The American Cancer Society has reported that eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise can help to prevent cancer. Here are some of their guidelines in eating well to reduce your cancer risk:

A surprising new study has linked cola to osteoporosis in women. Findings indicated the type of cola did not matter, whether it was diet or regular. Other fizzing sodas did not have the same reaction in women as cola did. Scientists think the cause might be from the phosphoric acid found in cola. It seems the phosphoric acid can cause the body to excrete calcium from the body.

Women, talk to your doctor about your risk for osteoporosis. And to help prevent it, be sure to get plenty of calcium, exercise, and yes – avoid cola drinks!

Long drives can be difficult – especially if you have children or are traveling at the end of the day. The next time you find yourself feeling drowsy while driving, stop and get yourself a bag of sunflower seeds. As simple as it sounds, sunflower seeds require enough individual attention that they can help you to stay focused and alert while you drive.

Now a wonderful excuse to drink hot cocoa during the cold winter months. Research has shown that the antioxidants in cocoa are twice as strong as those found in red wine and green tea. And at only 100 calories per cup, a steaming cup of cocoa is a good choice for a yummy afternoon treat.

French scientists have found that a child's early exposure (including in utero) to pesticides may double the risk of developing acute leukemia. To help avoid pesticide exposure, buy organic fruits and vegetables. Although pricey, these are pesticide free and well worth the cost.

Fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides are apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries and spinach.

Those with the least amount of pesticide residue include asparagus, avocados, bananas, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet corn, kiwi, mango, onion, papaya, pineapples and peas.

If you have a tight budget, try to purchase the higher pesticide residue fruits and vegetables organically, to decrease your child's risk for developing leukemia.

Did you know your child's MP3 player or ipod could cause him or her permanent hearing loss? Research now shows that if you play a song at the maximum volume for as little as five minutes, it can cause hearing loss that can never be repaired. Apple.Com offers a volume control that you can download for free which will keep the sound at 60%. Unfortunately, there will probably be hacks created that your child can download to override this plug-in, so be sure to check every week or so to be sure the Ipod retains the volume control.

You get stung by a bee and what is the first thing you instinctively do? Either pick the stinger out with your fingers or run for the tweezers. What you may not know is this actually pushes more venom into your system! Think of the stinger as a syringe. If you squeeze it, the venom will flow out into your body. So the next unfortunate time you are stung by a bee or wasp, take a credit card or something flat and hard and push the stinger out. To do this, place the card against your skin and gently push the stinger out. Do not put pressure on top of the stinger - simply flick it out with the card.

A recent study found obese mice lived longer after ingesting a compound found in red wine - and not only that, it reduced the negative health effects of eating a high-calorie diet. This compound found in the red wine is called resveratrol.

Losing weight brings many benefits to your health. Resveratrol provides the same benefits without dieting in the rodents. Of course, these are mice - it may be years before it is even tested on humans. But the possibilities are exciting. Can resveratrol help to treat age related illnesses like Alzheimer's and heart disease? Only time, and lots of research, will tell. But in the meantime, why don't you pour yourself a nice glass of red wine for dinner!

Did you know you probably carry two things every day that are absolutely covered in unhealthy bacteria? Not only that, you put them on your counter, your kitchen table, and even hold one up to your mouth! You guessed it! Your cell phone and your purse. But read on to hear the whole scoop!

This year, microbiologists tested the bottoms of many women’s purses – from leather to vinyl. The results astounded even them. One out of four purses carried E Coli. Fecal matter was also found, as well as thousands of other germs, some of which cause colds and diarrhea. Think about where you put your purse, ladies… the kitchen countertop, the baby’s bed, the table… the thought is, well, unthinkable!

Purses can be cleaned with antibacterial wipes – and especially pay attention to leather purses, which carry the greatest amount of germs. Also, keep your purse off of the floors, particularly bathroom stalls.

Cell phones are just as bad in the germ department. Believe it or not, cell phones carry more germs than toilet seats! As you talk into the cell phone, germs are dispersed onto the phone. The heat of the phone is a bacterial breeding ground wonderland – so please, wipe down your phones every few days with alcohol wipes – you won’t be sorry!

Sure enough, that amazingly rich cup of java is actually good for you. A new study has shown that coffee helps to protect against quite a few ailments, from Parkinson’s disease to gallstones, cavities and even colon cancer. Drinking coffee can also lower your risk for type two diabetes and can even help to keep your liver healthy.

What makes coffee good for you? Some credit can go to the caffeine, but the majority of benefits result from the antioxidants found in the coffee bean. The coffee bean is actually considered a fruit, and packs even more punch than the grapes uses for red wine.

So enjoy your cup of coffee – and if the urge hits – go get a refill!

Ipods and storms simply don’t go together. This is particularly the case for 18-year-old Jason, who was recently struck by lightening while outside with his iPod. True, electronics do not necessarily attract lightening. But if you are indeed struck, your cell phone, pager or iPod can make it all the more worse.

Metal is an excellent conductor for electricity. So if lightening strikes, you are greatly increasing your chances for burns, jaw fractures and even dislocated ear bones if wearing an iPod or using a cell phone. Lightening has even run through a man’s pager, burning both himself and his nearby girlfriend.

So remember, as the summer storms blow strong, leave your electronic devices in the car. And if you are caught in a sudden thunderstorm, remove or drop these metal items as quickly as you can. After all, an iPod can be replaced, but your hearing can’t!

A recent study by the Annals of Plastic Surgery indicates women who undergo cosmetic breast implant surgery are three times more likely to commit suicide than other women.

Physicians who perform this surgery are urged to screen patients carefully for suicide risk before agreeing to the surgery.

