Vampires: I know what you are. And I won't have unprotected sex with you.

OK, Halloween checklist: No eye color-changing lenses, because they can infect your cornea. Check. No black licorice for days at a time, as it lowers potassium and can cause heart arrythmias. Check. Don't go overboard on the chocolate, which contains caffeine; do brush your teeth after eating gummy candy; and plan an extra half-hour on the elliptical for the rest of this week. Check, check and check.

By Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times / For the Booster Shots blog

October 31, 2011