That's Fit

Broccoli -- it's the bane of every child's existence at a dinner table, but it also happens to be a known cancer fighter. So, for that reason and myriad others, kids and adults alike would do well to grin and bear through the somewhat lackluster flavor. Of course, there are a number of ways you can spruce up the taste -- the way you season it, what you top it with, and even how you cook it. But, of all your broccoli-enhancing choices, boiling it is probably the worst idea.

This has less to do with taste and more to do with your health, according to researchers from Warwick University in England. Based on the findings during a 2007 study, boiling broccoli for even ten minutes can reduce its immune-boosting, cancer-battling glucosinolates by as much as 80 percent.

To keep your broccoli in fighting form, either steam it or keep boiling time to five minutes or less (doing so demonstrated only a ten percent reduction in glucosinolates). As for more specific tips on how to improve the taste of this cruciferous vegetable, I'll leave that information to you. Cooking is not even close to my thing.

I was in the checkout line at Target the other day and spotted a steam mop on the conveyor belt behind my stuff. I asked the woman behind me about it. She was trying it for the first time. At $40, she figured she couldn't lose. Well, anything but $40. But anyway, it piqued my curiosity. Turns out, it's the hot new trend in cleaning supplies.

A recent Washington Post article on the subject offers a pretty nice overview of the method. As for effectiveness and the potential to provide relief for allergy sufferers, steam cleaners seem promising. They are not a "magic wand," but myriad types of steam cleaners can apparently clean things from floors to outdoor grills pretty well. And because hot steam is touted for its ability to kill dust mites, mold and other allergens, they appeal to allergy sufferers.

Another lure is that the method offers a healthier alternative to chemical cleaners and is therefore kinder to the environment, especially waste water. But as with many eco-friendly efforts, there's an "inevitable weighing of pros and cons." Steam cleaners require electricity to use and energy for production and transport and will eventually add to solid waste in landfills.

What's the big deal about a facial? I used to ask this question of my facial-fanatic friends until I had one myself. I imagine that anyone who has ever gone for a professional facial would agree that they're pretty great. Other than the extractions, pretty much everything about this ultimate pampering experience is fantastic.

Some facials are definitely better than others -- one in particular that sticks out for me included lower leg and foot, full arm, shoulder, neck and head massages during the normally fairly boring bit where they leave you to relax while the face mask sets -- but extra massage or no, pretty much any facial will be a worthwhile experience.

Inflammation and stress have been proven to have harmful effects on a person's health, and now a group of experts have put together evidence that how you prepare food is just as important as what you're preparing when it comes to eating healthy. Cooking foods at high temperatures without water (like frying or baking) increases the amount of AGEs (advanced gycation end-products) present, which are directly linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress levels. Cooking foods by steaming, boiling, and stewing (or better yet, eating raw and fresh whenever possible) yields much fewer AGEs.

This is a hard one for me, because although I love steamed veggies I really love everything baked and stir-fried too!