Blog Posts by SparkPeople.com

By Chef Meg Galvin, Healthy Cooking Expert at SparkPeople
Some refer to it as food for the gods, others like me, call it a saving grace! Why do we love chocolate so much? Is it the taste, memories, or an experience for the mouth?

As you eat chocolate, it hits so many of the senses. As it melts, it covers your tongue and its smells enter into your nasal cavity. Soon your olfactory receptors and taste buds are all screaming in happiness. For me, that moment has a calming effect on the brain and body. Although I crave that feeling, I am not willing to buy larger jeans, so I choose chocolate that's strong and rich. That way, you don't need much, just a taste.

But...that chocolate has to be full of flavor, so don't give me that waxy variety from the supermarket. I want the real stuff: Dark chocolate with at least 60% cacao. Even better, the real stuff is actually good for us.

The experts at SparkPeople agree: "Studies have found that dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and

Rich and Dani, after losing 285 pounds together

Dani and Rich, after losing a combined 285 pounds

By Dani Arnold, a member at SparkPeople

Weight loss may not be the first topic that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day. But there's really no better way to say "I love you" than resolving to get healthier, live longer and look better for your spouse, significant other, child or someone else close to your heart. In the case of couples, several studies have shown that it's easier to lose weight with your partner as well as for them. I should know. My husband Rich and I lost a combined 285 pounds together.

Before losing a combined 285 pounds

Dani and Rich, before

We've been together almost 16 years now. We've been through some hard times--losing family members and working long hours at multiple jobs to pay the bills. We've always done it together though, which has made the load easier to bear.

But about three years ago, we looked down and realized we were both at our heaviest weight ever. I had put on a ton of weight after my

Teaching kids healthy habits is easier than you think, says doctor and mother of five Birdie Varnedore.

By Birdie Varnedore, M.D., SparkPeople Resident Medical Expert and Member--and a Mother of 5

Childhood obesity is an epidemic. According to the CDC, childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the past 30 years. Children are now dealing with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea, joint problems, fatty liver disease, gallstones, and heartburn--diseases that were once found mostly in adults.

Children who are overweight also face tremendous social and psychological problems, including discrimination and low self-esteem, according to studies.

And, in 2005, the New England Journal of Medicine announced that for the first time children are not expected to outlive their parents.

One major obstacle in combating childhood obesity is denial. Studies have provided the proof that when it comes to their children, parents are, in many cases, unable to see that there is a problem. Parents are looking at their children with the belief

Reading with kids is fun and educational, too!
By Hillary Copsey for BabyFit
As a self-proclaimed bookworm who is passing her love of reading on to her two sons, I compiled a list to help you navigate the library and bookstore easily. After all, who has time to spend hours wandering the aisles looking at books? (In a dream world, with a skim latte in hand while Dad is at home with the little ones?)

We didn't organize the books on our list by age because we don't really like looking at books that way. If you expose children to a wide variety of books, they'll figure out what they like and what they're ready for. Also, as a parent, I was bored by the "baby books" when my babies were the right age for them -- no story line and no kid responding to it -- but find them great now I have a toddler who can use them as sight words to learn to read.

Instead, all the books are appropriate from infancy to elementary school-aged, and they are arranged by category. "Touchy-feely" are books that kids can touch or have some other gimmick. "Good

Learn how to navigate the supermarket as a healthy cook.

Living alone is not without benefits-peace and quiet whenever you need it, undisturbed organization and order (or guilt-free sloppiness), and room to stretch out and relax. But some things are just more fun when you have someone to share them with. Cooking is one of those things.

Cooking for guests usually evokes a sense of pride and accomplishment. But when you are cooking for yourself, it can feel more like a chore. On top of that, a busy lifestyle that includes any combination of work, school, child care and exercise can make it difficult to plan and prepare healthy meals. The following hints will help you prepare tasty, nutritious meals for one or two while saving time and money, reducing waste, and keeping your healthy diet in check.

Use your freezer. Big batch cooking isn't just for big families. If you've been avoiding cooking a favorite recipe just because it makes six servings, go ahead and cook it just for you. Portion the leftovers into containers, seal tightly,

Losing 10% of your body weight can significantly improve your health.

By Birdie Varnedore, M.D., SparkPeople.com Resident Medical Expert and Member

It's now the second week of February, so let's check in: How are you doing with your weight loss or maintenance goals?

Many of you are just starting on the road to a new lifestyle. Welcome! I'm sure you have an abundance of motivation and willpower, and I hope that you use this powerful force to learn and integrate the SparkPeople principles early and successfully!

Many of you are like me, and you're recommitting to your goals. You might be struggling to find your way back to consistency and balance. Kudos to you for never giving up and accepting that we are in it to win it!

Whether you're new to healthy living or are a veteran, some of us are feeling burned out and are thinking about giving up. We are looking for a "spark" that will start a fire. I hope that you will decide not to take a break (learn the consequences of taking even a short break) and will keep working on it until

Keep hunger at bay with these tips!

By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian at SparkPeople.com

No doubt about it, hunger is unpleasant. In fact, it can be downright embarrassing when your tummy grumbles for your attention at the most inopportune times. When you're watching your calorie intake to lose or manage your weight, there will be days when you might experience ongoing hunger, even when you're eating at the top of your calorie range. It can be so distracting and debilitating that you're ready to throw in the towel. If deprivation is what eating healthy is all about, then forget it!

Not so fast. Don't give up on your new way of eating until you add what could be the missing ingredient back into your eating and weight loss program. What's the elusive "secret" to feeling fuller, longer? Satiety.

Satiety (sa-TIE-e-tee) is that wonderfully pleasant feeling of fullness you get as you eat, when you're no longer hungry, but aren't overly stuffed or uncomfortable. You are just satisfied beyond

Meeting the Needs of Meatless Eaters

What do you feed a vegetarian?

By Stepfanie Romine, co-author of "The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose the Weight"

It's 6 o'clock. Your guests should be arriving in less than an hour. Then your friend calls. Guess who's coming to dinner? Her new boyfriend, who's a vegetarian.

One night at the dinner table, your teenage daughter announces that she's vegetarian and will no longer be eating meat, fish, dairy, or eggs.

Gulp.

That throws a wrench in your plans, doesn't it? What do vegetarians eat? Is he going to start spouting off about animal rights as your husband carves the Christmas ham? Is she going to expect an entirely separate meal?

You can relax, even if you don't know much about vegetarian cooking. Have no fear. Cooking for a vegetarian is easy, and by the time you read our guide to feeding a vegetarian, you'll be all set.

You probably have quite a few vegetarian meals in your repertoire and likely have at least a couple of