Refrigerator Raid

Hospital Reviews

Want to know which local hospital offers the best care?  According to a recent AP News article, a new website will help you assess your nearby hospitals.

The website can be found at www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.  It includes information and assessments from real patients, including topics like cleanliness, doctors' attitudes, and responsiveness of staff.  Check it out to find out how your favorite hospital compares to others in the area.

Learning About Recalls

Worried that the food in your refrigerator may have been recalled?  You're not alone!  It seems as if more and more foods are being recalled because of possible contamination, especially beef and chicken products.  However, the recent recall of Aunt Jemima pancake mix--as reported by Fox News--is a reminder that even packaged foods may have safety issues.

To stay aware of current recalls related to food (as well as other consumer products, such as toys and medications), check out Recalls.gov, which has links to various government agencies and their recall information.

Bits From Bloggers

•    Diet Blog reviews a new strength training book for women. 

•    A Weight Lifted discusses the dangers of weight loss surgery as a fix for diabetes. 

•    Eating Fabulous shares some tips for easing into a vegan or vegetarian diet. 

•    Wellness Junction helps us make breakfast healthy. 

•    Aprovchar shows us the journey she took to healthier living. 

Health Tidbits

•    Botox could be deadly.  Link 

•    Get to the doc for your shots.  Link 

•    Exercise to live longer.  Link 

•    Meat and diet soda could increase your risk of heart disease.  Link 

•    Walk just an hour each week to reduce your odds of developing colon cancer.  Link 

•    Caffeine increases your risk of a miscarriage.  Link 

•    Ask your doctor to wash her hands.  Link 

Bits From Bloggers

•    Learn about weight loss around the world from Diet Blog 

•    Find out why A Weight Lifted thinks scales can be harmful to our diet. 

•    Check out these 4 tips for jump rope workout exercises at FitBuff. 

•    My Path To Fitness Blog offers some tips for cold-weather workouts. 

•    See how Go Workout Mom combines housecleaning and exercise. 

Health Tidbits

•    More good news about the Mediterranean diet.  Link 

•    A pedometer may help with weight loss.  Link 

•    A different cooking oil could help you drop some extra pounds.  Link 

•    Toddlers shouldn't be given cold medicine.  Link 

•    Working with money could make you sick.  Link 

Bits From Bloggers

(This is a new feature here at Refrigerator Raid.  Every once in a while, we plan to showcase some of our favorite posts from other health bloggers.)

•    Learn how much water to drink from FitSugar 

•    Diet Blog reports on the top 10 fitness trends for the upcoming year 

•    Check out Hungry Girl's top food finds from 2007

•    A Weight Lifted shared a delicious recipe for Tomato Basil Squares 

Health Tidbits

•    Get some sleep if you want to lose weight.  Link 

•    Angry people need more antioxidants.  Link 

•    Smoking may increase your risk of impotence.  Link 

•    Interrupted sleep may boost your chances of developing diabetes.  Link 

•    Organizing can reduce stress.  Link 

•    You can eat healthier this year.  Link 

Health Tidbits

•    TV boosts blood pressure.  Link 

•    Fat may affect fertility.  Link 

•    Get the right amount of sleep to live longer.  Link 

•    Red and processed meats raise your risk of cancer.  Link 

•    Is caffeine or a nap the better choice for sleepy drivers?  Link 

•    Kids will eat healthier if they have a salad bar.  Link 

Health Tidbits

•    Green tea may lower your risk of colon cancer.  Link 

•    WIC revised to be more nutritious.  Link 

•    Our kids are going to become fatter.  Link 

•    Got a cough?  Try some honey.  Link 

•    Plastic may increase your odds of developing breast cancer.  Link 

•    Moms can help babies learn to like veggies.  Link