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What's a good down sleeping bag for a side/stomach sleeper who rolls around and gets cold easily? My 15 degree bag just doesn't cut it when the temp drops below 40, even with a liner. Joey herst, Massachusetts

My good friend is going to a Thai Message course in Laos, and then on to Bali and perhaps Nepal. I looking to get her something that would be useful in a small pack. Any ideas? Nick Santa Monica, California

What heart-rate monitor has the best basic features and fit for a woman? Chris Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

I'm shopping for a snowshoe that will work on uphill ascents and long trail hikes, as well as on packed and soft snow. What snowshoe is best to get between the Crescent Moon Gold 13 and the MSR Lightning Ascent? I'm 5'6" and 125 pounds. Outdoor Girl New York, New York

My wife and I are expecting our first child this summer. We plan to hike and camp with the baby in the southwest. What are some gear concerns I need to think about? How young can we start and do I need to be concerned about altitude and little lungs? Brian Chinle, Arizona

I hike relatively rough terrain in deep snow and ice while carrying a 30-pound pack. I also periodically snowshoe. What boot can handle all these conditions and activities? Mirja Concord, Massachusetts

My daughter is anemic and refuses to take the iron pills her doctor gave her. Are there any iron rich foods that would help her? M. Kesto White Lake, Michigan

I take one multivitamin every morning after breakfast. Does it matter what time of day I take it? Craig Dunedin New Zealand

For cycling and running, does Siberian ginseng have any benefits for performance? If so, when is the best time to take it before a race? Andrew Guthrie Edmond, Oklahoma

Where is the most advanced blood analysis and nutrition program being offered? Dennis McGuire Stuart, Florida

I lost 40 pounds through running, biking, and counting calories. Now I want to maintain my weight but have not kicked the calorie-counting habit. I still record everything I eat. Do you have any advice for kicking the recording habit? Daryl Davis Osceola, Indiana

Is it more environmentally friendly to throw away used tissues or to flush them down the toilet? Nathan Vancouver, Washington

I a trail runner. Keeping in mind the weight and bulk, what should I carry with me if I running on a mix of urban roads and wilderness trails? Andrew Guthrie Edmond, Oklahoma

Do you know how early cultures preserved meat and fish by hanging thin strips on racks out in the sun and wind? Is this method effective? How do you know when food has had enough exposure time? Richard Budd Arlington, Massachusetts

I'm going on a yurt-to-yurt ski/snowshoe trip in the Porcupine Mountains of Northern Michigan in March. What do I need to take with me? Jeanne Bergstrom Rockford, Illinois

Are there beaches in Northern California that are virtually shark-free? I would love to learn to surf but do not want to run into a shark! Wannabe Surfer San Francisco, California

I'm a professional triathlete studying for an Environmental Science degree. I'm moving to erica and wish to get into the environmental industry and continue to pursue my other profession. Any idea how I can go about this? Matthew Sydney, Australia

I seem to remember reading in ���ϳԹ��� that research was being done to create thin, adhesive solar "panels" that could be affixed to windows. Any progress on that front? y Minnesota

How does a person living off the grid in a remote area dispose of trash? Raymond California

To obtain Wildland Fire Certification in March, I must be able to walk or run three miles wearing 45 pounds in less than 45 minutes. The test takes place over varied topography on pavement. Can you recommend a training strategy? Gail Hellertown, Pennsylvania

What's the best way to prepare for an adventure race? Eric Saint Joseph, Missouri

What's the best exercise equimpent for a dorm room that will help me lose weight? Foldable treadmill? Mary Helen Spooner West Sussex, England

What is the best synthetic insulation jacket to wear alone or under a shell? Is it better to go with a hooded insulated jacket or non-hooded version? My shell is Arc'Teryx Beta AR, and it has a hood. Jennifer Fort Collins, Colorado

A girlfriend and I are hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in April. We are staying at Phantom Ranch for the night, so we don't need to carry our sleeping bags. We need a recommendation on a day pack. We are both petite, under 5'3" and want some sort of hydration system integrated. What do you recommend? Sass Chicago, Illinois

What's the best approach shoe for a woman? I'm considering climbing the Grand Teton. Chickie Mason Lakehills, Texas

I looking for a watch with an altimeter on it. But so far they all look like men's watches, big and masculine. Can you recommend a smaller, feminine watch? Lois DeRaadt Fort Collins, Colorado

I'm looking for an easy, 20-minute core workout. Any suggestions? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best way to increase my vertical? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

If I'm out hiking in the woods with no matches, what's the best way to start a fire? Glenn Edelschein Maryland

If I fall through the ice into a lake, what should I do? And what should I do after I get out? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What would be the smartest thing to do if you are lost in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota? Ryan Lucas Overland Park, Kansas

