone who has struggled to keep their weight down for most of her adult years, I am always curious about new diets. Some of them seem more believable than others. I try to avoid the ones that seem too good to be true and instead focus on diets that are healthy and contain foods from all of the food groups. I've always thought that completely eliminating one food group from my diet probably isn't the ... Continue Reading
Toxic Troubles: Is Your Home Making You Sick?

Watch out for hidden toxins in your home.
I like to think of my home as a refuge. It's where I return at the end of a busy day to relax and unwind. It's where I feel safe when the weather is bad outside. But what if your home wasn't really as safe as you thought it was? What if your home had hidden dangers that you weren't aware of and weren't prepared for? Is your home making you sick? There are several toxins you may be exposing yourself to unknowingly in your home. Here are a few things that you should be aware of. Your ... Continue Reading
Dying to Survive: Pharmaceutical Testing On Children Across the Globe

Is drug testing by pharmaceutical companies overseas ethical and relevant?
With profits reaching into the billions, the United States pharmaceutical industry is one that continues to try to grow and expand. Pharmaceutical companies rely on doctors, the medical community, the FDA, and CDC to promote the safety of their drugs as well as encourage the use of their products. How do they do this? The answer is through drug trials. These drug manufacturers must prove that their solutions are both safe and effective before they can hit the marketplace and reap big profits. ... Continue Reading
Stay Heart-Healthy: Good Foods For Your Heart

Add some of these heart-healthy foods to your grocery list this new year.
Foods that are deemed "good for your heart" will be making a more frequent appearance on my grocery list this year. At 46, I like to think that I'm in fairly good shape. I try to watch what I eat and am reasonably active. Unfortunately, over 50 million people in the U.S. have high blood pressure, making it the most common heart disease risk factor. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country. These figures are enough to make me sit up and take notice. As I get ... Continue Reading