Blog Posts by DivineCaroline

Going green inherently saves money - by using less, we save more - but some big-ticket items can cost a lot. I'd love to install solar panels on my roof or a wind turbine in my backyard so I'd never have to see another PG&E bill again, but the reality is that I simply can't afford either of those. Nor can I purchase a low-flow toilet, buy a Prius, or have the plumbing know-how to install a greywater system.

But that doesn't mean I can't save money on gas, water, and other living expenses by taking simple - often free - steps to reduce consumption of natural resources. Even if you're not trying to save the planet, by consuming and wasting less, you'll save money. And that's something we all like to conserve.

1. Become Anti-Bottle
A bottle of water usually runs between one to two dollars, which means buying a few bottles every week could add up to over one hundred dollars a year. While that doesn't seem like a lot, consider what else it costs: 1.5 million barrels of oil

I remember my first conscious exposure to artificial sweeteners. A friend in college baked an entire batch of cookies with a calorie-free sugar substitute and offered me one. My reaction: I can eat ten cookies and not consume any sugar? Bring 'em on!

A few years later, I shifted to the other extreme - avoiding artificial sweeteners at all costs - after a nutritionist told me that drinking a diet coke was akin to sewing the seeds of cancer in my body.

But the recent hype around Splenda prompted me to question my all-or-nothing outlook.

The average American consumes 15 to 20 percent of their daily calories from refined sugar, twice the recommended amount, according to a nutrition study at Tufts University. Can substituting some of that refined sugar for some blood-sugar-spike-free sweeteners be that bad in the bigger picture?

I decided to do some investigating to find out the differences among artificial sweeteners. Is there any real proof that they're harmful? Perhaps

Answers provided by Carlene W. Elsner MD

Q: Are there any studies on the impact of fertility drugs on health? How safe is it to do multiple cycles? When should you decide to stop doing IVF because of possible side effects?

A: Yes, there are studies on the impact of fertility drugs on health. Many of these reports have conflicting results. A few things can be said. The long term use of clomiphene citrate (twelve months of use over a lifetime) may result in an increased chance of developing ovarian cancer later in life. The use of tamoxifen for the purpose of inducing ovulation may result in a higher incidence of congenital abnormalities. The use of fertility drugs does not hasten the onset of the menopause. New information is reported all the time. Even though we currently believe that fertility drugs are safe, there is always the possibility that additional risks will be reported in the future. Continue reading for more information on fertility treatment >>

Q: I have

Even if you're not trying to lose weight, chances are you've seen some ideas on how to do so:

"Eat what you want and lose weight!"
"Lose thirty pounds in thirty days!"
"Ten minutes to a tighter tummy!"

Looking past the outrageous claims, there are at least Nine Cold, Hard Weight Loss Truths the diet/food industry isn't going to tell you, but might just help you take a more realistic approach to sustained weight loss. To start, consider the following:

1. You have time to exercise.
If you have time to check email, watch a sitcom or two, surf the internet, have drinks/coffee/dinner with friends, go clothes shopping, and on and on, then you have time to exercise. Yes, sometimes you have to sacrifice sleep, TV, or leisure time to fit it in. Yes, sometimes you have to prioritize your exercise time over other things. But your health and the feeling you get after having worked out is well worth it.

2. Your body is working against you.
Most people have

Food prices are climbing, and some might be looking to fast foods and packaged foods for their cheap bites. But low cost doesn't have to mean low quality. In fact, some of the most inexpensive things you can buy are the best things for you. At the grocery store, getting the most nutrition for the least amount of money means hanging out on the peripheries-near the fruits and veggies, the meat and dairy, and the bulk grains-while avoiding the expensive packaged interior. By doing so, not only will your kitchen be stocked with excellent foods, your wallet won't be empty.

Here's a sampling from The 20 Healthiest Foods Under $1, and some tasty serving suggestions to boot.

1. Oats
High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol. And they sure are cheap-a dollar will buy you more than a week's worth of hearty breakfasts.

Serving suggestions: Sprinkle with nuts and fruit in the morning, make oatmeal cookies for dessert.

2. Eggs

Think cake will cure your crabbiness? Or brownies will banish the blues? While those are certainly two of my favorite quick fixes, I recently learned that such staples serve only to exacerbate my foul mood.

Whether you're suffering from temporary irritability or full-blown depression, you may benefit from incorporating certain foods into your diet while avoiding others. These Five Tips to Avoid the Blues outline which foods can help fight off a permanent case of the Mondays, often caused by low blood sugar levels derived from poor nutrition.

Blood sugar levels directly impact how we feel, both physically and emotionally. We feel good after we eat, because our blood sugar increases. However, when blood sugar levels sink, we get hungry and our mood takes a dive as well. Classic symptoms of low blood sugar are feeling impatient, irritable, angry and aggressive; feelings that linger until we can eat again. By incorporating specific foods into your diet, you can help regulate your blood

You're on top of things. Responsibly, you take folic acid every day and have been since you started trying to have a baby. You happily avoid alcohol and other drugs. Likely, you read one or two pregnancy books and see your doctor regularly. But you may be making avoidable mistakes that can put you and your baby at risk. Experts have identified Eight Common Blunders which happen quite often by expecting women. Here are three surprising mistakes to watch for if pregnant.

1. Not buckling up
According to a recent study, many women will stop buckling up in cars fearing that the strap could harm their fetus. This is often done later in pregnancy as the bump gets bigger. Don't fall for this mistake! Car accidents kill more fetuses than babies each year in America-most experts say could have been avoided had seat belts been worn. If the seat belt is uncomfortable, be sure that you have the waist strap below the bump and across your pelvis. If you are expecting multiples, you may

We've all recently experienced sticker shock at the grocery store and cooking healthy, easy, and affordable meals can seem like a struggle. After a trip to my local grocery store to gather prices, I put together Ten Dinners Under Ten Dollars. I'm particularly partial to the Boca Burger Wraps. Though this recipe might sound a little wacky, it is scrumptious - and, of course, healthy. You can purchase Morning Star brand Boca Burgers for $3.69, a quarter-pound of on-the-vine tomatoes for $.75, and use tortillas and goat cheese you may already have in your fridge! (If you don't have these on-hand, both are very affordable at your local grocer.)

Here's the recipe:

In a frying pan, heat up the Boca Burgers. Remove the burgers, cut them up and combine them with fresh sliced tomatoes, salsa, and goat cheese. Place the tortilla in the frying pan, add ingredients, and wrap the tortilla round the filling. When the tortilla is slightly browned, removed, and enjoy.

Want more meals at