Remember when health stores were only frequented by serious health nuts? That's now completely changed because we all take our wellbeing a lot more seriously, whether it's our daily multivitamin or two litres of water. Healthy Habits, a new shop in Clane, Co Kildare, promises to put you on the motorway to Wellville. It stocks a full range of health supplements, organic and specialised foods, healthy snacks, natural cosmetics and homeopathic oils and remedies. And if you can't find what you're looking for, they'll order it in for you. Proprietor Helena O'Loughlin is a qualified shiatsu practitioner and acupuncture, massage and reflexology is also available by appointment.

Healthy Habits, Unit 5, Village Centre, Clane, Co Kildare. Tel: (045) 902592.

Veg out

You may recognise Gregg Wallace as one of the presenters of BBC2's Masterchef programme but the other aspect to his career is that of veg supplier to some of London's top restaurants. His new book, Veg : The Greengrocer's Cookbook, is a useful exploration of what kind of veg is available, seasonality and how to store, prepare and cook them. The recipes, including starter, main and side dishes, are inspired by some of the restaurants he supplies. For anyone who's been seduced by celeriac and fennel in a farmers' market, only to arrive home and realise that they haven't a notion how to cook them, it's a must. For the rest of us who are trying to up the five-a-day veg intake, this book will prove inspirational.

Lean cuisine

Eating out when you're trying to watch your waistline isn't the greatest laugh. Where's the fun in ordering the steamed fish, green salad (hold the dressing) and sparkling water? Or balefully eyeing up your dinner companion's double chocolate fudge cake with cream?

Thankfully, Mao Cafe is one eating establishment which has realised that we don't necessarily want a blow-out when we eat out. They've clearly labelled what the low-fat options on their Asianfusion menu are and with options like steamed shitake and tofu gzoza and teriyaki salmon, you won't feel hard done by. They also have a special coeliac menu. The original restaurant is on Chatham Row in Dublin 2 but visit www. cafemao. com for locations of their other restaurants.

Here's to your health

Is it our imagination or are they coming with more reasons as to why we should drink wine, on a daily basis? The latest news is that red wine is good for your teeth . . . a scientist has found that it contains certain compounds that can help prevent tooth decay. But if you really want to make your glass of vino a healthy tipple, then go organic. When grapes are grown conventionally, up to 17 chemicals are used but the grapes used in organic wines are grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertiliser, and they're also free of sulphites which are added to ordinary wines to increase its shelf life. Enowine (Custom House Square, IFSC, Dublin, tel 01 636 0616 and 23 The Crescent, Monkstown, Co Dublin, tel 01 230 3500) has a lovely selection including a delicious Jean Becker Tokay Pinot Gris ( 17.99) while Vendemia Wines, which is based in Kilkenny, sells a variety of certified European organic wine. Check out its tasting pack ( 70 for six bottles at www. vendemiawines. com).

Body beautiful

We like potions that do exactly what they say on the tin, but more often than not a big brand name, swish packaging and a nice smell disguises a lot of empty promises. But YSL Profile Minceur Slimming Gel is not one of these products. It ticks all the right boxes in terms of divine smell and quasimedical name but it also works. It not only tackles the cellulite problem but its inhibitors prevent the fat cells from growing back.

Significantly, in clinical trials, testers lost 2cm (the equivalent of a jean size), while also eating sensibly.

It costs 44 and is on counters now.

Playing tag

It's the fastest growing recreational sport in the country, it can be played by all ages and all genders and converts to it say it's the best fun . . . welcome to the world of tag rugby. This non-contact, seven-a-side game is played on a grass pitch, and the goal is to try and score a try without being 'tagged' by a member of the opposition . . . a 'tag' happens when one of the two Velcro strips attached to special tag shorts is grabbed by an opposing player. It's a much healthier way of bonding with your work colleagues than down the pub, so if you can get a team together, there are still some places left in the Volvic 2006 Tag Rugby League for beginners. Check out www. tagrugby. ie for availability and to learn more about the sport.

Way to go

Not to get too Bridget Jones about it, writing down your daily food consumption (as well as recording your weight and what exercise you've partaken of) is an excellent way of staying on track. The website www. fitday. com is truly the dieter's best friend because here you can count calories, track weight loss or (ouch! ) gain, find out what your nutritional needs are and chart your progress over time. It's free to use and there are plenty of good guidelines on healthy eating. Best of all is the online journal (which can be made private or shared with the public) where you can record your ongoing struggle with the biscuit tin for posterity.

Ice ice baby

The craze for Masai Barefoot Technology footwear . . . better known as MBTs . . . shows no sign of abating. A million pairs of these runners, which have been seen on celebs such as Teri Hatcher and Heidi Klum, were sold last year.

The new MBT Ice has just been launched, and fits quite nicely with the spring/summer '06 fashion fixation with white. The footwear promises to tone legs and bums, improve posture and burn extra calories. They certainly feel different from your average trainer and when they come highly recommended by osteopaths, chiropractors and fitness experts, who are we to argue? Available from selected stores (check www. mbtireland. com for stockists) priced 207.