According to Donate Life America, there are currently over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around what 100,000 people really looks like. So, I try to relate those numbers to something I’m familiar with – like sports! Here's a few facts to think about.... [More]

Every August I go camping with good friends from high school. Each year someone picks a different location we haven’t been to yet and we plan a long weekend full of hiking, boating, badminton (I’m probably the worst player in the group), and swimming. Judging how full the campsites are each year I think many families choose this time to squeeze in some last minute vacationing in the great outdoors (great movie, by the way!). If your family or friends are planning on camping, here are some tips to make your camping trip a safe one.... [More]

We’ve all heard of first-hand smoke, which is the smoke a smoker inhales through a cigarette or pipe, and the health risks it poses to the smoker. And, naturally, we’ve also heard of second-hand smoke, which is the smoke inhaled from the exhaust of a cigarette, and the health risks it can cause to smokers and non-smokers in the vicinity. But many have not heard of a new term that is popping up in conversations: third-hand smoke... [More]

There are a lot of different diets out there, as I’m sure you are aware. In fact, it seems like anytime I turn on TV, a new diet is making waves in Hollywood! With so many diets, though, most of us are left wondering what is the difference between all of them? Which one works the best? When it comes down to it, most will all will aid in weight loss... [More]

Lately, I have been eating a lot of fish. Living in Wisconsin, it doesn’t matter where you go out to eat on Friday nights, fish is on the menu. Salmon, shrimp, trout, tilapia – I love them all! Fish not only tastes great but it it’s also high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids which makes it a healthy addition to most meals. Fish does contain mercury, however, and if a person has too much mercury built up in their body it can cause damage to their kidneys and brain over time... [More]

One of my good friends is in the process of buying a new home. He’s really excited about the upcoming purchase, but a few days ago he asked me what I thought about getting the home tested for radon. We both decided to do some research and see if testing was necessary. We found out it certainly was! In fact, after what we discovered, I even decided to test my own home for radon... [More]

I recently had a reader ask me about ear candling. Have you heard about this practice? If not, here’s a little background. Ear candling involves lighting a candle near your ear with the intention of warming up your earwax. By doing so, the thought is that it will make the wax softer and easier to remove. Sounds interesting, but does it work? And, more importantly, is it safe?.. [More]

As a conscious consumer I like to be aware of what foods are best for me. This means that when I’m at the grocery store, I am always seeking out foods with the best health benefits. Ultimately, this is all part of my goal to a healthy diet. Recently, with this goal in mind, I’ve decided to incorporate organic foods into my meals... [More]

This past year, like a lot of people I know, I really got into watching the Winter Olympics. Some nights I found myself cheering for athletes competing in sports I’ve never even heard of before! Take, for example, the sport of skeleton. Competitors in skeleton lay face-first down on a luge sled and hurtle down a bobsled track at speeds up to 80 miles per hour. The true challenge in the sport is that this little sled has no steering mechanisms; athletes steer through their body movements alone... [More]

Have you heard of the new Sketchers Shape-ups yet? Lately, it seems like I’ve been seeing them in magazine ads, TV commercials and displays everywhere! Sketchers claim that if you wear these “miracle shoes” you’ll have more toned and strengthened leg, back, buttock and abdominal muscles. All of these benefits from a pair of shoes?! As with any new product I was a little skeptical... [More]