Index

TORONTO – Second-hand smoke exposure has been linked to a host of health-related issues, but new research is pointing to another potential side-effect: hearing loss.

“We know that second-hand smoke is associated with ear infections and that’s been well-established for a while. And there’s also a lot of effect of second-hand smoke on other systems,” said study co-author Dr. Anil Lalwani, a professor of otolaryngology and pediatrics at New York University Langone Medical Center.

TORONTO – Men who are married or in a common-law relationship are known to enjoy a lot of health perks compared to single guys – and it seems that includes getting to hospital sooner for a suspected heart attack, researchers suggest.

A study of Ontario heart attack patients found that men with live-in spouses who were experiencing chest pain sought emergency medical care significantly faster than their single, divorced or widowed counterparts.

Everyone loves eating outdoors, but if you don’t keep food safe, the experience can end in illness. Here are some tips from the Canadian Food Safety Agency to use when picnicking and hiking:

– Hot food must be kept hot at or above 60 C (140 F), and cold food must be kept cold at or below 4 C (40 F).

Tina Powell loves picnics and includes recipes for several family favourites in her new book, “Picnic in Pisticci.”

“The No. 1 thing that I have to have in my picnic basket is breaded chicken wings and brownies for dessert,” she says.

TORONTO – Taking time out to enjoy the simpler things in life is so important to Tina Powell that the Vancouver resident has written a book about picnics.

“There is that special charm of having old-fashioned picnics and the world really does need more picnics and my mission is to create a renaissance of picnics,” Powell said in an interview.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Next summer, women can be comfortable, feel glamorous and look trend-right in pants as beach coverups.

Bold-coloured and printed pantsuits were one of the popular styles on the runway during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012, which ended Monday. Slouchy pants in bright pink and black, and even a Spandex, bohemian-print legging, also might be coming soon to a beach near you.

It may sound daunting: The U.S. government says most adults should get 2 1/2 hours a week of physical activity that revs their heart rates.

But if you can’t do that much, don’t give up – every little bit helps, especially as people age.

WASHINGTON – Baby boomers in the United States say their biggest health fear is cancer. Given their waistlines, heart disease and diabetes should be atop that list, too.

Boomers are more obese than other generations, a new poll finds, setting them up for unhealthy senior years.

OTTAWA – It’s a decidedly low-tech method responsible for saving countless lives across the country.

But as it marks 50 years in use in Canada, the MedicAlert system is beginning to have high-tech applications.

YELLOWKNIFE – It took a royal canoe ride by William and Kate on the emerald waters of Blachford Lake for the rest of the world to discover what Canadians already know about the Northwest Territories.

Whether it’s at the Blachford Lake Lodge or any of the other getaway spots north of 60, Mike Freeland says nothing beats sitting in a canoe at dusk, hearing the distant cries of loons and watching the shimmering lights of the aurora borealis as they arc through the sky and dance on the water.

VANCOUVER – Has driver courtesy been tossed out the car window? Is the traffic “thank you” wave dead?

Drivers polled for the Canadian Automobile Association seem to think so.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – A technical breakthrough in gene splicing by experts at the University of Northern B.C. may lead to better understanding of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and certain types of dwarfism.

UNBC chemistry professor Stephen Rader says it’s a puzzle researchers have been trying to piece together for about 30 years.

GENEVA – The World Health Organization says widely used blood tests to detect tuberculosis are “dangerous” to patients because they are unreliable.

The United Nations health agency said Sunday it will issue an unprecedented recommendation against using such tests for the infectious lung disease thought to affect 14 million people worldwide.

PARIS – Scientists in Australia are reporting encouraging early results from a simple eye test they hope will give a noninvasive way to detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although it has been tried on just a small number of people and more research is needed, the experimental test has a solid basis: Alzheimer’s is known to cause changes in the eyes, not just the brain. Other scientists in the United States also are working on an eye test for detecting the disease.

VANCOUVER – Fish nibbling was becoming a popular pedicure procedure at a Vancouver Island spa, at least until health officials found out.

Dixie Simpson, owner of Duncan, B.C.’s Purple Orchid Spa, said her business now faces ruin because the Vancouver Island Health Authority has ordered her to stop running her fish spa.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Once again, the Halston fashion brand has cleaned house, severing ties with Sarah Jessica Parker, who was creative director and president of the label’s contemporary line, as well as with runway collection designer Marios Schwab and investor Harvey Weinstein.

Parker’s departure was reported earlier this week by Women’s Wear Daily and Vogue. On Friday, WWD reported Schwab and Weinstein were out.

This burger represents the taste of the nation. Quality Canadian beef, smoked Canadian cheddar, back bacon and seasonings reminiscent of tourtiere.

Beef Sirloin Cheeseburger

Start the children’s active day with this fruit, yogurt and chocolate milk smoothie. The nutritious twist on classic banana split flavours is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face this summer.

Banana Split Smoothie

In a moment of vacation desperation, my son’s dream sandwich was born.

It was late. My son was hungry, tired and cranky. We’d just arrived at our rental apartment and there was virtually no food in the refrigerator.

Cookies as an snack? No trouble selling the kids on that one. Now to convince the adults …

Often laden in fat and empty calories, cookies don’t often impress parents. At least not as a go-to snack to fuel growing bodies and minds. But if you’re willing to bake your own, you can turn out some delicious and appealing cookies that will satisfy kids and adults alike.