What Do You Fear About Getting Older? Here's 4 Ways It Might Be Getting Easier

We hear a lot--a lot!--about the things we should fear when it comes to getting older. Memory loss. Osteoporosis. Sagging skin. But, since we can't exactly just stop getting older, maybe we can take a look at some of the new research being done to help ease the process...

* Vitamin B12 might play a role in helping protect seniors against Alzheimer's. Researchers aren't exactly sure how yet--they do know it involves more than just taking a B12 supplement--but this could be good news for neurodegenerative diseases.

* Strawberries, blueberries, acai berries (and other dark-colored berries) contain polyphenolics, which help protect the brain against age-related mental decline.

Stinky Feet, Dry Skin? What Body Issues Do You Stress About?

Recently, when I asked you about how you felt about no-shoe policies in others' homes (such interesting responses!), one commenter honestly admitted the reason why she's uncomfortable taking hers off: stinky feet. (Hi psuajblue!) Read what she said, and tell me what about your body causes you similar anxiety...

Vitamin G reader psuajblue had this to say about her feet: "Getting a little personal, but...I have smelly feet in certain shoes! I would be sooo embarrassed to have to take them off!" More on how to tame smelly feet, from one of my past posts, here.

Love her honesty! Because, let's face it, most all of us have a part of our body that gives us a little anxiety--whether it's the hair on our upper lip, a nose that we're less than thrilled about, or flabby arms. So, don't think you're alone in this department--not for a second.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Start Your Day Cleansed and Refreshed With This Unusual Beverage

Everywhere I turn, it seems, I'm hearing about people who have given up coffee, tea, milk and juice in the morning (the usual stuff), in favor of this odd beverage that they claim makes them feel hydrated, refreshed, energized, and generally amazing. Want to try it?

I'm pretty bonded with my morning coffee, but I have to admit, after hearing about two friends--and countless celebrities (including beauty Molly Sims)--who have made the switch to hot lemon water in the mornings, I'm thinking about giving it a try.

Fans of hot lemon water (and that's as simple as it sounds: hot water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice), say it improves digestion, energy, vitality, skin radiance, and the list goes on. Of course, none of these claims are backed up by science, but I do know nutritionists and other health experts who personally subscribe to the hot-lemon-water thinking.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Something New (and Healthy) to Sweeten Your Morning Coffee

How do you take your coffee? I'm a half-and-half kind of girl. But, I'm kind of digging these new, all-natural sweeteners ...

I was recently sent a few bottles of Wholesome Sweeteners new line of flavored blue agave syrups. It's sort of a fun spin on agave, which many of us (me included) are fans of. The cinnamon and vanilla flavors are divine--I repeat, divine--in coffee or drizzled very lightly on fresh strawberries (not that they needed any extra sweetness, but the carton I bought yesterday was filled with tart strawberries--pucker!).

I like agave because it's less processed than table sugar and it's also 25 percent sweeter, which means you can use less. Bonus: it has a lower glycemic index than sugar, too, which means less chance you'll experience a sugar high followed by a sugar low.

Surprising News: A Healthy Diet May Work Like SPF, Protecting You From Skin Cancer

If I could talk every one of you into one thing this week, it would be to slowly start adopting the so-called "Mediterranean diet," (which isn't a diet at all, of course--just eating like the folks in the Mediterranean do ... lots of fish, veggies, nuts, olive oil, and healthy dairy, like Greek yogurt!). It's good for your heart, of course, may help you live longer, and has also been recently linked with a lower prevalence of skin cancer ...

Want healthier, cancer-free skin? Then be sure you're eating right.

Skin cancer is such a huge concern for all of us these days, as the rates of skin cancer are on the rise (scary), that I wanted to share this interesting news with you: By simply eating a "Mediterranean" diet, you may be effectively protecting your skin from skin cancer.

The 10 Most Embarrassing Things to Buy at a Drugstore

Buying tampons from a male drugstore clerk used to embarrass me, but not so much anymore. Tampons are a fact of life. But, somehow, buying any of the following very personal and revealing items, could be a tad cringe-worthy...

1. Maxi pads (especially the super-duper, almost-a-diaper variety you have to wear after having a baby)

2. Anything "anti-fungal"

3. Wart medicine

4. Condoms and lubricant

5. Yeast infection medicine

6. Pregnancy tests (you know the clerk is looking at you like, "is she, or isn't she?")

7. Personal wipes (because you're announcing to the world that "toilet paper isn't enough to clean this business.")

Breakfast At Your Desk: Persimmon Coffee Cake

I am so fascinated with persimmons! My husband grew up eating them when he visited his grandparent's amazing San Jose nursery where they had a big tree in the back yard. They're delicious fresh or dried--and in this coffee cake application (yum!)...

Doesn't a warm slice of coffee cake spiked with persimmons sound so yummy? Persimmons are such an exotic and nutrient-spiked fall fruit. I'm absolutely smitten and planning on giving this recipe, from the darling blog Jessica's Dinner Party, a try!

Persimmon Coffee Cake

Recipe courtesy of Jessica's Dinner Party

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup whole-wheat or all purpose flour