One of the most talked about health issues in 2006 was all things trans fat related. This year saw some big announcement regarding the war on trans fat.

• New York banned trans fat from all restaurant fryers, other cities to follow
• The FDA required all foods to list their trans fat content on labels
• Taco Bell is switching to trans fat free frying oil
• KFC will use trans fat free cooking
• McDonald's said in 2002 it would change to a low trans fat cooking oil
• Wendy's restaurants have switched to trans fat free cooking oil
  
• Kraft has reformulated most of its products to exclude trans fats
• Many popular soups and packaged foods are now trans fat free

Just 2.6 grams a day of trans fat raises your risk of heart disease. That's about half as much as you get in a typical serving of french fries. And the effects of trans fat on diabetes and obesity is a whole other story!

If the word “rush” defines your life, then maybe managing your time better is high on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Well, it should be. Take a moment now to brush up on the following time management techniques and leave that hectic lifestyle back in 2006.

Yes, it is all over…the Christmas gifts, the over-indulging on rich food, the extensive holiday drinking…well until that New Year’s party. Now you can focus on starting 2007 in a healthy direction. How you ask? By a complete overhaul of your diet.

Laughter really is the best medicine. A good bout of jolly laughter can benefit you and those around you in more ways than you even know. Since the holidays are a great time to laugh with family and friends, here’s some information on the therapeutic effects of laughter.

This festive season remember that there are many less fortunate people going without food, let alone presents. There are many families in need throughout the entire year, but Christmas is as good a time as any to focus on giving to those who need it most.

The 12 days of Christmas have turned into 25 days of eating. Now may be the hardest time of year to watch your weight, but you can take precautions. Don’t deprive yourself of all the yummy holiday treats; just remember you can control the amount and the types of foods you eat. Here’s some last minute health tips to keep you motivated over the holidays.

Aren’t we supposed to be “rockin” around the tree? Not if seasonal sneezing has you itchin’ and scratchin.’ Your favorite holiday decoration, the Christmas tree, may be the reason behind your allergies. Christmas trees can trigger itchy noses, scratchy eyes, and sneezing, say allergist Michael Alexander, MD, of Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Given up on New Year’s resolutions after last year’s ill-fated attempt at fitness? Not so fast! This time around you are going to do it right. Making your health a priority is a great resolution as long as you stick to it. Here are some easy steps to successful exercise in the New Year.

The sound of laughter may make you smile and laugh, British researchers report. According to the study in the Journal of Neuroscience, when people hear the sound of laughter, their brain areas that control smiling and laughing become active.

This festive season it is important not to cram too much on your plate. And we don’t mean turkey and stuffing. This time of year, many people try to do too much, try to please too many people, try to buy too much, and expect too much out of others. Keep your sanity! Here’s some holiday survival strategies from the experts:

You try to only have a few drinks at the neighbor’s annual Christmas potluck but before you know it you’re dancing the night away. And, oh, are you ever regretting it in the morning when the hangover hits! Next time, you can do some damage control before you spend another weekend at home nursing a headache. Here are some of the old-fashioned remedies you may have heard of that really work.

Here’s an interesting satirical summary on the evolution of food control. "We invented birth control; why not girth control?" writes William Saletan in Slate magazine.

"In fact, we're already working on it. Food abstinence, like sexual abstinence, was the original option. Then came the rhythm method: no snacking between meals. Randy teens fortify their resolve at True Love Waits; hungry adults do it at Weight Watchers. To relieve the hots, there's safe sex; to relieve the munchies, there's SlimFast. With foams and jellies, we can kill sperm in the reproductive tract; with lipase inhibitors, we can neutralize fat in the digestive tract. The pill blocks pregnancy by fooling your body into thinking it's pregnant; appetite suppressants curtail eating by making your body think it's full."

What’s the best way to lose weight at work? It’s simple: brown-bag your lunch. Home-made fare is almost always going to be healthier than the staff cafeteria or food fair.

A recent survey by careerbuilders.com found that 46 per cent of employees have gained weight since starting their current job, and more than 20 per cent have put on more than 10 pounds. The greatest obstacle in weight control can be buying lunch instead of bringing it. Those who brown-bag their lunch are better able to control portion sizes and consume fewer calories, say researchers.

The winter holidays are supposed to be a joyous occasion full of food, friends and family…not about diet. You deserve to have fun too! Cut calorie corners, adjust meals, watch portions, eat in moderation and you’ll stay on track. Here’s some food preparation techniques that will reduce calories, fat, and sodium so you can lighten up your favorite holiday meals and keep all the great taste:

If you’re lucky enough to have a day job and kids to take care of then you know the term “burnt out.” It can be overwhelming to go straight from one stressful environment to the next. No matter how tired you feel after work when you go home to face the kids, just 20 minutes of mild exercise before you get there will give you enough of an energy boost to deal with them, according to scientists at the University of Georgia.

Even during the holidays there are ways you can cut calories and still enjoy the festive fare you are used to. Modify your tastiest treats and your family won’t know the difference. Here are some healthy choices you can make to keep both the guests and your waistline happy:

The annual company Christmas event is just days away and you’re counting down the minutes until you can let loose. Just be sure you party responsibly…you do want to be allowed back to work on Monday, don’t you? Here's some Christmas party advice from the experts:

So you’re looking to cut morning calories out and maintain a nutrient-rich diet? Don’t throw out the cereal box! Whole grain breakfast options will solve this diet dilemma. You can have your cereal and eat it too.

But you’re feeling more jaded than jolly. Holiday shopping can be a daunting task even for shopping enthusiasts. Here are some tips you need to make shopping fun, safe, and affordable, instead of a dreaded chore.