CDC REPORTS ASTHMA CASES ON THE RISE; YOUR VEHICLE'S CABIN AIR FILTER CAN HELP

Brought to you by Purolator Filters  A study released recently by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of asthma cases in the U.S. is on the rise. Nearly ten percent of children and eight percent of the U.S. population at large are suffering from this potentially life-threatening disease. For those among us who confront this challenge on a daily basis, a clean and dust-free environment is imperative – whether it is in our homes, our offices … or even our cars.  While there are filters that purify the air inside homes and office buildings, many are surprised to learn that there are cabin air filters that are designed to keep the air inside our vehicles clean and fresh. With some two and a half million asthma sufferers, and millions more enduring allergy symptoms at this time of year, car owners and drivers should be aware that it’s very likely that their vehicle came factory-equipped with a filter that can remove allergens and [Read More]

published July 6, 2011 at 4:27pm CDT

[VIDEO] MEET PRO SURFER COCO HO

Nineteen year old Coco Ho and#40;@Coco_Hoand#41;  was born and raised at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. She  loves to play dance dance revolution. listen to Beyonce and hangout with her friends when she’s not competing professionally on the ASP Women’s World Tour. With an impressive family bloodline of proven champions, it comes as no surprise that this young Hawaiian has found success in the highest level of professional surfing and with three years of experience under her belt, Coco will be a threat at all events this year. We caught up with Coco this week at the G Series Fit launch party in Beverly Hills and fell in love with her smile, her giggle and her energy. [Read More]

published April 17, 2011 at 6:45pm CDT

SQUASH FOOD CUES AND LOSE WEIGHT

Losing weight and keeping it off for good has a lot more to do with your head then your stomach. Your brain sends out satiety cues and it also stops you from grabbing a second piece of cake when you are already stuffed. Paying attention to what the unemotional, rational part of your brain is telling you will help you win the war on weight and kick diets to the curb for good. How can you start this process of mindful eating? First, become very aware of food cues that can cause you to eat andamp; drink more than you physically need to consume. Some of these include: Number of people at your table – as the # of people you dine with increases, so does your calorie intake. Now, I’m not suggesting you dine alone but, just be more aware of this in social settings so you don’t overeat. If you are a female, throw a hot man in the mix since women tend to eat less in the company of men. Or, better yet, throw several hot men in the mix. Your girl friends and your waistline will thank you for [Read More]

published January 13, 2011 at 10:45pm CST

2011 EMPIRE STATE BUILDING RUN-UP

The 34th annual NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up is set to take place on Tuesday, 1 February 2011. Who knew there was such a thing as a tower climbing competition? Apparently quite a few people. The most famous stair race and, according to the organizers, the oldest of its kind, the Empire State Building Run Up will test the limits of some 315 competitors from 19 states and 17 countries. The race is up 86 flights—1,576 steps—to the outdoor observation deck of the landmark Art Deco skyscraper and the tallest building in New York City. If the thought of a broken escalator or elevator fills you with dread, then stay away from this competition. Only the fit and fearless need apply. In 2010, Thomas Dold of Germany crossed the finish line in 10 minutes, 16 seconds. Three-time winner Suzy Walsham of Sydney, Australia, finished in 13:27 in 2009 and Melissa Moon won last year with a time of 13:13. Dold, who graduated in 2009 from his college in Stuttgart, Germany, is a standout in th [Read More]

published January 9, 2011 at 1:44pm CST

WHY OBAMA CAN’T MAKE KIDS HEALTHY (A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE NUTRITION BILL)

Pens don’t make change, actions do. A few days ago, President Obama signed a nutrition bill. Also known as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010. People ooh andamp; awed. Yay! We have ANOTHER bill. This will make the obesity crisis diminish. And we won’t have starving kids. Wait a minute. Hold the Gingerbread Latte! Are we supposed to think that because a bill is signed everything is now going to be okay? It took years of poor choices, not moving and#40;as in getting activeand#41;, replacing farms with white picket fences and ugly supermarkets, and eating food from cans, packages and crappy drive thru’s. So a piece of paper andamp; a pen andamp; a president will change all that, eh? I can hear the critics now “it will help” or “its a step in the right direction”. And a bunch of other stuff. Here is my point. Yes, I actually have one -or perhaps two I have been advocating a healthy lifestyle for years. Since I was a kid I have always been active. Smiling. Eating food from trees [Read More]

