5 Reasons to Avoid (Most) Supplements

Vitamins: Definitely not all created equal

The Associated Press recently evaluated herbal supplements at four big-box retailers. Reporters learned "four out of five contained none of the herbs on the label. Instead, they were packed with cheap fillers such as wheat, rice, beans or houseplants."

The New York Times picked up the piece, and suddenly everyone and their grandma was buzzing about how supplements were ineffective.

"So, the industry keeps growing, with 65,000 dietary supplements now on the market, consumed by nearly half of all Americans," writes Timothy Egan in a snarky follow-up editorial. "Everyone wants to live longer, to be happier, to have better sex. And, if you think you can do it without exercise, or eating enough vegetables, or getting regular sleep, there are a thousand pills for you, sold not far from the candy counter."

The Times took a similarly dismal view in this 2013 opinion piece summarized as "Dietary supplements: mislabeled, contaminated and probably useless."

It isn't just the New York Times. Mainstream media, often led by

Why Did the Times Get Chipotle So Wrong?

Move over fast food...enter casual dining

“It wasn’t even good trashy,” my friend recounted about a recent fast food indulgence. “I felt gross afterwards, and not in a I-just-ate-something-fabulous-but-fatty way. Just… gross.”

With reviews like that, I’m not surprised McDonald’s and other fast food joints are financially tanking. But so has “fine dining,” as more people can’t afford or aren’t willing to plunk down $100 or more for a super-fancy meal.

Stepping in to fill that gap is casual dining, which offers a hybrid of fast food with fresh, simple ingredients without the greasiness or exorbitant prices.

Chief among this casual-dining trend is Chipotle, where you can get a freshly prepared, delicious meal for about 10 bucks.

I visited my local Chipotle one recent Friday night to find

8 Ways to Get More Pedometer Steps

The goal? 10,000 steps a day

Sometimes, we all overlook the obvious. That's why we can all use a little reminder every now and then -even when it comes to exercising smarter. Here's a repeat of one of my most popular blogs....

Looking to improve your health and fitness?  One of the simplest ways to go about it is to focus on taking more total steps all throughout your day. 

By increasing your total step count, you’ll naturally be burning more calories, you’ll increase your heart health, and you’ll take one giant step towards accelerated body fat loss.

Wearing a pedometer on a daily basis is one of the best ways to be aware of how many total steps you’re taking and make changes to gradually increase that number aiming eventually for a total of 10,000 steps a day. Wearing a pedometer is a great way to make yourself

Healthy, Happy Couples Employ these 5 Traits

If he gives you chocolate, don't ask him if you look fat

"He seems to think treating me well is some sort of rocket science!" my colleague said, recalling a recent argument with her on-again, off-again boyfriend as she broke off a piece of dark chocolate and wearily slumped in her chair.

As Valentine’s Day approached, my colleagues and I sat in our gym’s break room recollecting horror stories and magical moments but also speculating why relationships often prove needlessly complicated.

I’ve read a ton of self-help books, watching more than my fair share of Dr. Phil and Intervention, and even attended seminars. I should be well versed in relationships by now. If only there were a science behind human interaction…

Well, there is. As an unapologetic science nerd, I began scouring studies that reveal how healthy, mutually satisfying relationships stay afloat but also evolve over time. From that