There’s no question we’ve become a nation of cell phone addicts: More than half of American smartphone owners would rather give up caffeine for a week than part with their mobile devices, according to a recent national survey. Fortunately, that dependency might actually help us kick a less healthy one: smoking. In a recent analysis of five studies, investigators writing in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews concluded that interventions using text messages often doubled a person’s odds of successfully kicking cigarettes....

Be careful not to challenge yourself beyond your limits or, worse yet, to go through the motions and fail to reach your limits! Try to find the fine line between pushing your body just a little past its comfort zone and pushing it into the discomfort zone. Do this workout three or four times a week. (Tighten your tummy and tone every inch in just minutes a day with these exclusive ballet-inspired routines from Prevention’s Flat Belly Barre!...

While mixing two of your favorite things may sound harmless, adding fatty foods and booze to the mix heavily taxes your body’s performance. “You’re just setting yourself up for gastrointestinal distress,” says Liz Applegate, PhD, director of sports nutrition at the University of California in Davis and author of Eat Smart, Play Hard. “You can get gas, bloating, and even diarrhea from simply taking on board too many carbohydrates, especially if you haven’t trained with them....

Like most people, the first thing you probably do after opening up a can of chickpeas is drain off all that juice and give the beans a good rinse. Considering how weirdly viscous and unappetizing it looks, what else are you supposed to do? Turns out, you should think about saving it—and cooking with it. Yup, it sounds odd. But recently, there’s been a lot of chatter about the thick, gooey liquid being an awesome alternative to egg whites....

Whether or not you ditched your New Year’s resolutions long ago (or don’t make any to begin with), finding motivation to squeeze in a workout is a daily battle for most. These simple strategies from Robert Reames, CSCS, CN, CPT, a member of Gold’s Gym’s Fitness Institute, can help make sure you exercise today—and the days, weeks, and years to come. Stay prepared. Put your fitness clothes, shoes, and gear where you need them, before you need them: Next to your bed for a morning run, in your car to hit the gym in between errands, or in your office for a little lunch-time cardio....

Why’s that a problem? As its name suggests, C. difficile, often known as C. diff, isn’t easy to treat—several strains are resistant to antibiotics. An infection with this bug can leave you with watery diarrhea, and in some cases it even progresses to dangerous colon inflammation. Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that nearly half a million people are infected with C. diff per year, and while it’s most notorious for infecting hospital patients, about 35% of cases start elsewhere....

PREVENTION: People who decide to take control of their health have a moment when they realize they’re ready to make a change. What was yours?NANCY TAYLOR: I remember the moment clearly. I’d been looking for someone, anyone to care about me in a way I couldn’t yet care about myself. During the course of a conversation with a trusted confidant, this gentleman said to me, “You don’t have any more time, and I don’t want to see you suffer anymore....

Strawberries and watermelon are at their peak right now—so why not combine them into one gorgeously pink smoothie? MORE: Dessert in a Blender: The Kale Smoothie That Doesn’t Taste Like Salad Fresh basil adds a kick of subtle spice, and unsweetened almond milk ensures each glass has just 8 grams of sugar. Drink up! Serves 2 Add 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup watermelon cubes, 1 Tbsp fresh basil, and 1 cup ice to a blender....

But it turns out, there’s a better way to fake a sunbathing session than a spray tan. What I’d long thought was just a myth—that certain fruits and veggies can actually change the color of your skin, giving you an orange-rose glow—is actually true. “Certain orange and red fruits and veggies that are rich in carotenoids—beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene—can give skin a natural glow,” says Jessica Levinson, RD, nutritionist at Nutritioulicious....

And while the core values of his dietary approach haven’t changed—eat healthy fats, lean protein, and lots of veggies—his new book, The South Beach Diet Gluten Solution, is all about the trouble with gluten, and how it can influence digestion, weight-gain, and other health problems for many people. “Gluten is ubiquitous,” says Dr. Agatston, who coined the term “gluten-aware” in the book to describe a way of eating that involves noticing how your body responds to wheat, rather than automatically ditching it....

