Blog Posts by Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief, PREVENTION

I'm no holiday food Scrooge, and you shouldn't be one either. Some of the top seasonal splurges have pretty impressive health benefits. Science has rescued so-called "naughty" foods from the taboo list, and studies show that cocktail party favorites like olives and a cheese plate actually add to better health and longer life. Of course, you need to watch portion size or you could overdose on calories and saturated fat, but indulging lightly not only makes the holidays more fun-no one ever felt merry over a few celery sticks-it can actually help you live longer.

Surprising signs you'll live to 100

1) Olives are antioxidant powerhouses.

Olives grow in searingly hot sunlight, so they produce an overload of anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenols that fight the oxidation caused by ultraviolet light. Inside you, these same phytochemicals fight the oxidation that may cause aging. And, like the oil they produce, olives are rich in monounsaturated fat, which will help lower

The next time you're having a bad day (or week or month) take heart: you can perk up your mood quickly and simply. According to experts, life circumstances account for only 10% of happiness. Half depends on your genetic "set point," which is kind of like the weight your body bounces back to after a crash diet. And about 40% of your happiness is influenced by what you do deliberately to make yourself. Here are a few easy tricks to try:

1. Flip through Old Photos

When you're feeling down, break out your kids' baby albums or pics from your favorite vacation. It may actually make you feel happier than a square of chocolate would! That's what researchers at the United Kingdom's Open University found after they examined how much people's moods rose after eating a chocolate snack, sipping an alcoholic drink, watching TV, listening to music, or looking at personal photos.

The music and chocolate left most people's moods unchanged; alcohol and TV gave a slight lift (1%), but

On my desk as I type this: a bottle of water, the latest issue of Prevention and an econo-sized bottle of Purell (that all visitors must use). I'm not taking any chances during this worrisome flu season, and neither should you. Our experts found that these super foods have a significant effect on immune function, so add them to your repertoire today, or give yourself a pat on the back for the ones you're already eating:

1. Yogurt
Probiotics, or the "live active cultures" found in yogurt, are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs. Although they're available in supplement form, a study from the University of Vienna in Austria found that a daily 7-ounce dose of yogurt was just as effective in boosting immunity as popping pills. In an 80-day Swedish study of 181 factory employees, those who drank a daily supplement of Lactobacillus reuteri-a specific probiotic that appears to stimulate white blood cells-took 33% fewer sick days than

Anyone who has eaten her way through a bad day knows the tricky relationship between food and emotions. Instead, try these tools (instead of a fork) to attack emotional angst. In the time it takes to forage for your favorite quick-fix food, you can take steps to break the cycle, beat stress, eliminate emotional eating, and yes, finally experience some weight loss for good without even trying.

1) Play detective. Keep a food journal, suggests eating expert Joan Chrisler, PhD, professor of psychology at Connecticut College. "Every time you reach for food, write down what you eat and how you were feeling. Bored? Frustrated? Happy? Before long, you'll see a pattern. Then you can start to break it.

Click here for the perfect solution for keeping track of your mood, weight loss and more.

2) Keep your hand busy during downtime Many people eat every time there's a lull, such as during TV commercials, says eating disorders expert Sandra Haber, PhD, adjunct associate clinical

If you gorged yourself on candy, the Halloween kind or otherwise, here's motivation (beyond burning off the calories) to get your butt to the gym the next day: A Washington University School of Medicine study found that exercise may protect your heart long after you step off the treadmill. Sugary snacks cause blood vessels to temporarily lose their elasticity, which over time increases heart disease risk. But physical activity can help: When researchers gave subjects a candy bar and soda 17 hours after doing an hour of moderate-intensity cardio, the exercisers were able to pump 28% more blood than people who'd rested and ate the same sugar-laden snack. Here are a few quick ways to pump up your workout-and erase all evidence of last night's candy-corn binge:

1. Chill your water

Even if the weather is cool where you live, a fresh-out-of-the-fridge water bottle can rev up your workout, finds a British study (participants in hot climes got the best results). Exercisers who drank

Sadly, subtle signs of aging can show up as early as your late 20s, but there are easy ways to keep your skin soft, radiant, and wrinkle free (no needles required). Me? I like to add skin-boosting foods to my diet because a) it's cheaper than loading up on a zillion products, b) there are loads of other health benefits, and c) you gotta eat anyway, why not give your skin a boost in the process? Here's what to do:

1. Eat Colorful Produce Every 4 to 5 Hours

As you age, your skin's natural antioxidant protection drops; eating a diet rich in colorful fruits and veggies can help protect against wrinkles. There are hundreds of antioxidant nutrients, but the most important include vitamins C (found in tomatoes, citrus fruits, and bell peppers) and E (nuts and avocado), polyphenols (natural cocoa powder and berries), quercetin (onions and broccoli), and carotenoids (leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and other bright orange vegetables).

See the 6 foods that can make you look

It's that time of year: Candy corn, chocolate kisses, and other sweet stuff starts cropping up around my office like mushrooms. If the promise of a slimmer waistline doesn't keep me from grabbing a handful, my desire for smooth skin will.

Experts now believe that a lifetime of overeating sugar can make skin dull and wrinkled. Blame a natural process that's known as glycation, in which the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules (called advanced glycation end products or, appropriately, AGEs for short). The more sugar you eat, the more AGEs you develop. Most vulnerable to damage are collagen and elastin, the protein fibers that keep skin firm and elastic. Prevent those pesky AGEs from forming by following these 4 steps:

1. Cut Back on Sugar

Obvious, but it's not easy to eliminate it completely. Even whole grains, fruits, and vegetables turn to glucose-the type of sugar that fuels glycation-when digested. But limiting sugar can help.

I love fall-and all the heartier food that comes with it. What I don't love is all the fat and calories, and neither do my jeans. With these easy substitutions, I can still have my macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and french fries and fit into my clothes too. Here's how a few simple swaps can transform these cool-weather classics into waistline-friendly meals.

Macaroni and Cheese

THE SWAP: Use a combination of reduced-fat dairy products instead of full-fat, mild-flavored cheese. This version has 18% fewer calories and 54% less saturated fat than the traditional one.

CALORIES: 303.8 per serving

Spaghetti and Meatballs

THE SWAP: Replace ground beef with a combination of ground turkey breast and low-fat turkey sausage. For an extra health boost, serve with whole wheat spaghetti.

CALORIES: 369.4 per serving

Try these other delicious pasta dishes.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

THE SWAP: Buttermilk might sound as