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From the tried-and-true StairMaster to an overlooked childhood go-to—the hula-hoop!—here are 7 ways to shake up your slim-down. Rowing machineLine at the treadmills? Head over to the rarely used rower, a kick-butt cardio machine that mimics the motion of rowing across water. “If you need to shed a few pounds, this is the machine for you,” says Julia Derek, a personal trainer at Reebok Sports Club/NY. “Not only does this piece of cardio equipment burn serious calories, but it also strengthens every major muscle group except for your pecs....

Mikey’s Muffins Paleo English Muffinsmikeysmuffins.com These bad boys are made from just six ingredients—eggs, almond flour, water, coconut flour, baking soda, and salt—and toast up perfectly. They contain just 4 g of carbohydrates, and make the perfect vehicle for almond butter and jelly, or a breakfast sandwich loaded with eggs, bacon, and a dollop of guac. ($7.50; ) MORE: Seven Ways to Go Paleo on a Budget Steve’s Paleo Goods PaleoKrunch Apple Pie Grainless Granolastevespaleogoods....

Your bacteria is out of whack “Bacteria ferments food that we’ve eaten,” explains Rebekah Gross, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Langone Medical Center. “That can happen down in the colon, but some colon bacteria can make its way into the small intestine.” This is called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. That bacteria then encounters food before it’s done digesting, and it all ferments together, leading to gas....

What are FODMAPs? FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates found in certain foods that have one big thing in common: For some people, they’re notorious for causing stomach discomfort. These include fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Hence the name FODMAP. There are four groups of carbs that fall under the FODMAP umbrella. During the diet’s elimination phase, you’ll need to steer clear of all of them. Oligosaccharides These soluble plant fibers are also known as prebiotics and work to feed the existing gut bacteria....

Read on to see which foods to pass up when it comes to stocking your fridge. Worst Staple: White Bread You may think a loaf of reliable, all-American white bread is a harmless vehicle for peanut butter or other sandwich fillers. But white bread is made with refined flour, which has been stripped of the bran and the germ (as well as protein and key nutrients). Besides being lower in protein and fiber than whole wheat bread, studies show that these refined grains may even be dangerous to your heart....

On Tuesday, the 31-year-old Tennessee Titans player took his passion for cleaning up the food system to a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill. It’s an issue that hits close to home for him: Witherspoon isn’t just a pro football player; he’s a sustainable farmer, too. His 800-acre grass-fed beef operation at Shire Gate Farm in Missouri is living proof you can raise healthy animals without drugs. More From Prevention.com: Easy Ways To Afford Organics Unfortunately, that’s not the norm....

People who ate seven to eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day reported feeling calmer, happier, and more energetic the day they consumed the produce, as well as the next day, finds a study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. The results suggest that fruit and vegetable intake actually drives mood change, and not the other way around. How does it work? Complex carbohydrates in fresh produce increase levels of serotonin in the brain, researchers explain....

In fact, adults who frequently engage in mentally stimulating activities are 63% less likely to develop dementia than those who rarely do such activities, a New England Journal of Medicine study discovered. A University of Michigan study found that adults who play a mentally challenging brain game every day for several weeks can dramatically improve their memory. The week’s worth of games and activities that follow are designed to do just that....

So What Causes Them? The thin, twist-and-turning veins get their name from resembling spider legs. And if your mom—or someone else in the family—has them, there’s a good chance you’ll get them, as well; the most common cause is genetics (although you won’t necessarily get them if your mom did). Certain lifestyle choices can up your risk for developing spider veins, too. “Smoking, obesity, and hormonal birth control can all contribute to the formation of spider veins,” says Luis Navarro, MD, a board-certified surgeon and the director of the Vein Treatment Center in New York City....

Serves 4 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 c finely chopped yellow onion 2/3 c finely chopped carrots 1 clove garlic, minced 4 c vegetable or chicken broth 2/3 c seeded and diced tomato 1 can (16 oz) organic navy beans 2/3 c fresh corn 1 c brown rice pasta (shape of your choice) 4-5 chives, chopped In a large pot, heat oil. Add onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until onions are translucent and carrots are tender....

When we tapped our virtual Rolodex of nutritionists to ask them which is best, they all joined in a resounding chorus of “Eat them whole!” We know, we know. But everyone has days when they’re just too busy to make a salad or when fresh veggies are nowhere to be found. Even on good days, it’s hard to fit in all of those servings, so it’s often nice to supplement with a cold-pressed juice or a greens powder packet....

The relationship mistake you’re making Not telling your partner how you feel? Then you’re doing a serious disservice to your relationship, concludes new research from the University of Missouri. In a survey, researchers found that couples who reported being emotionally disconnected also reporting feeling lonely and less satisfied in their partnership. Have trouble sharing your feelings? We’ve got 3 expert-vetted tips to give you the push you need. Sniff your way healthy One word: aromatherapy....

Therapy gets a makeover Out with the old, in with the new, or at least that seems to be the case with conventional therapy. Instead of the classic, in-office 45 minute sessions, some professionals are giving their services user-friendly upgrades in the form of online sessions, phone calls, and even smartphone apps. Why it pays to be nice Good karma aside, new research shows that people who do kind acts—like holding the door open for someone or buying lunch for a friend—can reduce anxiety levels....

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Watertown, MA Prioritizing women’s health is a no-brainer at this nationwide provider of child care and early childhood education, since a whopping 98% of its employees are women. It’s no surprise that employees receive 50% discounts at the 600 centers the company operates, but the company also provides assistance with life’s other complexities, such as financial and legal ones, through a free employee assistance program, which hooks employees up with professional advice and referrals....

Variety not only keeps your diet fresh—it can also help keep you healthy by giving you a broader range of nutrients. And the bounty of greens arriving at farmers’ markets this time of year makes it a great time to trade in your tried-and-true healthy foods for something new. Added bonus: “Just picked” produce is loaded with disease-fighting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, plus it usually costs less and bursts with flavor....

Here, the five must-have ingredients for all the meals you’ll eat this week: Boneless, skinless chicken tenders: Sure, it sounds like a ho-hum ingredient, but it might be the most versatile lean protein around. Here’s why: It pairs well with any spice, dip, sauce, vegetable, or cooking style and it doesn’t take much to get a great flavor out of it. The best part? You can enjoy chicken any time of year and it is always an excellent source of complete protein and B vitamins, which turn dietary protein, fat, and carbohydrates into useable energy....

One in eight people who suffer a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event go on to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to an analysis of multiple studies. Furthermore, those patients who develop PTSD appear to have twice the risk of suffering another heart attack or dying within one to three years, compared to patients who didn’t develop PTSD. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that typically follows exposure to a traumatic event such as combat, disaster or assault....

Women whose uterus were intact and whom received a daily HRT dose of 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) were found to be at increased risk for coronary heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, pulmonary embolism, dementia, gallbladder disease, and urinary incontinence. There were some benefits—these women experienced a decreased diabetes risk, fewer hip fractures, and less frequent hot flashes—but even so, the benefits clearly didn’t outweigh the risks....

In the wake of the IOM report, the White House and Congress have proposed an array of measures to improve patient safety. But that alone is not enough, the experts say. “Patients have a role to play in error prevention as well,” insists Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, president of the Washington, DC-based health care improvement organization, National Quality Forum. Here’s what you have to do to protect yourself. Find A Good Doctor Remember the old joke, What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at medical school?...