It’s exam time at colleges and schools everywhere … my daughter (high school) and son (college) are both gearing up. I just sent them these tips, culled from Jana Klauer, MD, who will be speaking at Marymount Manhattan College this week on how to use smart nutrition to improve academic performance. (I’ve been telling my kids these same things for years!)

So, students, to improve your mental acuity and overall health during this stressful time of year — and maybe even improve your test-taking skills — here’s a good plan: more

A Duke University study published in Feb just caught my eye: Researchers found that when one spouse makes a healthy change, it strongly influences a positive change in his or her partner. They specifically looked at changes in smoking, drinking, exercising, cholesterol screening, and obtaining a flu shot, and “consistently [found] that when one spouse improves his or her behavior, the other spouse is likely to do so as well. This is found across all the behaviors analyzed, and persists despite controlling for many other factors.” Interesting! So what about my recent determination to take up running three times a week? Well, just yesterday my husband got out on the tennis court after a long hiatus …

According to an Organic Consumers Association update:

“The deadline on the 2007–Now 2008–Farm Bill has been a moving target, but the conference committee is currently set to conclude its work soon. We need as many e-mails as soon as possible to urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that increases funding for organic, transition to organic, and nutrition programs, rather than simply more subsidies for corporate welfare and biofuels.”

Take action.

It’s no surprise that prices for organic groceries have risen recently along with their conventional counterparts. An article in the New York Times today points to the rising fuel and grain prices behind some of the added costs. more

That’s right today is Earth Day — the day when we celebrate the Earth and contemplate all the ways we can help our planet. So how can we do more this April 22? Accept our Earth Day challenge! more

I often get a hankering for fruit, but I seldom carry it with me because I feel bad about bruised and mangled fruit. Thus the beauty of dried fruit … except that usually the emphasis seems to be on DRIED. But salvation arrived in a sample package sent to my office: Mango Vivo, a dried-fruit company that makes absolutely delectable dried mango, pineapple, papaya, and bananas. No added sweeteners or preservatives; nothing but the fruit (except a little natural citric acid on the bananas to keep them from turning completely brown). They grow the fruit in Costa Rica and Brazil, offering workers a living wage, social benefits package, even housing when needed. And their processes are eco-friendly, most often with a zero carbon footprint. But as with all food products, it’s the taste and texture that hooked me. more

Yesterday, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group published a report, apparently the first of its kind, showing that companion pets harbor alarming amounts of toxic chemicals in their systems — the same kinds of chemicals found in humans, but at higher levels, including stain- and grease-guards, fire retardants, mercury, and more. Given that there are eight times more dogs and cats in the U.S. than there are children under 5, that’s gotta concern a lot of people. more

Bet you didn’t know that April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Us either. Prevent Blindness America designated the month as a way to raise awareness of all things having to do with eye health. The FDA has picked up the message and has posted a refresher page of tips on how to keep your eye makeup safe. Also check out “About Face” for info on natural options.

As a former resident of New Zealand, I am always on the lookout for all things Kiwi. Last night at a party, I randomly met the founder of new, yummy body care company NZP Naturals. I’m slathering on their lanolin-based lip balm now. If you don’t know about lanolin, you should. more

The May issue of the UC Berkely Wellness Letter has some terrific tips for how to transform your summer walks into real workouts. Here are 11 top ways to get more out of daily walks:

1. If you want to go faster, instead of taking longer steps, take faster steps.

2. Swing your arms. This can burn 5 percent to 10 percent more calories.

3. Choose varried terrains. Walking on grass or gravel burns more calories. more