As a kid, I used to hate broccoli. Whenever my mother would cook it, I would make up all sorts of elaborate fibs hoping she wouldn't make me eat it (although they never worked). But when I became an adult, I grew to love this green vegetable and enjoy it in a variety of dishes. I've since discovered that broccoli is not just healthy, it's 'super' healthy - and I wanted to share the good news with you today.

Interesting Broccoli Facts:

Broccoli was first cultivated in Italy back in the 6th-century B.C.E., and its name comes from the Italian broccoli meaning “the flowering crest of a cabbage”. The broccoli is a member of the cabbage family, along with the radish, turnip, mustard, and more. It was introduced to the United States by Italian immigrants in the 1920s and wasn’t wildly known until then. 77% of the world's broccoli is produced in China and India. The part of the broccoli we eat is the flower and the stem.

Health Benefits of Broccoli:

1. It protects your skin from aging

Broccoli is rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, which reduces and prevents the damages caused by free radicals, such as pigmentation and wrinkling. In addition, the health content of Vitamins B and E aids in giving your skin a healthy glow.

2. It protects you from UV radiation

Aluminum foil is one of those things a kitchen just can't do without, but it's mainly used for cooking and wrapping food. Well I'm here to tell you that this household item has many more uses than just those 2, and can help you in a number of areas, for instance...

Come winter, immunity is the season's magic word! As temperatures drop, windows and doors remain closed, harboring an environment for viruses to thrive. As a result, if your immunity isn't up to speed, you're more likely to get sick. So to ward off colds, the flu and other winter germs lurking in the room, these 10 useful tips will help you and your family stay well during the cold, dark months ahead.

1. Use hand sanitizer wherever possible

Particularly if you have little kids around. Researchers from Children's Hospital in Boston studied 292 families for 5 months, during which they discovered that those who carried hand sanitizer with them had 50 percent fewer cases of stomach bugs than nonusers. Predominantly because, when used correctly (your hands should still feel damp after rubbing the gel together for 10 to 15 seconds) hand sanitizer products practically eliminate all germs. So spare yourself the winter blahs this year, and carry hand sanitizer with you.

2. And don't forget your feet

With your hands taken care of, your feet need tending to also. Winter's heavy shoes, boots and socks can take a toll on our feet. The best defense? Moisturize your feet daily. Doing so will keep fungi from entering cracked winter skin. And once applied, wear socks with synthetic fibers to wick away moisture faster.  

3. Change your toothbrush

If you've just had a cold or the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat, use a new toothbrush. Germs often hide in the toothbrush, which can lead to re-infection. Stock up on toothbrushes, so there's always a spare handy.

Health & Lifestyle > Health

Besides being an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in most dishes - savory or sweet - eggs are  exceptionally nutritious. Their goodness can be found in the yolk, which contains over 90 percent of an egg's calcium and iron, while the white part contains almost half of the egg's protein.

So, if you're not eating eggs regularly, here are 10 reasons you ought to change your mind.

1. They are among the most nutritious food on the planet.

Eggs contain a little bit of almost every nutrient we need, making them the perfect food. In fact, a single boiled egg contains:

• Vitamin A (6% of the RDA*)
• Folate (5% of the RDA)
• Vitamin B5 (7% of the RDA)
• Vitamin B12 (9% of the RDA)
• Vitamin B2 (15% of the RDA)
• Phosphorus (9% of the RDA)
• Selenium (22% of the RDA)

Eggs also contain decent amounts of Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium and Zinc.

In total, eggs equate to 77 calories, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fats.

*RDA - Recommended Daily Allowance

2. While eggs may be high in cholesterol, they don't adversely affect blood cholesterol.

True, eggs are high in cholesterol. In fact, a single egg contains 212mg, which is over half of the recommended daily intake of 300mg. However, while it may seem counter-productive to eat eggs, the cholesterol in eggs does not necessarily raise cholesterol in the blood. Of course, it is important to note that the response of egg consumption varies from one individual to another. But overall, studies have shown that in 70 percent of people, eggs did not raise cholesterol at all. However, in the other 30 percent (termed hyper responders) eggs mildly raised total and LDL cholesterol.  

Main >  Health & Lifestyle > Health

Only 50 short years ago, the chance that any given individual would live to see their 100th birthday was 1 in 67,000. Today, the chances of living to become a centenarian, a 100- year old person, is 1 in 6,000! This encouraging statistic has improved as people have become increasingly aware of health and the effects of their environment on their longevity starting from younger ages. 

