Health & Lifestyle > Food & Drinks

Creamy soups, gooey foods, and other fattening favorites tend to be the top food contenders come winter. But these hearty, comforting salads with ingredients like beef, sweet potatoes, and roasted cauliflower, will take your mind off classic winter comfort food. Here are 6 salads you'll surely enjoy this winter.

1. Steak Salad With Eggplant, Peppers, and Onion

This winter salad's main ingredient is beef. We recommend you use grass-fed beef, due to its richer content in omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (a type of fat that may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer).

Calories: 335; Total Time: 48 minutes

Ingredients (Yield: 4)

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, and some more for baking sheets
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 8 ounces skirt steak
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 medium eggplants (about 1 lb. total), cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (about 5 cups)
• 2 red bell peppers (about 1 lb. total), quartered and seeded
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 cup ricotta
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat the broiler (or grill), placing a rack on the top shelf (close to heat source). Then line 2 racks with baking paper or foil and brush lightly with oil. In a large bowl or ziplock bag, combine 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon rosemary, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add the steak and combine the marinade well. If using a bowl, cover and let the beef sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.

2. Place the eggplants, peppers and onions in a single layer on baking sheets, brushing the tops with a little oil (about 2 1/2 tablespoons). Sprinkle the vegetables with 2 teaspoons rosemary and some salt and pepper. Broil or grill the vegetables in batches, turning once, until they appear tender and golden brown on both sides.

3. In a nonstick pan, add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil over medium heat. Remove steak, discarding the marinade and cook on pan, turning occasionally. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes in total (depending on thickness). Transfer to a chopping board and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

If kept covered, this delicious salad will keep in the fridge for about 10 days.

Calories: 314; Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients (Yield: 4)

• 1 head garlic
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
• 1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 anchovies packed in oil, patted dry
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 5 sun-dried tomato halves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 can tuna packed in olive oil, drained and flaked

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F, placing a rack at the center of the oven. Meanwhile, cut the garlic head in half (horizontally), wrapping each half in foil. Roast on a baking sheet until very soft (about 30 minutes). Then, carefully unwrap and squeeze out the cloves into a blender or small food processor. Add the oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, anchovies and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the mix. Blend until smooth.

Humor > Funny

A retired gentleman went into the social security office to apply for social security. After waiting in line for a long time, he got to the counter. The woman behind the counter asked him for his driver's license to verify his age.

He looked in his pockets and realized he had left his wallet at home. He told the woman that he was very sorry but he seemed to have left his wallet at home. “Will I have to go home and come back now?” he asks.

When he gets home, the man excitedly tells his wife about his experience at the social security office. She sniffed at him, “You should have dropped your pants, you might have qualified for disability, too.”

When was the last time you visited a sauna and stepped right out before getting too "steamed up"? Well, you might need to rethink that, because apparently, these hot rooms can do some great things to your mind and body. With their origins based in Nordic countries, saunas are nowadays well-immersed in numerous cultures around the world, starting with Finland, where a lot of importance is given to their special health benefits. Let's take a look at some of them here.

1. They rid you of toxins

Saunas are an effective way to flush out toxins from your body. When faced with the intense high temperatures inside the room, your body will sweat extensively, releasing unwanted chemicals that your body might have absorbed in several ways, along with the sweat. This also happens when you sweat from exercise, but saunas offer a much more relaxing way of doing it.

2. They help you lose weight

Just like sweating, sauna therapy shares another mutual benefit with doing physical exercise, and that's burning calories. While you're enjoying your sauna session, your heart rate increases due to the dry heat and your metabolism speeds up. As a result, you will be burning calories. It is scientifically proven that spending 20 minutes in a 170-degree sauna room burns about 500 calories. Isn't that a great way to stay in shape?

Life is not about how far you can go, how high you can jump, or how much weight you can carry. Life is about experience, friendship, family, and the memories they leave with us. Why is it, that so many people are afraid of old age when the years enrich us? This presentation is a lovely reminder that no matter how old you may be, you should always be full of life, even more than when you were young.

Health & Lifestyle > Health

People take a lot of pills today. And sometimes that's ok. But using too many painkillers can really cause your body damage. So, if your pain is small to moderate, nature has provided us with quite a number of natural painkillers. These 19 foods are natural cures and can be used to alleviate many types of pain. 

Muscle Pain – Ginger

Danish researchers found that regular consumption of ginger could reduce chronic muscle and joint pains, as well as swelling and stiffness within just a couple of months. The credit goes to the main ingredient in ginger – Gingerol, which inhibits the production of pain-inducing hormones. A teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger every day will do the trick.

Toothaches – Cloves

Powdered cloves are a known home remedy for toothaches and gingivitis. Furthermore, a recent research from the University of California proved it scientifically by isolating the active ingredient that reduces the pain. It is an organic compound called eugenol – a powerful natural anesthetic. ¼ teaspoon every day will help keep your heart healthy, and scientists are saying that it also aids in stabilizing blood-sugar levels and even starts lowering cholesterol levels within three weeks.

