Spending time in the great outdoors this winter? If you live in a place that gets true winter weather, you'll need a warm coat, some fleece-lined mittens, a quality pair of snow boots ... and something warm to drink. In my family, it's tradition to pack a thermos of mulled wine when we head out to the wilderness for our annual Christmas tree hunt -- the warm, boozy liquid really hits the spot when it's the kind of day that makes your nose run.

Red wine is considered the healthiest of the alcohols, and since red wine in the main ingredient in mulled wine, it's probably healthy too, right? What do you think?

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Mariska Hargitay, one of my favourite prime time TV actresses, is gracing the cover of Self this month. Take a peek between the pages because the stunning Emmy-winning actress is dishing about her healthy habits and how they keep her looking young. Fitsugar has the scoop on some of her notable quotes.

Hargitay, 44, says, "You know how you wake up in the morning and sometimes you look gorgeous and sometimes you look like you got hit by a Mack truck? I've realized my Mack truck is food. If I don't have sugar, yeast, and wine, I have no undereye bags and my skin is perfect!" However, when talking about indulgences, she adds, "I'm not going to give up wine for life. Everything in moderation. It's not about being fat or thin. I'm a full-figured woman. It's about, how am I going to keep up my energy." She also admits that she let her fitness routine fall to the wayside when filming the previous season of Law and Order: SVU but she's determined to get back into it in the off-season.

She sounds like a really grounded, balanced role model, don't you think?

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How great would it be to eat whatever you want while not gaining a pound and fighting your risk of diabetes at the same time? There's no two ways about it -- that would be pretty freaking fantastic. And that's just what a recently-developed man-made drug is promising.

SRT1720, as it is currently known, harnesses the powerful nutrient resveratrol (yes, the so-called 'wonder ingredient' in red wine), which tricks the body into burning fat reserves. It could also increase stamina and protect against potentially fatal diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. In trials on mice, rodents given the drug didn't gain any weight, even though they were fed fatty food and were able to run twice as fast, though they needed to be forced into exercise.

What do you think? Is this truly the wonder drug we've been waiting for? Or does it sound like just a lot of hot air from the pharmaceutical industry?

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A reduced risk of cardiovascular disease has long been associated with the antioxidant properties found in red wine. The high level of polyphenols can help keep arteries unclogged and the heart pumping at a healthy rate. Well, it turns out that these same polyphenol compounds may help prevent against fat storage.

A recent Israeli study found that the polyphenols found in red wine help your body block the absorption of fat. And, just in case you're not much of a wine drinker, it seems as though similar results can be obtained from red wine marinades.

To make your wine shopping more enjoyable, why not try visiting some of your local vineyards? There, you'll be able to sample many of their unique varieties during a wine tasting. For a listing of vineyards in your area, visit Wine and Times, the website that allows you to plan your own winery tour anywhere in the U.S.

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Looking for the perfect man? Chances are he doesn't exist. Want to find the perfect man for you? Ah, now that is a much more attainable and realistic goal. Now for the guys out there reading -- do you want to BE the perfect man? Needless to say, perfection is an extremely subjective classification, so don't kill yourself trying to be all things to all people. However, an article in the recent issue of Men's Health (British Edition, mate) shows that it is possible to at least determine how you measure up against most other blokes.

In your quest for perfection (or at least as close to it as possible), take note of these "perfect" statistics:

9am & 3pm - The perfect times to do 30 minutes of exercise four or five days a week to raise your metabolic rate

50.5 -- The perfect age at which to write your novel (based on an analysis of The Times bestseller list since 1955)

31 years, 9 months - The perfect age to get married (source: University College of London)

30 minutes - The perfect amount of time for a power nap to improve motor skills and cognition (according to the National Institutes of Health)

0.75 grams - The perfect amount of protein to consumer per pound of bodyweight while following a regular resistance training routine (source: University of Western Ontario)

Red wine is known for its heart-healthy compounds, but a glass a day may hold promise for people with type 2 diabetes, say researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

According to the UMass scientists, blood glucose levels rise sharply in people with type 2 after they finish a meal high in carbohydrates. But, the natural antioxidants found in red wine may slow the passage of glucose through the small intestine and eventually into the bloodstream, thus prevent this spike.

