We've got a new partnership with Padma Lakshmi! The host of the Emmy-winning Top Chef, writer, and designer started Padma Lakshmi, a social-networking site that celebrates our favorite topics including food adventures, recipes, and party planning. She'll be dishing up goodies for us here on YumSugar monthly. Today Padma makes a compelling point for why all of us should keep za'atar powder in our Read more

We're pretty familiar with how to prevent catching a regular cold or the flu, but the swine flu seems like a whole new ball of wax (or phlegm, in this case). Since swine flu seems to be spreading quickly, you want to do whatever you can to keep from catching the H1N1 virus. Here are some precautions you can take. Wash your hands often with soap and hot water (don't just rinse with water). Read more

From my corner of the world, it feels like the flu season is striking early this year. The swine flu never really went away and other viruses are lurking out there too. When you start feeling symptomatic, you want to know what you dealing with: a common cold, the flu, or the swine flu. To help read your symptoms, I have made a chart comparing these three common illnesses. Check it out when Read more

All Summer long, swine flu has made it into the headlines on a weekly, if not a daily, basis. This flu was quickly declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, not because of the number of deaths due to this strain of the virus, but because it spread worldwide with speed. A blogger over at Newsweek wants to add a little perspective to the media coverage of H1N1. Here is some history: In Read more

The benefits of exercise seem to be neverending — among other things, it helps the brain function better, reduces stress, and is important for healthy heart function. But, if you need another reason to get out there and start moving, exercise may also protect against swine flu. I've read that exercise helps boost the body's immune system and that doing some light cardio is good during a cold, Read more

With schools across the nation back in session, from universities to the elementary grades, swine flu cases are on the rise. This H1N1 virus spreads more quickly among children, teens, and young adults, but reported cases have been mild. However, this uptick in cases indicates that flu season is coming early, and back-to-school season also means travel season for the business class. If you're Read more

An expansive restaurant empire, a talk show, and a children's foundation aren't enough to keep Mario Batali busy; the chef also released his ninth cookbook, Molto Batali: Simple Family Meals From My Home to Yours, in the past week. Yet surprisingly, when we caught up with him, what we discovered was an underlying theme to his life philosophy: that of simplicity. Whether it's the return of the Read more

Check out our latest BellaTV episode and some of our favorite stories from the week: Iconic, easy Princess Leia buns you can make no matter your hair length. 25 brilliant but simple Halloween costume ideas. Be Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games this All Hallows' Eve. 10 easy hair ideas right off the runway. A fine swine: excellent beauty Read more