Those reviewing the study believe some women who undergo breast implant surgery may have low self esteem or other psychiatric disorders, which can lead to suicide.

Interestingly, women with breast implants also show greater risk for death by alcohol or drugs.

Are you a smoker who has tried just about everything to quit? Don’t worry, there is still help out there!

There is a new drug called Varenicline that is currently considered the best tool on the market to help individuals quit smoking. Taken in a pill form twice a day, this medication can be used for up to 24 weeks.

Doctors believe Varenicline keeps nicotine from attaching to the brain’s receptors that are responsible for the “good feelings” you get when smoking. Furthermore, it chemically reduces your cravings for more. There is a possibility that this medication will also work with alcoholism, although these studies are not yet complete.

Studies show that 80% of smokers want to quit, for both financial and health purposes. If you are one of them, ask your doctor about Varenicline and other prescriptions and programs that will help you to kick the habit – for good!

Grapefruit is a popular healthy food eaten all over the world. Yet some should avoid eating this tasty fruit while taking certain medications.

Grapefruit can interact with many prescriptions, causing the medication to work incorrectly or not at all.

Some of the medications that are affected by grapefruit are:

Cholesterol-Lowering Medications:
Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor, Vytorin, Pravachol, Crestor, Lescol

Blood Pressure and Heart Medications:
Pletal, Procardia, Adalat, Plendil

Anti-Seizure and Sedative Medications:
Valium, Halcion, Carbatrol, Tegretol

Antidepressants:
BuSpar, Anafranil, Zoloft

Allergy Medications:
Allegra

HIV Medications:
Fortovase, Invirase, Crixivan

Immunosuppressant Medications:
Neoral, Sandimmune, Prograf

If you take any of these medications, it is best to completely avoid grapefruit. Of course, talk to your doctor about any prescription medication you are taking and ask what foods or other medications may cause interactions.

Nothing can hurt worse than a sting from a bee, wasp or hornet! But some of our home remedies can help to ease the pain caused by a recent sting.

Once you have removed the stinger, make a paste out of baking soda and water and place it on the stung area. This must be reapplied every 20 minutes, as the mixture hardens quickly.

Another common home remedy for stings involves placing a raw potato slice on the affected area.

Our favorite is a tried and true home remedy for stings. Thoroughly wet a teabag with warm water, and hold it to the sting for as long as you can. This not only eases the pain, but helps to draw out the venom. As funny as it sounds, our first aid kit contains a teabag - "just in case!"

Are you suffering from kidney stones and are worried about an upcoming surgery? Then you may be interested in a well known home remedy for kidney stones that has worked for countless people, completely eliminating the need for surgery.

Mix 2 oz olive oil with 2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice. Drink two to three of these during the day. Then drink a full glass of water before you go to bed. Lay on the opposite side of your kidney pain.

Many report that the stones have been dissolved and completely passed within two days of this treatment, some – within one! Of course, do not try this without first speaking to get getting approval from your doctor.

I have heel spurs and often have sore feet from work. On my birthday, my mother presented me with the hoMedics FM-CR Foot Pleaser Foot Massager.

She admitted she thought it might not work, but that it was worth a try to help my uncomfortable feet.

The hoMedics Foot Massager has a nice design with a well placed on/off button. You can turn the unit on to "massage only" or include heat with the massage. As for the massage? Absolutely wonderful!

The first time you place your feet on the massager, it will probably tickle. But if you hang on for a minute, your giggles will soon turn to a heavy sigh as your tooties are perfectly massaged by smooth, heated ball bearings. My entire family fought for time on the foot massager that night, and through the next day.

The massager's motor works well, however if you push down a little too much it will slow down. But for the price, I highly recommend the hoMedics Foot Massager. I can't write anymore because I have to go home and get a foot massage!

With so many stars and politicians causing world wide controversies, you may be surprised to find that a very common item in your kitchen is doing just the same - broccoli!

But what is the buzz all about? Microwaves! Recently, Portuguese researchers have claimed that microwaving broccoli can cause it to lose up to 97% of its beneficial antioxidants. That is a very significant amount, indeed. Antioxidants help to protect your body's cells from damage, and therefore are thought to keep cancer at bay. Additionally, blanching your broccoli before freezing will remove about one third of the broccoli's antioxidants.

Yet some scientists claim that boiling your broccoli in water can remove just as many healthful nutrients, almost implying that microwaving is better. So which theory is correct? It seems the common factor in each of these cooking methods is water. The more water you use in cooking broccoli, the more antioxidants can be lost.

If you aren't eating your broccoli raw, then it is probably best to steam it using your stovetop. Steaming will expose the broccoli to less water, and will also remove the possible microwave effects from the equation altogether. Happy steaming!

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it’s time to think red white and blue.. but popcorn!?

Yes, you can color your popcorn red, white and blue. You can also color your popcorn with any other of your choice. How? We’ve got two great ways. One flavored, one plain.

For the flavored popcorn, first pop your corn kernels. Then, make it into three batches. One will remain plain – that is your white. Then, for your blue popcorn, put it in an oven safe bowl and sprinkle blueberry gelatin on it. Sprinkle cherry gelatin on another oven safe bowl of popcorn. Place both the in a 350 degree preheated oven for 5 minutes. Take out and carefully stir.

For unflavored colored popcorn, coat your kernels with the color of your choice. Again, for the Fourth of July, try a batch of blue and a batch of red. But your choices are limitless! Try green popcorn for St. Patrick’s Day, red popcorn for Valentines Day… have some great colorful popping fun!

And remember, for fun and healthy popcorn popping, place your kernels with no oil in a brown paper lunch bag. Heat in the microwave until the popcorn is almost silent, but still popping. Always watch as it pops, and make sure an adult is there for each round of popcorn.