The MIND diet

Not a lot surprising here, since a lot of the MIND diet overlaps with a vegetarian and reduced dairy diet anyway. But it's nice to see corroboration of the healthy effects of a Mediterranean style menu, too.

Take a nudge, you could lose weight!

Here's a fascinating article about how Google has applied some clever psychology to help employees avoid weight gain in their food rich environment.

Health News Review site

I stumbled across this independent Health News Review site that looks pretty interesting and helpful in sorting out breaking stories on medical treatments, miracle cures, and "what's believable and what needs full disclosure and more homework". Looks like a good resource site to keep on-hand.

Chocolate and Heavy Metal - Yeah I guess they don't mix

Chocolate's a favorite treat of mine. Unfortunately, As You Sow released a report this week showing most major manufacturers of dark chocolate bars and candies have elevated levels of cadmium and/or lead in their products. Bummer! So much for the anecdotal "good health" benefits of dark chocolate, huh?! Will I now drop it from my diet? Unlikely, but I'll probably think more about how much I'm consuming, where before I never used to.

A neat treat for travelers and in general

Came across these Gin Gin super strength candies at Degnan's Deli in Yosemite Village and was immediately taken with the 30% real ginger and simple ingredients. Yes, there's some sugar here as with many candies, but when on the move these are great little goodies to have in your pack or pocket!

Photo Credit: www.gingerpeople.com

Neat article on the lentils revolution

Saw this on Michael Pollan's Facebook page. Neat article on lentils and one UCB graduate's journey into chronicling family farming, renovation, and organic innovation.

Pay attention to your internal "Bunk!" alarm...

I had a feeling of "Bunk!" when I saw recent headlines about "Many cancers due to just bad luck!" Finally, a voice of reason - and why we should not believe everything in the media at face value. And while we're on the subject, a recent study indicates red wine doesn't necessarily extend lifespan, as widely reported earlier, either.

Progress evident since 1990

This is good news and shows a hopeful trend over the past two decades.

Beat Cancer!

What the world eats

Looks like the U.S. is in last place for consuming nutritious calories, tsk tsk! An informative infographic from National Geographic on what the regions of the world eat.

Choice Strengthening Exercises

Here's some strengthening exercises worth checking out. I learned some of the stretches from physical therapy sessions which, along with shoe inserts, helped my left knee issues recover quite well. If you're older or have a bad back, take care with the lifting and back exercises (you probably know which will work for you and which won't!) It's better to skip an exercise that may be problematic than to end up injured. There are so many exercises to pick from, just do something else instead :-) Also, start slow, avoid stretching too hard, too fast - patience and persistence pay off in the long run.

• Group 1
• Group 2
• Group 3

Credit: UCLA and Q by Equinox