Health

Have you ever heard of the “clean plate club?” I’m willing to bet this guy has. It’s a story about the now five-time winner of the July 4th International Hot Dog Eating Contest held at Coney Island in New York and how he crammed 62 hot dogs down his throat in 10 minutes. Blarf.

When the summer sun is beating down, a popsicle or ice-cream bar can be really refreshing. But unfortunately, many of the ones available commercially may have undesirable ingredients: refined sugar, artificial flavours, excess fat. In Mexico, people can grab a paleta when they need to cool down, and it's a much healthier option. Freshly made, these frozen pops have simple, whole ingredients and fresh fruits. They also come in a variety of interesting flavours you aren't likely to find at your local convenience store.

A recent health post at the Los Angeles Times looked at brand new research about the causal role that diet pop may have in obesity. It’s very interesting stuff, because it reminds me of another phenomenon: How exercise can lead to weight gain.

Dear headphones, it’s over. It’s not me; it’s you. You are at times uncomfortably clingy (around my head) and on other occasions leave me hanging (when a wayward hand tugs you straight out of my ears revealing to the world that I warm up to Madonna’s 'La Isla Bonita'.) So that's it, I’m cutting the cord.

The folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul have a new book coming out and they’re looking for stories from women over 50. The subtitle explains it all “Say hello to a better body! Weight loss and fitness for women over 50.” And there is a lot of power to be had in telling your health and fitness story, so if you’ve always wanted to be published in a book, this could be your chance.