Acid Reflux – Apple Cider Vinegar

If heartburn constantly plagues you, you can stop them with apple cider vinegar. The active ingredients in the vinegar that treat reflux are malic acid and tartaric acid, which quicken digestion and help your body break down fats and proteins. Faster digestion means fewer chances for the stomach to overflow with acids, causing the reflux. By adding just a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water before every meal can prevent acid reflux within 24 hours.

While a healthy heart is something we all want to have, cardiovascular disease affects more than 1 in 3 adults in the US. Thankfully, adopting some simple, everyday habits can make a big difference in how healthy your heart is. Let's take a look at 16 daily habits that are bad for your heart, as well as how to avoid them.

1. Watching too much television

Even if you exercise regularly, sitting for hours on end increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke. The lack of movement may affect blood levels of fats and sugars. So, spare your heart and walk around periodically, making it a point to stand up for certain activities too.

2. Leaving stress, hostility and depression unchecked

How you handle your emotions can affect your health, and leaving emotions such as stress, resentment and depression unchecked can take a toll on your heart. Rather than bottling up your emotions, talk about your problems. Never underestimate the health benefits of social support and a good laugh every once in a while.  

3. Ignoring the snoring

In some cases, snoring may be more than just a minor nuisance. In fact, snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that is marked by interrupted breathing during sleep, which can cause blood pressure to skyrocket. And while people who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk for sleep apnea, slim people may have it too. So if you snore and often wake up feeling tired, talk with your doctor.

4. Not flossing your teeth

Studies have shown a strong link between gum disease and heart disease. Flossing is essential for preventing gum disease, due to the sticky, bacteria-laden plaque that builds up on the gums over time. Consequently, bacteria may trigger inflammation in the body. Inflammation promotes atherosclerosis (a disease of the arteries, characterized by the deposition of fatty material on their inner walls). Therefore, treating gum disease can improve blood vessel function.

I wholeheartedly believe in the expression "age is only a number", and that it is certainly no hindrance to true love. Proving my point are 15 inspiring (and some hilarious) photos teaching us that love knows no age limits and you're certainly never too old to...

... enjoy nature together

...look good for one another

... kick back, relax and enjoy the ride

... tease and play jokes on each other

... hug one another, nice and tight

A lawyer married a woman who had previously divorced ten husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin."

"What?" said the puzzled groom.

"How can that be if you've been married ten times?"

"Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative: he kept telling me how great it was going to be.

Husband #2 was in software services: he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me.

Husband #3 was from field services: he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.

Husband #5 was an engineer: he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.

Husband #6 was from finance and administration: he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.

Husband #7 was in marketing: although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it.

Husband #8 was a psychologist: all he ever did was talk about it.

Husband #9 was a gynecologist: all he did was look at it.

Husband #10 was a stamp collector: all he ever did was lick it... God! I miss him! But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!"

"Good," said the new husband, "but, why?"

"You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"

Few people know that when you encounter a problem without a solution, the best way to deal with it is to think about it in another language. When you use another language, your thinking patterns are different to how you contemplate problems in your mother tongue. But whatever your mother tongue is, think about it as three separate languages: The way you speak when you’re positive, negative, and neutral.

Whenever you’re in one of these states of mind, your thinking and speaking patterns differ. This led experts to name these three language variations Positivese, Negativese, and Neutralese. These all have their time and place, but do you know when to use each one? Here are eight tips that’ll teach you when to use which language.

1. Acknowledge That You Speak in 3 Languages

Just like everyone else, your vocabulary is different when you’re praising someone, criticizing them, or are ambivalent towards them. Acknowledge that you react differently in every situation, and use different vocabulary to convey messages depending on the situation. We all do this subconsciously, but try to be aware when it's happening. Once you understand that the language you use affects your decisions or the message you try to convey to others, you’ll be able to adjust it to work for you.

2. Don’t Try to Ignore the Negativese

People might tell you that being negative is a bad thing, and only dishonest people will claim they don’t have an ounce of negativity in them. These people will tell you that if you practice enough, you’ll stop being negative, and that this is what you’re supposed to do, because there’s no reason to stay in that state of mind. This attitude is flawed because it is impossible to completely avoid negative feelings. We all experience them and at times they can even be useful. The question is not whether you allow negativity into your life, but rather when and why.

Many a time you think you’re being neutral, but still express negative emotions. This usually happens by saying things like “I don’t mean to be negative, but…”, as if by declaring you’re not being negative you convince yourself that is how you really feel. When you avoid negative feelings and negative language, you end up lying to yourself – a prime example of not knowing what language you’re truly speaking.

Accept negative emotions and don’t suppress them, because you have to be in touch with your emotions to be able to convey a specific message. No matter how you phrase it, whatever you have to say will be negative, so at least be honest with yourself.