Here are tips for all of your loved ones on how to pave the way to a long and prosperous life. See you in a century!

Main >  Health & Lifestyle > Health

I’ve always wondered why turkeys are the bird of choice for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, and seeing as one of our most important national holidays will be celebrated tomorrow, I thought I’d satisfy my curiosity. I also discovered, to my surprise, that there are some terrific health benefits offered by a Thanksgiving turkey.

The History of the Thanksgiving Turkey

It’s actually debatable whether Turkey was served or not during the First Thanksgiving of 1621, because colonist Edward Winslow’s account of the harvest feast at Plymouth simply mentions that pilgrims gathered “wild fowl”, which means they were just as likely to have feasted on ducks or geese as turkeys.

More than 200 years passed before turkey gained traction as the staple Thanksgiving meal. It was the rediscovery in 1856 of colonist William Bradford’s lost journal that marked the beginning of turkey becoming the Thanksgiving meal of choice. In his journal, Bradford made references to wild turkey being hunted in the fall of 1621.

This was further enshrined in American culture when President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. So there you have it! That’s how we all came to eat turkeys with our families every fourth Thursday of November.

The good news is that although we may eat a little too much each Thanksgiving, eating turkey has numerous health benefits. Before we get to them, here’s why you should go organic this Thanksgiving:  

Going Organic

Main >  Humor > Funny

A British SAS squad and an American Marines squad are together in the middle of a city. The commanding officers of each group are discussing the merits of SAS vs Marines: these officers have reputations for being the strongest, toughest and most feared men in the whole of the armed forces.

The American squad leader turns to the British officer and says, "My Marines are so much braver than your SAS."

"I doubt that very much," says the SAS officer.

"They are much braver," says the American. "Watch this."

The American squad leader turns to one of his Marines and shouts, "SERGEANT!! Climb to the very top of that building and jump off."

We all know oatmeal is good for us, but do you know how much it can really benefit you? Find out the whys and the hows of this incredibly healthy food by reading about the top health benefits oatmeal provides!

John invited his mother over for dinner one evening.

During the meal, she couldn’t help but notice how attractive his roommate Judy was. She had been suspicious of a relationship between her son and his roommate for quite some time, but this only made her more curious. She watched the two of them interact over the course of the evening and began to wonder whether there was more between John and Judy than met the eye.

Realizing only too well what his mother was thinking, John said, "I can see your wheels turning Mom, and I know what you’re thinking. Rest assured Judy and I are strictly room-mates."

Main >  Humor > Funny

A few days later, Judy went to John and said, "You know the beautiful silver gravy ladle? Well, ever since your mother came to dinner I can’t seem to find it. You don’t think she would have taken it, do you?" "I doubt it, but I’ll write her a letter just to be sure," replied John.

John then sat down and wrote his mother the following letter:  "Dear Mom,  While I’m not saying you 'did' take a gravy ladle from my house, and I’m not saying you 'didn’t' take a gravy ladle, the fact remains that ever since you were here for dinner one has been missing.  Love, Your son."

Several days later, John received a reply from his mother which read: "Dear John,  While I am not saying you 'do' sleep with Judy, and I’m not saying you 'don’t' sleep with her, the fact remains that she would have found the gravy ladle by now if she were sleeping in her own bed.  Love, Mom."

 Health & Lifestyle > Health

As if hot flashes weren't bad enough, weight gain is another contributing factor that most women in  their menopausal years have to deal with. And while the two tend to go hand in hand due to a combination of factors like decreased estrogen, slower metabolism and lifestyle factors (such as poor diet and lack of exercise) tipping the scale in your favor is not as hard as you may think. The key lies in making minimal changes that can easily be adapted to your daily routine. So, if you are guilty of one of the following, start correcting your eating habits today.

Read on for 10 eating mistakes you need to avoid:

1. Reduce your sugar consumption

Hormonal fluctuations often arise as a result of menopause, which can affect your body's ability to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Reducing your sugar intake is therefore a key component to weight loss and maintenance. Taking an all-or-nothing approach, however, is not the way to go about it. Rather, the key lies in reducing your sugar intake by consuming refined sugars, like those found in cookies and cakes, less frequently. Natural sugars, like that in fruit, should be your main source of sweetness.