The researchers also tested other popular drinks for their affect on blood sugar, finding that red wine was clearly the most successful in preventing a spike. However, though not as effective as red wine, black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white wine had some effect.

The reported cancer-fighting properties of red wine were recently studied by French researchers, who reported in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) that high doses of polyphenols -- the active antioxidants in red wine -- can shut down and prevent cancerous tumors.

So, how much wine does one have to drink to obtain the health benefits of polyphenols? An entire bottle per day!! But, since drinking an entire bottle of wine every day isn't really healthy in most other ways, a better approach to get this large amount of polyphenols is to follow a diet rich in fresh produce.

This, of course, doesn't mean I'm suggesting that you cork your bottle of red wine for good. Oh contraire. Drinking one glass of wine per day can still provide some degree of protection against certain types of cancer, as well as ailments of the heart and circulatory system.

The cardiovascular benefits of drinking a glass of red wine daily have long been known by scientists and everyday people like you and me for quite some time now. We've heard about how the antioxidant properties can help mitigate radical damage, and how reversatrol, a compound found in grape skins, has a direct effect on protecting our hearts.

But what about the rest of our body?

Well, it turns out that red wine can not only help us feel better, but it can also help us look better!! Researchers at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology in France found that drinking wine can help you lose weight and increase endurance.

Reversatrol, the same part of the grape skin that helps cardiac function, may also increase energy-producing components within muscle cells, according to the study. This compound can be found in supplement form as grape seed extract at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and other retailers. As for where red wine can be found, well, I'm sure you know a place or two.

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For several days now, I've been writing an ongoing series of diet and fitness posts titled "Why the Pounds Are Sticking Around," which are a collection of tips sourced from the health magazine Self. Since the response has been so positive, I decided to forge ahead with an idea I had for a series of healthy living posts. Since exercise and training are more my forte, I sought out information from an outside source -- Men's Health magazine. To that end, I found ten great health and wellness tips that I thought would be perfect for pieces on healthy living.

So, just as I have been doing with the diet and fitness posts, I will also be posting one healthy living tip per day as part of a series I think I'm going to call "Living Well." I think you'll find these tips to be as interesting and as helpful as I did.

Healthy Tip #4 - Wine and fine

The antioxidant properties of red wine have long been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The high level of polyphenols can help keep arteries unclogged and the heart pumping the way it should be. Well, it turns out that these same polyphenol compounds may help prevent against fat storage.

According to the article in Men's Health, a recent Israeli study found that the polyphenols found in red wine help your body block the absorption of fat. And, just in case you're not much of a wine drinker, it seems as though similar results can be obtained from red wine marinades.

Here's to your health ... and your figure!!

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The other day, I went for coffee with a friend, and instead of ordering her usual cup of joe, she ordered a cup of tea. 'Cutting down on caffeine?' I asked her. 'Oh no,' she told me, 'But I've noticed my teeth haven't looked as white lately and I suspect the coffee has something to do with it.' Which, of course, made me look wistfully at my beloved Americano and wondered if I was doing my pearly whites a disservice.Truth is, considering that my few joys in life are coffee and red wine, the answer is probably yes.

However, I've never really considered the effect my daily coffee has on my teeth. Have you? If not, check out this article from AOL on the top teeth stainers. Here are few surprising sources of discoloured teeth:

• Too much fluoride.
• Certain medications, including tetracycline and some antihistamines
• Colourful foods like soy sauce and cranberries
• Dental damage
• Beer

As for drinks? The rule of thumb is this: If it can stain your carpet, it can stain your teeth. Yikes!

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Do you have high blood pressure? If you do, that means you know about it. If you don't, it either means that you know that you don't, OR that you actually do but just aren't aware. A little confusing, I know. The point I'm driving at is that about one-third of American adults who have high blood pressure don't know that they do.

