New Articles and Blogs

How to Quit Being Negative and Get Happy In this week's healthy news roundup, learn how to get happy, find out what heels do to your feet, and why flip-flops can pose a hazard to drivers. 9/7/2013
6 Races So Fun, You'll Forget You're Exercising! Does your exercise routine need a pick-me-up? Try one of these unique and fun races for a little something out of the ordinary! 9/6/2013 10:00:00 AM
Safe Chew Toys for Dogs Offering your pet an approved chew toy can help prevent him from tearing up your favorite pair of shoes or a chair leg. However, many things that seem like perfectly acceptable options can actually present dangers to dogs. 9/5/2013
Caring for a Loved One Who Has the Flu Despite our best efforts at prevention--hand scrubbing, disinfecting, coughing into elbows, avoiding handshakes--a virus sometimes weasels its way in. Follow the tips below to prevent the flue from spreading and learn how to care for a loved one with the flu.   9/5/2013
10 Salt-Free Herb & Spice Blends Herbs and spices are the easiest way to impart flavor to food, but they also tend to give novice cooks anxiety. Out of all of those little green flakes and brown powders, how are you supposed to know which ones go with which foods? And is it worth buying a whole jar if you only need a pinch for a recipe? Many cooks turn to pre-made seasoning blends and packets as shortcuts, but those are not only pricey--they can also be loaded with salt and other additives. Making your own herb and spice blends is easy, and you stay in control of the sodium. Your health and your taste buds will thank you!

Here, we've gathered 10 of our favorite seasoning blends that you can make yourself. 9/4/2013 3:36:00 PM
11 Surprising Foods You Can Make in a Slow Cooker Everyone knows that slow cookers are the secret to fall-off-the-bones, juicy, succulent meats (and all you have to do is set it and forget it). But the fact that this countertop appliance can cook up three meals a day, sweet and savory alike, is not widespread knowledge. We're about to change that. Read on for 11 recipes you likely didn't realize you could make in the slow cooker. 9/4/2013 3:05:00 PM
13 Fun, Interactive Dinner Party Ideas Does the idea of hosting a dinner party send you into a panic? You're not alone. When it comes to entertaining, the focus should be on fun--not perfection. In lieu of the traditional, sit-down dinner party, which puts all the stress of the food prep on you, opt for a casual, interactive feast instead. Assign guests to bring an ingredient or a dish, and make dinner a DIY activity. Here, we've compiled a baker's dozen ideas for casual, collaborative dinner parties.
9/4/2013 1:02:00 PM
9 Alcohol-Free Party Drinks Whether you're the designated driver or just choose not to imbibe, non-alcoholic beverages can be downright dull. We're committed to changing that, one mocktail and flavored water at a time. No matter the occasion, we have the perfect sip! 9/4/2013 12:13:00 PM
The 12 Most Inspiring Quotes from Diana Nyad At 64 years old, Diana Nyad swam for 53 straight hours from Cuba to the Florida Keys--all without a shark cage. Here are some of her best words of wisdom to live by! 9/4/2013 6:00:00 AM
New on SparkPeople Radio: Banning Phones at Races Don't miss this week's episode of SparkPeople Radio. Lily and Karen interview a woman who's lost 100 pounds and discuss a dangerous trend in racing. 9/4/2013
Healthy Dining in the Dorms Is it possible to eat healthy in the all-you-can-eat campus dining halls? You bet! Follow these tips to keep your waist in check when you're away at college. 9/3/2013
A Phone Call to the Past After a year of using SparkPeople to change her body and her life, one member imagines what it would be like to call her fomer self and tell her the good news. 9/3/2013
Grooming Essentials for Dogs and Cats Grooming, whether it's a bath or just a brushing, is healthy for your pet for many reasons. Whether you do all the grooming yourself or take your pet to a professional groomer or veterinarian for certain procedures, here's what you should know to keep your pet happy and healthy.
 9/3/2013
Diseases That Can Strike Humans and Pets We all love our pets, but the fact of the matter is they can make us sick if we’re not careful. Almost all animals carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. 9/3/2013
9 Healing Foods for Every Ailment Cure headaches, colds and other issues just by adding these to your diet.
 9/2/2013 12:00:00 PM
Donna Learned to Love Running--and Herself!* A motivational photo collage, along with a 40-plus pound weight loss, inspired Donna to embrace a positive body image 9/1/2013
Why a Gluten-Free 'Diet' Isn't the Secret to Weight Loss We agree: Gluten-free diets are life-saving for those with celiac and dietary intolerances. But they're not a quick fix for weight loss. Get the scoop in this and other top stories 8/31/2013
Helping Pets Cope with Temperature Extremes Here's what you need to know to keep your pets safe and comfortable during both hot and cold weather. 8/29/2013
Post-Marathon Recovery Tips It’s easy to put all of your focus on preparing for a marathon. But what about after the race is over?  It’s important to create a post-marathon recovery plan that gives your body the rest it needs while allowing you to maintain the fitness level you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Here's how. 8/28/2013
When to Call a Doctor for the Flu How can you tell if you need to go to the doctor when you're suffering from flu-like symptoms? 8/28/2013
11 Inspiring Animal Stories That Will Warm Your Heart From the tamest of pets to the wildest of wild, these inspirational animals are practically guaranteed to bring out the human in you. Be warned: Have a tissue (or three) handy. 8/28/2013
6 Secrets to Save on Pet Food There are plenty of options out there to help you buy your pet food without breaking the bank. Here are a few creative ways to save on the ongoing cost of buying your pet's food. 8/27/2013
Should You Get Pet Health Insurance? Keeping up with your dog's or cat's routine veterinary visits, recommended testing and preventative care can add up. One unexpected visit to the emergency clinic can make owning a pet suddenly quite expensive, which is why health insurance is becoming increasingly popular. 8/26/2013
Down 158 Lbs., Lindsay Shares Her 10 Best Weight-Loss Tips! Find out how a workplace weight loss competition sparked her journey to lose half her body size! 8/25/2013
Stop the Mushconceptions! Did you know that mushrooms are not just good, but also good for you? Here's why you should be eating more fungi--and how to prepare it.
  8/22/2013