I banged my knee falling off my bike and now it's sore just below the kneecap. How long should I lay off it, and do you have any recovery suggestions? Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I want to be quicker on the basketball court and soccer field. What exercises should I do to build explosive power and speed? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Are significant nutrients lost when vegetables are cooked in a soup? Dan London, England

I have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Is there anything I can do diet-wise to help reduce the size of my prostate, or to keep it from getting larger? Frank Moline, Illinois

I love your nutrition suggestions, but recently I bece a vegetarian and most of your meals include meat. Can you help me out? Dan Johnson Seattle, Washington

My kids are starting to enjoy NASCAR and so, as a result, I getting into it too. Could high performance stock cars run on alternative fuels like vegetable oil? R.K. Arlington, Virginia

How do you avoid paying a tax evasion penalty? That is, you're not paying a road use tax because you're making your own diesel fuel. Sam Alabama

I'm looking into installing solar panels on my house and I'm not sure where to start. Where do I find solar panels and how are they integrated into most household electrical systems? Matt Detroit, Michigan

What is the best way to go green and save money this winter? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

If I'm still sore from a workout two days later, is it ok to work that muscle group again, or should I wait until the soreness has subsided? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I keep reading about the benefits of periodized training. But it seems awfully time consuming. As a recreational athlete, would I get enough benefit to make it worthwhile? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

For the past five years I've been unable to crack a five-minute mile. I run up to 30 miles a week, but don't have a regular workout besides running. Are there strength workouts I can do to improve my speed? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm training to run my first half-marathon. How much strength training should I be doing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is there a DEET-alternative I can really trust when I go hiking in the Costa Rican jungle? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Why do you drive a grease-powered car, and should I do it too? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Okay, so 90 percent of the world's large fish are gone, says Sylvia Earle. Do I need to stop eating sushi? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's really happening when I offset my travel at a website or with an airline? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What one equipment change can I make in my home to reduce my water usage most? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is a women's bike fre always the best fit? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm going surfing in Hawaii. Can you recommend a bikini that will stay on? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm going sea kayaking in the Bahas. What sunglasses would you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's the best stinkfighter: merino, bboo, or synthetic fiber? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's the best designer bag for an outdoor girl? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I’m planning to run a marathon. What shoe should I get for training? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's the best sports bra for running? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best pair of yoga pants? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Can you recommend a warm, but cute ski jacket for my next trip to Aspen? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is there a nutritional advantage to eating local and in-season? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What survival gear should I pack in my car? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Why do I keep hearing now that soy is bad for me? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What are the best guides to edible plants? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What are the 10 things I should always have in my pack? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What's the most reliable tool for starting fires? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

Is a multivitin a day enough, or are there other supplements I should be taking? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I know muscle burns more calories than fat, but is it really enough to make a difference? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

What produce needs to be washed, and how? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico

I'm in my 20's, ride to work three times a week, and put in a couple hours in the saddle most weekends. Should guys my age be concerned about the long-term negative impact downstairs? Or are the special seats marketed to protect the nether regions a ploy? Scott Freeland Washington D.C.

I'm looking for a backpack for commuting (note: I'm not interested in panniers). The ideal pack would have a ventilated back and expandable volume—some days it's just for work clothes, but some days I'll throw in a book or my computer. Internal pockets would be good, and water resistance is a plus. Designer Dan The District of Columbia

When is the most effective time after weight training to take protein? Steven Washington, DC

When is the most effective time after weight training to take protein? Alexander Waterloo, Ontario

I will be hiking for four days - gaining altitude each day to a total of 16,000 feet. What is the best way to train for this given that I have no access to altitudes of any kind for training? Jackie R. Aurora, Ontario

What is the best way to loosen up your hstrings? And how can I improve their flexibility long term? J Vansy Myrtle Beach, SC

What's the most efficient way to lower my resting heart rate? Stan Chesterfield, MO

What is the best way to train for hills if you do not live in an area where there are hills? Thank you. Martin Indianapolis, Indiana

Hiking or backpacking large descents just kill my quads. I did a Grand Canyon backpack last week and the 5000-foot decent just about killed me. Quads felt weak and I didn't feel like I had good control of my legs while descending. I did much better on the climb out several days later. What is the best exercise I can do in the gym to improve my eccentric efficiency and strength of my quads? Thanks! Bill Littleton, CO

If you spin at little or no resistance at high speed, do you gain the same benefits as you would spinning with resistance at a lower speed? Are you burning the se ount of calories? Stephanie

I have poor lung capacity and want to ride the 100-mile El Tour de Tucson. I lose major speed on even the slightest incline or hill and lose my breath. I've had asthma for 18 years. How can I develop better lung capacity ? Brynne Winfield, IL

I've heard that most vegetables and some fruits have "negative calorie content" because the body burns more calories digesting them than they have in their nutritional value. True or bull? If true, which foods have this property? Jenni Belmont, CA

Can beer be considered a valuable source of carbs for post- training refueling? Marc Montreal, Quebec