I’m so used to automated restrooms that sometimes I forget and hold my hands under my own bathroom faucet, waiting for the water to come on!  It slays me. Now we can all go hands-free  at home or the office with everything from automated soap dispensers, faucets and toilet flushers to trashcans and paper towel dispensers. Besides giving a [...]

I use my pedal exerciser at home while watching t.v. and it works great.  And we certainly sell plenty of pedlars and stationary bikes to elderly, recuperating and mobility-challenged customers, but who would think to use it while working at a desk?   MSN health writer Diane Mapes did!   Does it work? Read Teeny Bike Pedals Away ‘Sitting Disease’ Fears - msnbc.com.  Glamour Fitness Trend author Sarah Jio [...]

Happy Heart Month!  What a blessing that just a few simple changes in your lifestyle can improve your chances of living a longer, healthier life.  The beauty is, anyone can make these changes, the steps are not expensive and even modest improvements will make a big difference.   The American Heart Association (AMA) calls them “The Simple 7″.  Seven [...]

Looking for a quick fix for your headache?  Get in line.  It is no wonder headache cures and remedies are so sought after.  Headaches are rampant – some worse than others, caused by hundreds of reasons from bad posture to pollution to vitamin deficiencies.  The good news is, headaches can usually be eliminated without drugs. Instead of [...]

Medical supplies are desperately needed in Haiti.  Individuals, offices and medical facilities are being asked to donate medical supplies to their state and local churches and relief organizations for delivery to earthquake victims in Port au Prince and outlying areas.  Allegro is supporting this effort by offering discounted medical supplies and medical equipment to the public, nationwide.   People are [...]

If anyone has ever said you have a dirty mouth, they were right.  A normal, healthy mouth is host to millions of germs and more than 500 identified bacterial strains.  And even though you use toothpaste to clean your teeth, and water to rinse your toothbrush, studies have shown that toothbrushes still become contaminated with bacteria, blood, [...]

Congrats!  You made it through the holidays, but did your workout schedule?  If you’re like me, you’ve been lifting (your fork), running (the dishwasher), and jumping (for joy) but that’s the extent of it.  Now it’s time to focus on YOU and what you can do to improve your health and stay motivated in the year ahead. Start [...]

Stress can come on suddenly and not necessarily at the most convenient time.  In moments of palpable stress, when your head is about to explode and there’s not a hot tub or a massage therapist in sight, arm yourself with these simple relaxation techniques to help you turn a bad situation into one of amazing grace. Stop and [...]

Goodness knows it’s hard enough to keep your weight in check on any ’ol ho-hum day, let alone during the ho–ho–holidays.  Heck, I can gain a pound just looking at a slice of cheesecake.  Think about this, though.  If you put on  just 1 pound a year, what will you weigh when you’re 60, 70, 80 or 90?  Mind [...]

Cold weather, indoor activities, school kids, lack of exercise and the stresses of everyday life = increased susceptibility to colds and flu.  If I stay ahead of colds and flu I find that I only get sick when foreign germs are forced on me – like in an airplane or by my thoroughly wonderful, germy nephews.    When [...]