SELF HEALTH + HEALING

As you probably know from the very particular way you take your coffee, not all sweeteners are created equal. The market is booming with sugar substitutes: From saccharin-sweetened Sweet'N Low to aspartame-sweetened Equal, there are plenty of ways to make your cup of joe a bit less bitter. For fewer calories, many choose these sugar alternatives and put up with an artificial flavor or a funky aftertaste.

It's no wonder Americans have grown accustomed to these various sweetening options: More than 78 million U.S. adults are obese, and sugar-dense foods and beverages may be a major contributing factor. We're in search of a sweet but healthy solution.

Stevia, an FDA-approved sweetener, attempts to be the answer."

Flu season is upon us and we want to know the facts: Can you prevent the flu naturally or is the vaccination the way to go?

AT THE TURN OF EVERY WINTER SEASON, we begin to see advertisements and promotions for the dreaded flu vaccination. While most of us shudder at the thought of an injection, past experiences of piping-hot fevers, bone-rattling chills and blinding headaches makes us think twice. This leads us to question whether the vaccination is necessary, or if we can hope to build up our immune system naturally to ward off those nasty bugs during flu season. Fact or fiction: A vaccination is necessary to prevent the flu.

Hurting after a brutal workout? These natural cures can help manage the pain of sports related injuries.

My warrior mentality usually serves me well. I rarely wimp out on a workout and I understand how important it is to keep the body moving, but sometimes, this same mindset has turned around and bitten me in the butt.

It is paramount to listen to your body and know when to take a break or back off, but on the occasion when you get too zealous and jump into overdrive, it’s good to have a few natural remedies in your arsenal. Here are four of them!