published December 17, 2010 at 9:15pm CST

SUPPORT THE BIRTH CONTROL MATTERS CAMPAIGN FOR CONTRACEPTION WITH NO CO-PAYS

Birth Control Matters is an effort to make birth control available with no copays so that all women can use the method that works best for them and to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. Affordable prescription birth control is an essential part of health care for millions of women. The average woman spends 30 years of her life trying to avoid getting pregnant. More than one-third of women voters in America have struggled with the cost of prescription birth control at some point in their lives, and, as a result, have used birth control inconsistently. No copays for birth control is the single most important step we can take to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. The new health care reform law represents the single biggest opportunity to advance women’s health in 45 years.  To make this opportunity a reality, the law must require health plans to provide prescription birth control to women with no copays, as part of the prevention provision.  This would be a h [Read More]

published December 17, 2010 at 7:49pm CST

EXERCISING LOVE

I had been a loyal patron of my local gym for a month when I decided it was far too mundane. Thirty minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 30 minutes of arm and ab work - the same order, for the same time period, six days a week. I wasn’t getting the results I wanted and I was miserable but I had made the promise to myself that I’d stick with exercising and I wasn’t going to break it. I complained to my dad, who had been my trainer, and asked if there was some sort of alternative. He told me I should look into taking different classes but they were all so expensive and they were only offered twice a week at a set time. I was in the middle of researching when I received a phone call from him, telling me that he’d found something for me - Jazzercise. Intrigued, I visited their website, watched the videos, and read all about the fitness program. The next thing I knew, I was looking up a studio near me, hopping into my car, and attending my first class. I wa [Read More]

published December 1, 2010 at 3:10pm CST

HOT TO (TURKEY) TROT

It’s that time of the year again when turkey lovers who love to run gather for an appetite-inducing morning of good-natured competition.  So, what exactly is a Turkey Trot? On Thanksgiving Day, or very near it, runners across the nation lace up their shoes for some version of the trot. And if you anticipate indulging in a huge Thanksgiving feast, you may want to participate in this fun footrace to burn off a few calories and eat guilt-free. So, before the big games, the second helpings, the parades and the pie why not get in a little exercise with a few thousand of your friends and neighbors. Better to pound the pavement before you pound the pumpkin pie. The oldest continually-held Turkey Trot race in the US is held in Buffalo, New York but similar races can be found all across the country. This year’s race in Buffalo will mark the 115th consecutive start. If you’re on the other coast, you can join  about 11,000 people for the beautiful Dana Point Turkey Trot. The [Read More]

published November 24, 2010 at 5:56pm CST

LESSONS CHICKS SHOULD UNLEARN

Our whole lives center around one thing - lessons. In our childhood, we learn how to grow into mature and able adults. In school, we learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. In our social lives, we learn how to function with other people in a civil and productive manner. Along the way, though, there are a lot of things we chicks learn that aren’t particularly building to our growth as women. In fact, they’re pretty detrimental. Here are a few lessons we shouldn’t be afraid to un-learn:  It’s Not Okay to PMS Really, chicks, we shouldn’t be upset on our periods? Come on. Whoever says that, normally someone with different equipment, obviously has no idea what it’s like to become a slave to your own body. All of those commercials aren’t exaggerating for sales’ sake; Mother Nature can be a pain. It takes a very strong, possibly imaginary, chick to smile and carry on pleasantly while her uterus threatens to fall out. Speaking of smiling, that reminds me of another lesso [Read More]

published October 31, 2010 at 5:53pm CDT

MADONNA TO OPEN CHAIN OF HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS

Do you want your arms as contoured and fit as Madonna’s? It will soon be possible. Yesterday, the pop icon announced she is  set to launch an international health club chain called “Hard Candy”. The  music star is famed for her toned figure and love of working out, so this venture seems to suit her well as she diversifies beyond the realm of popular music. Health and fitness is obviously of great importance to her, and she’s in incredible shape, considering she’s  52-years old. The Material Girl has teamed up with Mark Mastrov, chairman of New Evolution Ventures and#40;NEVand#41; and the founder of 24 Hour Fitness and manager Guy Oseary  to open the high-end fitness center. “Our goal is to create an environment inspired by Madonna’s vision and high standards of what the ideal gym would be,” said Mastrov. “Hard Candy Fitness will be a reflection of Madonna’s point of view and will reflect her input on every detail including music space, light and other design [Read More]

published October 26, 2010 at 2:42pm CDT