 Health & Lifestyle > Health

Of all the parts of our body, our genitalia contains the parts we almost never talk about, even though they are natural parts of our bodies. These two organs complete each other to create new life in one of the most pleasurable processes we can experience. So putting shyness aside, I'd like to share with you some very educational facts about the male and female genitalia that may surprise you.

9 Facts About the Penis

The small appendage has a plethora of nicknames, as well as some surprising facts.

1. The penis has no bones, so how does it harden?

Apes and monkeys have bones in their penis, but humans do not. The penis has fiber tissues that swell up with blood, and that is how it gets hard. If you've heard about people 'breaking their penis', you should know the reason for the break is actually from damage to its outer tissue. If the problem is left untreated, scar tissue can form and cause Peyronie's disease, causing pain, erectile dysfunction and damage to the shape of the penis.

2. Size does matter... to men

Studies show that the average length of an erect male penis is 13.12 cm, but researchers also found that this information doesn't make most men feel good about themselves, even if they have a higher-than-average size. A study performed at King's College in London found that penis size anxiety is related to undiagnosed depression.

3. The health of the body and that of the penis are linked

If you're a man and you've been having a hard time getting an erection lately, you should examine your lifestyle. Are you sleeping enough? Have you gained a bit of weight? Men who are overweight tend to have lower levels of testosterone in their bodies, and so may suffer erectile dysfunction. Men who aren't sleeping enough or who don't exercise may also harm their ability to have an erection.

4. It can grow

A pair of Italian urologists from the University of Turin who were not satisfied with the size of their members, conducted a research on a system known as “stretching”. The system is supposed to help increase the size of your penis without surgical intervention. The men who took part in the research would stretch their penis for several hours a day over the course of four months. The results were an increase of 1.5-2.5cm (0.6-1 inch). If you’re looking for an easier way to make your own organ grow, another study found that during oral sex, penis measurements increase than in other kinds of arousal.

5. It’s more flexible than you think

A research conducted in 2002 in the University of Stanford, researchers analyzed pictures of couples during coitus inside an MRI machine. They discovered that in the missionary position, the penis bends to a boomerang-like shape when it’s in the vagina.

6. Cigarettes can make it smaller

Research show that cigarettes not only lower a person’s libido, it also may cause weaker erections. The reason is that smoking shrinks the arteries, thus hindering the erection process.

A language teacher was explaining to her class that in French, nouns unlike their English counterparts, are grammatically designated as masculine or feminine.

Humor > Funny

A man returns home a day early from a business trip. It's after midnight.While en route home he asks the cabby if he would be a witness. The man suspects his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act. For $100, the cabby agrees. 

Science & Tech > Computers & Internet

In the last 20 years, computers have become a necessity. People can spend hours in front of one at work, only to come back home and use their personal one, for which they paid a handsome sum. Sadly, many people unknowingly engage in actions that are harmful to their computer. We’re all guilty of one or two of these actions, so I’ve compiled a list of the 16 most common things we do incorrectly, and how to do them without needing to take your computer for repairs.

1. Blocking the Computer’s Vents

Trying to save space can often lead you to placing your computer close against the wall, desk, sofa, curtains, etc. The vents are vital in keeping the computer cool, and anything that blocks them may cause it to overheat. High temperatures damage the internal circuitry, so keeping the computer nice and cool by not blocking the vents should be a priority.

2. Deleting System Files

When we use our computer, we sometimes clog the hard drive with pictures, movies, music, and other junk. When the hard drive is full, it works harder, making your computer sluggish. The problem arises when inexperienced users try to clear up space by deleting files they don’t know of, and more often than not – they delete important system files. Deleting these files can render the computer inoperable, or prevent certain features from functioning (example: deleting system files related to the sound drive can disable your ability to listen to music, etc.) Don’t delete any files ending with.SYS,.DLL, or.EXE, in particular from these directories: Program Files, System32, Windows, Users.

3. Cleaning the Screen with Liquids

When you want to clean your computer screen, you probably use a wet wipe or some basic cleaning detergent, but this may actually damage it. Any type of liquid can cause corrosion if it gets into the screen, and detergents (even natural ones) may damage the special coating on the screen. The best way to clean a computer screen is by using a dry microfiber cloth, or the same kind of cloth you use to clean your eyeglasses.

4. Pushing the CD/DVD Tray to Close it

Even I do this from time to time, instead of pushing the open/close button on the drive. You may think that these actions are the same, but when you apply force to the drive, you can break the opening and closing mechanism. So next time you’re closing the drive, use the button.

