If a busy schedule makes it hard for you to make healthy homemade meals and refuel yourself after a hard workout, here are 10 shopping tips to keep in mind when combing through the supermarket aisles. These shopping habits will make it easier for you to eat healthier and prepare home-cooked meals that will fit into your busy schedule. Keep canned tuna and/or beans in your pantry at all times to quickly throw protein onto a salad or in pasta. Have whole-grain crackers, and have at least one of these proteins ready in the fridge: nut butters, cheese, or sliced turkey. Eggs, ground beef, or veggie sausages can be quickly sauteéd for a fast dinner protein. If you’re constantly throwing out stale snacks, opt for these foods that have a longer shelf life: dried fruit, corn kernels (for homemade popcorn ), and nori seaweed. Choose fruits and veggies that require little preparation. You can quickly steam green beans and kale. Berries like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries can be thrown on top of Greek yogurt, in a smoothie, or on top of salads. Click here for more healthy cooking tips.

The weekends are made for relaxing, catching up with friends, and finishing any last-minute errands before Monday rolls around. All good things, but popular weekend activities like eating out, heading to the movies, or hitting the bar aren’t always the healthiest ways to spend your day. If you’re looking to shave a few calories off of your normal weekend rituals, look no further! Here are five common calorie-filled weekend activities and alternative - but complementary - things to do in their place. View Slideshow ›

Colder Winter months can sometimes make you neglect your daily water intake. You might assume you need less water than you do during Summer because you don’t feel parched and aren’t sweating like you do in warmer weather. Not true! Here are three reasons to keep your water cup filled during Winter. Hydrate Despite the Chill You need to drink the same amount of water year round - and maybe even more in the Winter . Even though it feels like you aren’t sweating as much as you do during the Summer, your body still loses a lot of water during the Winter from day-to-day activities like breathing, staying warm, and urinating. Read more on calculating your recommended daily water intake here . Winter activities like skiing, sledding, and even snowball fights can also lead to dehydration. Know the signs of dehydration so you can respond accordingly. If you are experiencing dizziness, headaches, constipation, or dark eye circles, quickly guzzle up some water. H20 Beauty Dry, nippy weather can leave skin cracked and flaky, but water does promote skin circulation and can help plump up your skin. While applying a hydrating moisturizer can help make skin smooth and supple, adequate water consumption is key for flake-free skin. Keep reading for the health reasons to keep water handy in Winter.

I love the crisp, colder weather of Autumn, but I hate that it also signals the start of cold and flu season. There are plenty of things you can do throughout your day to prevent catching a cold , but here are five things you should keep in mind specifically on weekends. Don’t Overdo It on the Booze I don’t blame you for wanting to de-stress from your crazy work week by letting loose with a drink but be mindful of how much you’re kicking back. Heavy alcohol consumption doesn’t do your immune system any good , and also dehydrates you body. It’s OK to relax with a glass of wine or a cocktail, but one should be your limit . Sip water with your alcoholic bevvy to stay hydrated (since that also prevents colds), and don’t let alcohol tempt you to smoke socially (smokers are more prone to getting sick). Take Time to Chill Weekends tend to be for catching up on errands you didn’t get to all week, but all that running around is sure to run down your immune system. Take time each day to relax whether it’s by sleeping in, getting to bed a little early, lounging on the couch with a good book, or taking a stroll with a friend. Keep reading for three more ways to prevent catching a cold on the weekend.

In an effort to keep my carbon footprint in check, I keep reusable bottles and fill ‘em up with tap water. Since tap water is more regulated than bottled water , I tend to not worry about contaminants. Although lately, my tap water has tasted and smelled a bit off, making me wonder: should I start using my Brita again, or is it time to invest in a more sophisticated filter? I am a fan of easy hydration, so I decided it was time to learn a bit more about the water coming out of my kitchen faucet. Here’s how to know if it’s time to start filtering your tap water.

