Most Recent Health Tips, Health News, and Easy Healthy Recipes

Close friends and family members are typically surprised - shocked, even - when they learn that my wife Margaret and I have had a good number of fights over the years. At first glance, both of us are generally viewed as being kind, thoughtful, and maybe even a bit shy. So jaws tend to drop when people find out that we're far from being the Cleavers.

For a change of pace from banana-based smoothies, give this post-workout smoothie recipe a try - it calls for fresh, ripe pears. Though any variety will do, I find that Bartlett and Packham pears provide a smoother consistency than other varieties like Bosc and Anjou.

A few years ago, I was surprised by a longtime client of mine who, out of the blue, remarked that he felt that his life was a failure. His tone was reflective and melancholic, and I could tell that he had given a lot of thought to this feeling before sharing it with me.

This recipe is a family favorite, one that keeps Margaret, our two boys, and me thoroughly chewing and then wolfing down greens with at least two of our meals every day. Any greens that are prepared in this fashion are so good that our plates are usually dominated by greens, with all other foods being side portions.

It's no secret that mosquito bites can transfer a number of diseases to humans and animals, the most common of which are malaria, dengue fever, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Before you whip out a can of mosquito-repelling spray the next time a clan of biting insects are after your blood, you should know that many conventional brands contain DEET, a powerful pesticide that has been linked to a number of health problems such as skin rashes, dizziness, and even seizures.

To make the perfect dish of baked beans, it's best to use navy beans, one of nature's best sources of healthy protein and folate. Navy beans are also rich in a number of minerals, including iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Q. I am scheduled for a mammogram in a few weeks. My GP and I are in disagreement over mammograms - she feels that I definitely need to have one whereas I try to avoid radiation as much as possible.

I had my first taste of tempeh back in 2000 when I was living in northern California. A friend prepared it with flavored rice - the kind used to make sushi rolls - and served it up with a huge platter of fresh vegetables. Talk about a mouthful of goodness - I still remember being dazzled by mini-explosions of flavor as I enjoyed tempeh for the first time.

Originally published on September 21, 2009

On an evening trip to the public library a few days ago, I was greeted by a friendly worker as I checked our family's books in. Though we had said hello many times before, on this particular evening, I could tell from the way that she was looking at me that she had something to say.

"You're friends with Dr. Lee, right?"

"Yes, I know Dr. Lee from when we were kids," I replied.

I learned this recipe from a similar version that was presented in an issue of GOOP, a newsletter put out by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Rich in cancer-fighting carotenoids and healthy doses of plant protein, iron, folate, and fiber, this succulent sweet potato and lentil salad is well worth trying.