First, what is a normal blood pressure reading? Anything less than 120 over 80. If that's not you, then you now know that you may have high blood pressure.

Second, steps to lower it. Exercise can help you lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Lowering your salt intake may also help, as salt can increase blood volume, causing extra stress on your cardiovascular system. And, a glass of red wine a day has been shown to help reduce blood vessel inflammation.

Third, know what you don't know. Does that even make sense? I'm not sure. Get your BP checked. There, that was much easier.

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Who knew that when you toast to your health, the response time was so quick? Well, it turns out that champagne can help reduce inflammation, thereby reducing your risk of heart disease.

Spanish scientists found that drinking 10 daily ounces of cava (a Spanish sparkling wine) for a month, they experienced a twenty-five percent reduction in blood markers of inflammation.

Cava, like red wine, contains a considerably high level of polyphenols, which studies have shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's and arthritis.

To your health, indeed.

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With the holidays already in full swing, it's easy to let your healthy habits fall to the wayside. Between on-the-go meals, savory feasts, and skipped gym trips, you may find yourself stepping on the scale and saying ho-ho-holy cow I've gained weight.

One way to help avoid this happening is to be cognizant of the calories you drink. Specifically, those sourced from drinks containing alcohol. A single vodka martini packs 165 calories, a designer beer has 170 calories, a gin martini contains 200 calories, and a Red Bull and Vodka kicks you with 210 calories.

Worse yet, drinking alcohol lowers inhibitions. So, not only will you suddenly have the courage to jump up on the bar and start dancing, but you will also be more apt to reach for a late-night slice or five of pizza. Bad decisions beget bad decisions.

To avoid this calorie disaster, try either abstaining from alcohol entirely, or (when that doesn't work) reach for less calorie-laden drinks, such as a Bacardi and Diet Coke (100 calories) or a glass of red wine, which is lower in calories and also provides you with healthy antioxidants.

I suppose you can call it a 2-for-1 Deal. That is, there may be a second benefit to drinking a glass of red wine every day.

By now it is fairly well known that the flavanoids in red wine may help reduce cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. But, a study presented at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting put forth the possibility that antioxidants found in grape seeds may also prevent ultraviolet rays from weakening the immune system and stressing skin.

By feeding hairless mice either a standard diet or one rich in grape seed supplements, then exposing all of the mice to UV light, researchers found that the grape seed consuming group of mice had up to 68 percent fewer -- and 78 percent smaller -- skin tumors than the non-grape seed consuming group of mice.

This of course does not suggest that if you drink a great deal of red wine and/or regularly take grape seed supplements that you should eat whatever you want and take up residency on the surface of the sun. For a healthy heart, regular exercise is of enormous importance. And for true safety from the sun's harmful UV rays, applying copious amounts of sunscreen still seems to be the best approach.

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Flat abs are like the holy grail of fitness. Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic because some people actually do have real six packs, but for most of us? A flat stomach seems unattainable, despite hours of cardio and countless crunches. But don't give up. Here are some foods to load up on if you're trying to trim the bulge around your midsection:

1. Fruits and Veggies. With lots of fiber and antioxidants, fruits and veggies will make your whole body healthier
   
2. Selenium. This nutrient has been linked to smaller waistlines. To make sure you're getting enough, eat a varied diet full of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
   
3. Protein. It will keep you full and full of energy, which will lead to weight loss.
4. Red wine. A glass of red wine with dinner has been linked to smaller waistlines, particularly in women. If you don't already drink, don't take up the habit, but if you like wine, drink up (in moderation.)
5. Healthy fats. Think olive oil, fish and flaxseed -- and anything else with Omega-3. Fats to avoid? Omega-6s (found in baked good, corn oil and cereal) -- they'll pile pounds onto your tummy. And always avoid trans fats.

Don't be fooled by these 12 "healthy" foods that really aren't:

Why? Click to find out!

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