B.Y.O. Sheets? Would You Take Linens with You on Vacation?

Because it's so cold and snowy in New York right now, I've had vacation on the brain. But while I'm dreaming of sun and surf, one writer at Shine is thinking about sheets. Hotel linens, to be precise. Do you trust that when you check in, your sheets will be clean?

I'm seriously allergic to everything--dust, pollen, animals, mold, you name it--and religiously wash my sheets in hot water every two weeks to keep from wheezing. But even I think packing your own sheets on a trip is a bit much. Who wants to do laundry when you get home, anyway?

Do hotel linens freak you out? Are you worried about germs when you check into a hotel?

5 Lies Women Tell Each Other About Their Health and Happiness

Let's just be honest for a sec. When it comes to our health and our happiness, I think sometimes we fib--would you agree? Maybe it's the white lie you told your friend, so she wouldn't feel bad, or the bold-faced lie you told your BF about your weight. I've compiled a list of the most common lies I've heard (alright, I'm guilty of some, too...). And tell me yours!

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1. "I weigh 125 pounds." (When you really weigh 140 pounds.) I've known so many people who cling to a favorite number--125, 135, 150--for dear life, even if their real weight is something entirely different. Why do we do this? Why can't we just be honest? (P.S. When I asked you about whether you lie about your size, some of you confessed that you lie about your weight pretty frequently.)

True Health Confessions: "I Eat Butter, Straight From the Fridge"

Recently I stumbled across a Web site devoted to strange "addictions." For instance, did you know that there are fan sites devoted to people who love the smell of gasoline or can't get enough salt? And then there are the folks that love butter.

A quick visit to the butter fan site "Butter Is What I Crave" reveals that there are people who'll take butter any way they can get it--slathered on top of cookies, drizzled over scrambled eggs, and, well, straight from the fridge.

There's nothing wrong with a little butter now and then (I mean, who doesn't like the stuff!?), but I found this site to be a sad reminder of how controlling food can be, and just how strong our cravings can get (they're as powerful as drug cravings, say researchers!).

Breakfast at Your Desk: Warm Barley With Dried Cherries (Oatmeal's Big Sis!)

Tired of oatmeal? How about some warm barley? Check out this tasty recipe ...

Oh my, doesn't that look good? It's made even more creamy and delicious with almond milk, which is lower in saturated fat than regular milk. This breakfast scores heart-health points, too, say the experts at Body + Soul Magazine, because it's low in saturated fat and high in Omega 3 fatty acids.

Ingredients:

1 quart unsweetened almond milk

1 1/4 cups quick-cooking barley

2 tablespoons ground flax meal

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 to 3 tablespoons turbinado or brown sugar, plus more for serving (optional)

Endocet

Endocet

Generic Name: acetaminophen and oxycodone (a SEET a MIN oh fen and OX i KOE done)

Brand Names: Endocet, Magnacet, Percocet, Primalev, Primlev, Roxicet, Tylox, Xolox

What is Endocet?

Endocet contains a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers.

Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.

Endocet is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Endocet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Endocet

Tell your doctor if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Invirase

Invirase

Generic Name: saquinavir (sa KWIN a veer)

Brand Names: Invirase

What is Invirase?

Invirase (saquinavir) is an antiviral medication. It is in a group of drugs called protease inhibitors. Saquinavir prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cells from multiplying in your body.

Invirase is used to treat HIV, which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Invirase is not a cure for HIV or AIDS.

Invirase may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Invirase

Invirase must be taken together with another medication called ritonavir (Norvir).

Emend

Emend

Generic Name: aprepitant (a PREP i tant)

Brand Names: Emend, Emend 2-Day, Emend 3-Day

What is Emend?

Emend (aprepitant) blocks the actions of chemicals in the body that trigger nausea and vomiting.

It is used together with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting that may be caused by surgery or cancer chemotherapy.

Emend is given ahead of time and will not treat nausea or vomiting that you already have.

Emend may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Emend

Do not take Emend if you are taking any of the following drugs: cisapride (Propulsid) or pimozide (Orap). These drugs may cause life-threatening interactions when taken together with Emend. If you have liver disease, you may need an Emend dose adjustment or special tests. Emend can make birth control pills less effective, resulting in pregnancy. This effect can last for up to 28 days after your last dose of this medication. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking Emend and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends.

Duetact

Duetact

Generic Name: glimepiride and pioglitazone (glye MEP ir ide and PYE oh GLI ta zone)

Brand Names: Duetact

What is Duetact?

Duetact contains a combination of glimepiride and pioglitazone, two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels.

Duetact is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. Duetact is sometimes given with other diabetes medications when greater blood sugar control is needed.

This medication is not for treating type 1 diabetes.

Duetact may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Duetact

Afinitor

Afinitor

Generic Name: everolimus (Afinitor) (E ver OH li mus (a FIN i tor))

Brand Names: Afinitor

What is Afinitor?

Afinitor (everolimus) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Afinitor is used to treat advanced kidney cancer. Afinitor is usually given after sorafenib (Nexavar) or sunitinib (Sutent) have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Afinitor is also used to treat a rare genetic disorder called subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.

This medication guide provides information about the Afinitor brand of everolimus. Zortress is another brand of everolimus used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

Elestat

Elestat

Generic Name: epinastine ophthalmic (EP i NAS teen off THAL mik)

Brand Names: Elestat

What is Elestat?

Elestat is an anti-allergic medication. It inhibits processes in the body that cause allergic symptoms after exposure to an allergen. It works by blocking the release of histamine, which reduces the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Elestat is used to prevent itching of the eyes associated with allergies.

Elestat may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Elestat?

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye. Do not wear contact lenses during treatment with Elestat if your eyes are red. If you wear soft contact lenses, and your eyes are not red, wait at least 10 minutes after using Elestat before inserting contact lenses.

Terazosin

Terazosin

Generic Name: terazosin (ter AY zo sin)

Brand Names: Hytrin

What is terazosin?

Terazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Terazosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Terazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), or to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Terazosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about terazosin

Striant

Striant

testosterone buccal system (tes TOSS ter one)

What is the most important information I should know about Striant?

Notify your doctor if you experience nausea; vomiting; swelling of the ankles; changes in skin color; too frequent or prolonged erections; breathing disturbances, including those associated with sleep; or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Notify your doctor if a female partner experiences male-pattern baldness, excessive body hair growth, an increase in acne, menstrual irregularities, or signs of masculinity.

What is Striant?

Testosterone is a naturally occurring "male" sex hormone necessary for many processes in the body.

Tindamax

Tindamax

Generic Name: tinidazole (tye NYE da zole)

Brand Names: Tindamax

What is Tindamax?

Tindamax (tinidazole) is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Tindamax is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as infection of the intestines or vagina. It is also used to treat certain sexually transmitted infections.

Tindamax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information I should know about Tindamax?

You should not use Tindamax if you are allergic to tinidazole or metronidazole (Flagyl), or if you are in the first 3 months of pregnancy. You should not breast-feed a baby while you are taking Tindamax. However, you may begin nursing again 3 days after you take the last dose. Do not keep any milk you collect with a breast pump while you are taking Tindamax.