Mollie Katzen is standing before a crowd of foodies, holding a plate of simply prepared green beans. Their vibrant color jumps off the plate, and the air is filled with the bold, spicy scent of fresh garlic. All the food lovers in attendance draw a little closer, hoping to catch a whiff and, if they’re lucky, a free sample. They know: If anyone can make a plate of veggies worthy of such desire, it’s Katzen....

Perhaps not surprisingly, home energy consumption hits its highest point in July and August, according to the EIA. While cranking the AC isn’t the only cause, it’s a major one: Americans use about 18% of their total household electricity for air conditioning. Luckily, there are things you can do to shrink your usage (and bill!) this summer, and they don’t involve sweating it out despite the sweltering temps. Here’s your game plan....

Sounds like we already gave away the answer, right? Wrong. According to a recent analysis from Consumer Reports, Xochitl’s chips contained GM corn, even though they claim to be GMO-free. Takis, on the other hand, were blissfully absent of GM corn. That’s not the only surprise Consumer Reports found when the publication sent products to an independent testing lab, which analyzed them for the presence and quantity of GM corn and soy—two of the most common GM crops....

There are lots of gluten-free whole grains that are great for breakfast: buckwheat, millet, quinoa, steel-cut oats. The list goes on, but we’re sold on amaranth. Why? It contains the amino acid lysine, which is missing from most whole grains. Like quinoa, amaranth is a complete protein, but unlike the popular grain, this one has a creamier, less dry-and-fluffy texture, making it perfect for a porridge like this one. Creamy Amaranth & Nectarine Porridge Serves 2 Amaranth 1 c amaranth 1 c unsweetened coconut milk beverage or almond milk 2 c water ¼ tsp sea salt Optional garnishes 2 tablespoons natural almond butter ¼ c unroasted sliced almonds 2 tablespoons greek yogurt (or 2% coconut yogurt) ½ c nectarines, thinly sliced 1 Tbsp local, grade A honey flaxseed meal...

Walking meditation Focus on your breathing; count your steps. Become aware of how your feet and legs move. Celebrate each movement as a miracle of silent communication between your brain and your body. Mindfulness Concentrate all your energy on whatever you’re doing now, even something as mundane as washing dishes. Consider each element of the activity as if you were moving in slow motion. If other thoughts interrupt, gently bring your mind back to your task....

Lack of kitchen know-how is often to blame, so Prevention recommends this glazed carrot recipe. It’s so easy, even your guy can make ’em. (And even if you do the cooking, it’s so delicious he’ll never notice it’s not pork rinds.) Easy Glazed Carrots Ingredients: 16 oz baby carrots, 2 Tbsp honey, 2 Tbsp trans-free margarine, 1 Tbsp lemon juice Directions: Mix ingredients, cover, and microwave on high 6 minutes; stir occasionally....

Hailed as an invaluable remedy for health woes as diverse as high blood pressure, a bad mood, and dry skin, it’s starting to seem like vitamin D can solve just about any problem. Except, that is, where some types of knee pain are concerned. Vitamin D supplementation does not reduce the symptoms or progression of knee osteoarthritis, according to a major new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association....

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, have demonstrated for the first time how a mysterious protein, osteocalcin, can impact bone strength. If a bone is lacking in osteocalcin, they conclude, it will be more likely to crack and fracture during a slip, trip, or a fall. The research “implicates, for the first time, the role of osteocalcin in giving bone the ability to resist fracture,” says lead study author Deepak Vashishth, PhD, head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer, in a statement....

“We recognize that farm animals play an important role in providing nutritious meat, dairy and eggs to our customers and members,” Walmart said in a press release. “We believe that farm animals in our supply chain should be treated humanely throughout their lives and that the welfare of farm animals should be considered in selection of all production systems, practices and technologies.” The five freedoms, established by the British Farm Animal Welfare Council, define ideal conditions for the livestock industry, and include: #1....