Health

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Across society, we appear to be packing on the pounds. There are any number of things that have been saddled with the blame: bigger portions and more processed foods (thanks for nothing, Triple Double Oreos); more TV and a more sedentary lifestyle; more sugar and corn; etc.

Alex Hutchinson of the Globe and Mail recently posted a guest column on Weighty Matters. The blog's obesity doctor, Yoni Freedhoff, asked Hutchinson to answer the question "Can your treadmill really count calories?"

Here's a “Well, duh!” statement for you: if you don’t smoke, eat healthfully, exercise lots, and take it easy on the booze, you’ll live longer.

I'm leaving in two weeks for a three-month adventure. My plan is to visit the Surrealist Miro exhibit at the Tate Modern and then drink in pubs that serve savoury pies with friends in London.