Best Health Magazine: March/April 2009
Discover what you'll find in the March/April 2009 issue of Best Health, plus get links to what's online
New & Now
The latest news on breakfast and weight loss • Best stretch: hamstrings • Spa paradises • Mini-wardrobe for swimming • These Quebec women have fun and get fit playing ringette • Family health update, by the numbers • Is health insurance for your pet worth the money? • Can anger actually be healthy? • Taco Bell do’s and don’ts • Eco-friendly beauty products • The best way to get enough vitamin D • The sustainable beauty and durability of bamboo • How eco-friendly are Canadians? • A clever innovation in running shoes • Beware of taking some common medications with these juices • Good news from the lab on prenatal screening • Our book and DVD choices
Look Great
36 Armed and Fabulous!
Eight exercises to get your arms toned—just in time for short-sleeve season.
38 Beauty Bar
Our roundup of makeup, hair and skincare picks.
40 New, and Made in Canada
Meet the people behind five hot—and homegrown—companies. Plus, some cool new products to try.
45 Flake Fighters
Which dandruff shampoo is right for you?
48 The Latest Eye Creams
We tested them for you to find out what works.
51 Spa Smarts
Planning a day trip or girls’ weekend? Make sure your money is well spent with these insider tips.
54 Fragrance Sensitivity
Scent drives some people nuts. But is it all in their heads? Our writer investigates.
58 Get It Together
Cool websites and tools to help you look great.
Get Healthy
62 2nd Annual: Canada’s Healthiest Cities
One year later, which places improved—and which got worse?
67 Me, A Natural-born Curler?
Writer Patricia Pearson gets swept up in her first attempt at this iconic—and challenging—Canadian sport.
70 Toothbrush Checkup
Which oral-health products do you need? We rounded up the latest ones.
75 Male Call
Is he depressed? Here’s how to know—and how to help.
77 7 Essential Exercises
Do these and you’ll be fit, flexible and strong. Plus, how a personal trainer helped one reader lose weight.
82 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Arm yourself with this article for your next physical. Plus, the latest research on common conditions.
84 Breathe Easier
How one respiratory therapist copes with her asthma.
87 Get It Together
Cool websites and tools to help you stay healthy.
Eat Well
90 Super Beans and Lentils
Here’s why legumes are nature’s almost-perfect food. Bonus: 13 simple recipe ideas!
95 Is School Nutrition Failing Our Kids?
Why we need a national policy to give our kids better options.
100 Fare Share
A single mom’s favourite healthy recipe.
102 Sinful or Sweet?
The pros and cons of chocolate.
104 Quick Fixes
Pasta meals you can make in about 30 minutes.
109 Grocery Guide
We tested new snacks that are on shelves now.
110 Quiz
Find out if your eating habits are helping or harming you.
113 Come for Lunch!
Chef Paul Finkelstein transforms sandwiches and wraps into treats that are great for weekend company—or a solo meal.
118 Get It Together
Cool websites and tools to help you eat healthily.
Embrace Life
122 Band of Sisters
These women have kept each other going through times of illness and heartbreak. What’s their secret?
127 Natural Aphrodisiacs
Which herbs, scents and foods can actually boost your sex drive? We rounded up the latest research.
132 Can Mentorship Change Your Life?
Rona Maynard says it can, and shares advice on how to find one (and how to be one).
135 Friends In Need
There can be a downside to supporting a friend. Take our quiz and find ways to improve your relationships.
140 Get It Together
Cool websites and tools to enhance your life.
144 My Healthy Life
Former TV health reporter Maureen Taylor shares her tips for living well.
8 From the Editors
10 Letters
12 On the Web
14 Community Centre
16 Contributors
142 Shopping Guide
As a fragrance sensitive individual, I was very happy to see an article that legitimized what my family has been dealing with for years! It is an ongoing struggle, especially in the workplace, to get people understand that the use of some products can make those around them truly ill.
This article can be a wonderful tool in educating the public to the effects of scents. It was very sympathetic to those who suffer from what can truly be a debilitating health problem.
I absolutely agree that fragrance in personal grooming products are hard for people like me to tolerate. However, I was a little disappointed that laundry products and air fresheners were omitted, as I know many people (like my family) find them to be especially toxic.
It is articles like this that make me very happy to be a subscriber! Thank you again,
Lisa
i enjoyed your article titled Me, a natural born curler. As a mom of 3 little boys I was thrilled when I discovered this little appreciated sport. I have been curling for 5 years now and look forward to my thursday evenings with the girls. Not only do we curl out of our club but occasionally attend bonspiels at other clubs as well. But my biggest acheivement is when a girlfriend and I created a bonspiel to raise funds for the Montreal Childrens Hospital. Out of our 6 children we had three that were born with a heart condition and required open heart surgery at the Childrens. One evening after curling we starting talking about how we can help the hospital that helped our children. From there Riverfield Curling for Kids was created. We invited culers and non-curlers to come out for this fundraising event and it was a huge success. Curling is a fantastic way to socailize and is truly a gentlemen sport. But what most people don't realize that is amazingly fun. We have just finished our third year for the childrens hospital and have raised a total of 30,000.00. Not bad for a town that boast a population of maybe 1000.
Would I recommend curling to anyone I meet who is looking for a fun way to meet people and do a little exercise? In a heartbeat!! It is an inexpensive sport, great for any age and gender and where else can you go and holler at your team mates at the top of your lungs and not get clobbered? I will be a member for a long long time.
corri