Health & Lifestyle > Health

Back pain is one of the most persistent, chronic pains we must deal with in our lifetime, and we'd be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't had to deal with it from time to time. That is why it's important to work on the right areas and muscles that not only prevent muscle pain by lowering the stress on our back and lower back areas, but also help to alleviate the pain that comes with it.

Here are four simple yet effective exercises you can perform a few times a week to protect your back in the present and in the future...

1. Lay on your right side in a straight line, legs continuing the line of your torso. Lean on your arm, while you make sure your elbow is lined up straight under your shoulder.

Humor > Funny

A guy at a bar was just looking at his drink. He stays like that for half an hour. Then, this big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying.

The truck driver says, "Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I'll buy you another drink. I just can't stand to see a man cry."  "No, it's not that. It's just that this day is the worst of my life...

First, I fall asleep, and I get to my office late.  My boss, outraged, fires me. When I leave the building, and head towards my car, I find out it was stolen. The police said that they can do nothing. I get a cab to return home, and when I leave it, I remember I left my wallet and credit cards there. The cab driver just drives away."  

I go home, and when I get there, I find my wife in bed with the gardener. I leave home, and come to this bar.  And just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison."

Inspirational > Spirituality

For many years, I was my own worst enemy. I surrounded myself with toxic people, adopted unhealthy habits, and behaved like none of this had any consequences. Boy was I wrong. I have made some changes in my life, and my behavior and the results were astounding. I now want to share these changes with you, in the hope that it will help you too.

1. Don’t associate with the wrong people

People who make you feel like you’re not worth their time, who treat you like you’re beneath them, or who never back you up when you need them to are not people you should spend time with. True friends will make time for you and stick with you through thick and thin.

2. Stop avoiding your problems

It may be the easy thing to do in the short term, but in the long run, you’ll just face them again and again. It’s better to tackle hardship head-on. You probably won’t solve your problems instantly, but the process is what counts – learn from your mistakes, adapt and grow. Eventually, it’ll make you a better, stronger person.

3. Don’t lie to yourself

Honesty is the best policy, and being honest with yourself is the most important part of this policy. When you lie to yourself, you know that you’re lying, so it’s pointless and will make you feel like a disingenuous person. Don’t do it.

4. Don’t ignore your own needs

You may want to be there for all of your friends, all the time, or you may think that your children’s needs come before your happiness. They don’t. If you suppress your needs, you’ll become tired, because fighting a need is tiresome, and you’ll end up unhappy at best and severely depressed at worst. Take some “me time” - indulge in a hobby or passion. It’s worth it.

5. Be yourself

Trying to be someone you’re not is hard work, and ultimately, you’ll always be afraid others will find out. The most gratifying relationships are with people who appreciate you for who you are, not who you want others to think you are.

6. Let go of the past

It cannot be changed, so learn from it and get on with it.

7. You can make mistakes

“To err is human, to forgive is divine” – we all make mistakes, and no one is perfect. The only way to make no mistakes is to do nothing, and people who are afraid of mistakes are often paralyzed by that fear. The more things you avoid out of fear, the more regrets you’ll end up having.

8. Let bygones be bygones

Staying up late at night, thinking of all of the things you did wrong, all of the conversations that could have gone differently if you’d have said (or hadn't said) that one thing? You’re wasting your time and energy. Past mistakes are done and gone - you can learn from them, make amends, and move on. The knowledge learned from the mistakes you made in the past are helping to shape your future. They will end up making you a better person.

9. Money can’t buy you happiness

That new TV, shiny car, those diamond earrings – they may make you happy for a few minutes, a few days or even a couple of years, but true happiness comes from within. Follow your passions and enjoy life – that will make you truly happy.

10. Happiness is in you, not in other people

Other people are looking for happiness just like you, they may like to join you for the ride, but the only person responsible for your happiness - is you.

11. A rolling stone gathers no moss

Problems and fears can paralyze you and get you stuck. You may need to stop over-thinking and try a different approach, but always take decisive action once you do. Sure, you’ll make mistakes, but at least you won’t be stuck anymore.

12. Don’t get into a relationship just because you’re lonely

A relationship requires two people who are both ready and willing to be in a relationship. Loneliness may be a terrible feeling, but being with the wrong person ends up feeling even worse. You’ll find the right person as long as you’re true to yourself.