By Elizabeth Sheer, Cheapism.com

Each year about one-third of American adults resolve to make their lives better in some way. For smokers, that often means a pledge to kick the habit. The benefits of quitting smoking are obvious: It's the best thing you can do for your health and for your budget. And with less tolerance for smoking all around, saying "no" could improve your social life, as well.

Related: Budget exercise bikes

Many would-be ex-smokers fail to quit smoking because it's hard to do. Quitnet reports that it takes seven tries, on average, for someone to successfully quit smoking. So make 2013 the year you pledge to give it up forever. And if you need an extra nudge, note that some of the best techniques for reaching this goal are absolutely free.

Quit smoking now with these frugal tips.

For starters, have you ever figured out just what this habit costs? A quick calculation at Quitnet, which entails entering your zip code and the number of cigarettes you smoke daily, tells you exactly how much of

Herbal Flu Season Tonic

From the perch of my bed, I like to watch a family of ravens that hang out atop a cypress tree that's about a block away. Last week, when a storm came through the city, my husband and I sat and watched as one brave raven continued to sit on his perch, facing into the wind, despite the constant battering. He was a brave bird. When it comes to flu season, I feel a lot like that bird. There's a constant battering going on: of commercials for flu products (honestly, taking a bunch of pills to suppress your symptoms and get back to work really isn't the answer!), of commercials for flu shots, of germs flying around, of everyone around me getting sick, and I'm just doing what I can to cling on to my health and sanity.

I read once, in a book by the herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner, about herbal 'antibiotics' and why they're so much more effective than chemical ones. Viruses mutate. Its a fact of life. You know what else mutates? Plants. Fact. So just as a virus can psychically pass on

If you want to lose weight, don't sabotage your diet with these six common mythsAfter weeks of holiday indulgences, many people are ready to start the New Year on a healthier foot, and often that means shedding pounds. But even the most health-savvy people can get caught up in diet myths that sabotage their goals. "Weight loss is so complex and confusing because there is so much conflicting information out there," says Leslie Bonci, M.P.H., R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. With our experts' help and the latest research, we've dispelled six myths so you can start slimming down for good.

MYTH: No sweets before noon
Most people who want to lose weight assume they have to forgo dessert. But not only can you have it, you can have it for breakfast, according to a study published in March 2012 in the journal Steroids: Researchers found that participants who ate a 600-calorie, carb- and protein-rich breakfast that included dessert, such as chocolate or ice cream, lost more weight over four months (and kept more

The secret your favorite cook is hidingIt's easy to get suckered into thinking that celebrity chef creations are nutritious--after all, their food just looks so good. But while popular chefs churn out tasty recipes, they're likely turning a blind eye to nutrition, warns a new report. In fact, a new Food Network reality TV show focuses on weight loss tips for overweight chefs.

A team of UK researchers, writing in the British Medical Journal, examined the nutritional content of 100 recipes from popular celebrity chefs including Jamie Oliver, Lorraine Pascale, and Nigella Lawson. (The study focused on chefs popular in the UK.) The researchers also looked at pre-packaged grocery store meals, and compared both to the World Health Organization's recommendations.

As it turns out, none of the meals or recipes--whether store-bought or from a celebrity cook--met the nutritional criteria. Even more surprising? Study authors discovered that many of the pre-packaged meals were actually healthier than recipes from chefs. (Surprised?

Amanda MacMillan, SELF magazine

So you've started your "New Year, New You" routine--maybe you joined a gym, took a lap around the block, or stocked up on new workout clothes and healthier foods. Way to go! (Another idea? Try our AMAZING 6-Day, No Cook Diet.) This can only mean good things for your health, right?

In most cases, yes. But there is a chance that making big changes can lead to bad reactions if you have specific allergies or sensitivities. Not that we want to give anyone an excuse to ditch their diet or cut their workouts short (We are all about the resolutions, trust me!), but it is important to be aware of the things that might put you at risk. So, from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, here are a few ways to make sure that your resolutions are truly the healthiest ones for you.

See more: The Flat-Abs-Fast Secret

Check food labels and ingredients. If you have a food allergy or intolerance, chances are you've been aware of it for a

CN Digital StudioJD Rinne, SELF magazine

Influenza has hit hard nearly five weeks earlier than usual, with 41 states reporting intense flu outbreaks, and Boston's mayor declaring a public health emergency.

See more: The Flat-Abs-Fast Secret

While the flu shot is your best bet to avoid contracting the virus, it's only so effective. The good news is that there are everyday measures to further help prevent getting sick, says SELF's Contributing Expert, Dr. Henry S. Lodge.

Wash your hands. Huge for germ protection ('nuff said). See the CDC's tips on the right way to scrub.

See more: The No-Cook Diet

Get plenty of rest. Dr. Lodge says that sleep will help your immune system fight off germs--but you've got to give it a chance! So rest up tonight.

You can still get a flu shot. The American Lung Association has a flu vaccine finder.

If you've got a fever, see your doctor within 48 hours and get a nasal swab or rapid flu test. Because this test doesn't require blood, you'll

Alexa Miller/Fitness MagazineBy Maura Kelly

Turns out that for years, we've been going about our resolutions all wrong. That's because we didn't really understand what willpower is. It's not a magical force we summon up only when we're trying to diet or kick our butts into workout mode. Instead, willpower is something we call on throughout the day, every day, to help us decide between the black pants and the blue ones, for instance, or to try to tune out our cubicle mate's phone conversation so we can get our work done. "Any act that requires self-control requires willpower," explains Roy F. Baumeister, PhD, a professor of psychology at Florida State University and a coauthor of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.

Unfortunately we have only a certain amount of willpower in any 24-hour period, and it tends to be strongest at the beginning of the day. "Willpower depends on your body's energy supply, which generally peaks in the morning," Baumeister says. The more we use it, the weaker it gets.

By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Editor, EatingWell Magazine

When it comes to dieting, who isn't looking to lose weight as quickly as possible? In our quest for a quick fix, we latch on to diet notions that may or may not be true (Can You Safely Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days?).

Here are 3 diet myths that may be sabotaging your weight-loss efforts.

Weight-Loss Myth: It doesn't matter what time you eat dinner.
Truth: The early-bird special is good for your waistline and your overall health. According to a recent study in Cell Metabolism, mice that eat an early dinner and then fast for 16 hours are slimmer than those who eat the same amount of calories, but snack around the clock. Researchers suspect that the longer lapse between meals allows the body to process the food more efficiently. They noticed that even mice fed a high-fat diet gained less weight when they fasted for 16 hours than those who ate more frequently. What's more, people who eat late at night