While it’s hard to find time to exercise when your schedule is chock-full - read our tips on fitting in exercise when you’re busy - it can also be hard to stay healthy on lazy days when life isn’t planned down to every minute. If you’re not careful, a whole day goes by before you realize that you haven’t moved as much as you should or that you have no veggies left in the fridge. If you find yourself less healthy on lazier days, read on for ways to stay on track. Make drinking water a habit : Many of us need to be reminded to drink more water, and that can be doubly true when not following a normal routine. Before you get too dehydrated and start to feel crabby and tired, start training yourself to make drinking water a priority no matter where you are. Get into the habit of having a water bottle close by whether you are running errands or relaxing on the couch. Read on for more tips for staying healthy during your low-key days

FitSugar reader YogaGirlAli has some advice for you: it’s time to make like a kid again. She shared her advice on how to be active, creative, and healthy in your everyday life in our Women Who Rock (Climb) group . Dance around your room for the length of an entire song. Kids like to dance! Drop everything and just dance for a few minutes out of your day! Don’t raise your hand. Just start talking when an idea occurs to you. Kids don’t second guess themselves as much as we do when we grow older. Speak your mind and do not be afraid! Make a bedtime ! Kids go to bed early. Have peanut butter and jelly for lunch. Kids don’t stress out so much about what they eat . Try a handstand or a cartwheel. Kids do it all the time. Midday sluggishness getting to you? Don’t reach for coffee – kick your feet up, up, up! Inspired? Share how you live your healthy life by posting in one of our groups in the Fit community !

There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of developing breast cancer. And while the risk increases as we age, there are certain preventative measures every women should do, whether she’s in her 20s or in her mammogram years , to help reduce her risk of getting the disease. Read on for 10 things every women should do to help prevent breast cancer. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing breast cancer because fat cells produce small amounts of estrogen, which can fuel some cancers . Check up on your family history. How many people in your family have had breast cancer? If you don’t know, now’s the time to check. Having close family members who developed breast cancer increases your risk as well since certain risk factors are genetic. Don’t be a stranger to your girls. Self breast exams may not have been given a ringing endorsement from the medical community , but you should still be familiar with how your breasts feel and look so you’ll notice any changes. Drink in moderation. While that glass of red is good for you, excessive alcohol drinking has been linked to an increased risk of cancer . Stick to a one-a-day mantra if you want to reduce your risk. Keep exercising. Not only will working out help you maintain a healthy weight, exercising itself has been shown to reduce your risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends 45 to 60 minutes of exercise, five times a week . Read on to find out five more things you should do right now to help prevent breast cancer.

Want to avoid getting sick this season? Just look to the habits of the super healthy as your guide! Before the office cold catches up with you, here are four tips that will have you staying healthy, well, and free from the flu all year long. Regular Exercise One of the many benefits of having a steady fitness routine is that you’re less likely to become sick. Numerous studies have shown that exercise protects against colds and seasonal flus by boosting the immunity system . Studies have also shown that people who exercise regularly get sick less often, and when they do, their illnesses are less severe compared to those who don’t exercise. The key is moderation – going overboard on exercise or participating in grueling endurance events can temporarily weaken the body’s immune system, which can make individuals more susceptible to illness. To prevent colds and flu, fit in at least three 30-minute sessions of physical activity each week. Good Hygiene Germs are everywhere and washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from them. If you’re in a place where germs are rampant (like public transportation, the gym, or airport) make sure to lather up after coming into contact with any surfaces. Keep in mind that killing germs on your body’s surface has more to do with friction and less to do about the kind of soap you use. When washing up, put a good 20-30 seconds into the process. Other ways to protect yourself from catching a cold or flu is to avoid touching your face throughout the day, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. See what other healthy habits will protect you from a cold when you read more.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, right? I always find the infomercials produced by diet pill companies entertaining; you know, the ones where they promise significant weight loss in just one to two weeks. I’m sure if I drastically restricted my food intake and took appetite-suppressant medications for seven or more days, then these claims might not be so far off. But at what cost? When we surveyed you all on this topic a while back, many of you answered that you had tried diet pills before . Although I’m not part of this group, I’ve often wondered if these pills are worth it - and by worth it, I mean, are they worth enduring some of the less than desirable side effects like cramping, gas, diarrhea, and increased blood pressure and heart rate to shed pounds the “quick fix” way? What happens when you stop taking the pills? And are the pills that are supposed to be used in conjunction with physical activity and a well-balanced diet any better? Keep reading to learn more on the health risks associated with these drugs.