Love the rich, flavourful, fresh cuisine of Greece and Italy? Eat up! Not only is the Mediterranean diet effective and recommended by medical professionals, but a recent study shows that it protects against all major chronic diseases, according to this article from the Daily Mail.

That's a pretty bold claim, but it seems to be legit. Researchers in the UK analyzed data from 12 different studies worldwide that took place over time periods of up to 18 years and found that those who followed a Mediterranean diet closely had a significantly longer lifespan and a lower risk of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet is high in nuts, fish, whole grains, healthy fats, fresh fruits and veggies and even red wine in moderation. To find out how you can incorporate it into your diet, click here.

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Eating healthy meals usually isn't all that difficult to do. If you have a little prep time and a few good recipes, you can usually do wonders. But, what may not be so easy to come up with are ideas for healthy snacks. While it may not always seem like it, there are many to choose from. For the sake of this post, though, I would like to turn your attention to a healthy, yet oft-forgotten, fruit. The fig.

Fig Newton's? Not exactly. But, not any less tasty (but far less carbs and simple sugar). That's what to expect from these nutrient-filled fruits. Figs were eaten in abundance by the ancient athletes of Greece and Rome, who relied on these high-fiber treats to help them build their godlike, statuesque physiques. What's to say, then, that they can't help you do the same?

In addition to containing a host of valuable nutrients -- including iron, calcium, potassium -- and antioxidants, they are also a natural laxative. Though this last part may not seem like much of a benefit to some, it's important to remember that keeping your bowels clean promotes good health and can help you lose weight.

So, the next time you're hungry, reach for this fruit of the gods. You'll be looking like Adonis before you know it!!

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Although the United States clearly takes the cake (and devours every last piece of it) as the fattest country in the world, there are many European nations who also seem to be indulging a bit too much these days.

Tipping the scales with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 is -- well, that's us here in the good ol' U.S. of A. Not far behind, however, are the following nations:

~ Italy: 24.3 (The pasta diet - "I never walk pasta good meal!")

~ France: 24.5 (These 'Francy' eaters are chowing on their namesake fries and toast a bit too often)

~ Poland: 24.8 (Sausages Warsaw being eaten by the dozen)

~ Netherlands: 24.9 ("Hollandaise Me")

~ Belgium: 25.1 (Also known as 'Bulgium')

~ United Kingdom: 25.4 (United under what king? The Burger King?)

~ Hungary: 25.6 (Not anymore)

~ Finland: 25.8 ("F" inland, it's time to start jogging to the outer land, too)

~ Greece: 25.9 (Enough said)

BMI plays a crucial role in our cardiovascular health and risk for metabolic syndrome. Clearly, the growing waistline problem is not limited to the borders of the United States, making this a global problem.

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This article is one of my recent favorites because I love to travel and I love to eat, but I'm always afraid of coming back from a trip to hear a chorus of "well, you certainly didn't starve!" So I took heart when I read about the author's 3-month journey to Greece nearly 2 decades ago. She had the same fears as I do when she set off, but found that eating well on holiday does not necessarily equal a rounder, fuller figure.

Sure she was eating a traditional Mediterranean diet, which is now considered one of the healthiest in the world, but she also discusses how what she ate didn't matter as much as how she ate. Fresh, organic foods straight from the garden were the norm, as was cooking with heart-healthy olive oil instead of fatty butter. She found that the Greeks tend to incorporate lots of healthy vegetable dishes into each meal, making them a regular part of the diet rather than an afterthought. Meals took several hours to eat, so everyone was able to fully enjoy the flavors in the food, as well as their dining company. Plus, not rushing allowed them to realize when they were full, rather than gorging on too much too fast.

If you love the idea of the eating the Mediterranean way as much as I do, take a look at the article to see ideas on how to make it a reality in your life. There are also a number of recipes for delicious-looking Greek dishes you can try at home.

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On Prevention Magazine's website, I was drawn to this article by Lia Huber, which lists a number of healthy tips that she learned while spending the summer in Greece. I too spent a summer in Greece, but unlike Lia, my summer was characterized by too many nights spent in the tourist party spots followed by late-night snacks of Gyros wraps ( complete with tonnes on Tzatziki and even a few french fries thrown in for flavour), lots of beer, sleeping until noon and very little activity during what was left of the day. But hey. Those were my university days. And her tips are much more conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of her suggestions:

• Eat fresh
• Switch to Olive Oil
• Eat your Veggies
• Make meals time about more than just food -- enjoy the company of friends and family
• Slow down
• Don't just feed your body -- feed your soul, too.
  

I think these are great suggestions, for the summer and for life. What about you?

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There's a frenzy afoot in Greece over a "miracle drink" that is said to cure cancer. This mix of olive leaves and water -- mixed in a blender -- is being touted on Greek TV as a cure-all by the manufacturers and elderly cancer patients claiming to have been cured by the mixture.

Health officials are concerned that patients will turn away from conventional medicine in favor of a treatment whose success has never been formally tested. In fact, though olive trees grow all over Greece, the makers of this miracle cure have convinced people to pay 60 euros (about $79 U.S.) for a little over two pounds of the medicine.

Stories like this one highlight just how devastating of a disease cancer is for those who suffer it and those who care for them. The ray of hope offered by such a miracle cure must be hard to pass up, even if it seems like a long shot. Though I hope the profiteers of this olive and water concoction truly believe in their product, my gut tells me otherwise. What do you think?

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For most Americans, vacation comes in two different shapes and forms: some or none. Which is why when the time does roll around we can come off a bit picky about how we choose to use that time and where we intend to spend it. Remember, this is almost like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some. If you want to spend this well-earned time on an exciting, refreshing, and healthy journey away from home, consider a yoga vacation.

Currently, more than 20 retreats in the continental U.S. and much more abroad offer yoga getaways. According to Yoga Journal, picking your dream yoga destination can be just as tiring as the workload you carry in your 40-plus hour work week if you don't know what to look for. This article helps those ready to escape to happy holistic times by providing the 411 on retreats and resorts. Know the difference, because it can make or break your dreamy vision of the place upon arrival. They offer numbers to outfitters in Hawai'i and places as far out as Molivos in the Greek Isles and India. Naturally, you should have an idea of the kind of yoga practice you're into, but a new environment may also be a good time to try something completely new. Their best advice is to start with your local instructor, who may be able to recommend interesting yoga getaway options.

Want more tips? Check out the full article. Have you been on a mind-blowing yoga vacation and want to share? Throw some of your own suggestions out into the blogosphere.

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