boost

I'm all about matching bags, but this limited edition mobile device case collection by Claw Money and Boost is a sight for sore eyes if you ask me! And since when was it OK to label bags, especially a regular duffle bag, a device bag?! Is there proper padding in each one? I highly doubt it. If you look closely you'll notice three small cases to the left that are said to fit cell phones or your iPod, but I was so distracted by the other bags, I hardly noticed them! Separately, they may work, but as a set? They are a gadget girl's nightmare!

Most of what controls your metabolism is not under your control, some folks have fast metabolisms and others have slow ones. Also, as we age our metabolism slows down. Scientists have estimated that metabolism slows about 5 percent per decade, beginning at age 40 as we lose muscle mass and increase body fat. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so when you lose muscle mass your caloric needs decrease. Luckily you are not completely at the mercy of your genetics - There are a few things you can do to keep your metabolism up.

Basically, metabolism is the total of all body processes that burn calories - your basal metabolic rate (calories burned by simply being alive) plus your activity factor since we all know that exercise burns calories.

The basal metabolic rate includes the energy we need for body processes, including digestion. About 10 percent of our calories are used to process the food we eat. This phenomenon, known as the thermic effect of food, is influenced by how much, how often and what we eat. In addition, food can directly affect metabolism by altering the way the body functions, which changes the amount of energy it needs.

According to Joy Bauer, nutritionist and author of the book Food Cures, there are ways to maximize your metabolism. Curious to know what they are? Then read more

For some reason this week's news was full of truly bizarre "health" stories. The following stories really caught my eye, piqued my interest or made me squirm (the top headline especially).

Man Eats Live Frogs and Rats for Health - from AOL News

On Yahoo News there is a great article on a man suing Boost Energy Drink maker Novartis AG for long lasting, yet unwanted arousal caused by the energy drink. Seems it gave him an unrelenting boost where it wasn't wanted.

Vancouver doctors report rare finding of man whose blood was green - from Canada.com

If you thought you did some wacky things in your youth to get a tan read these: Tan tales that could make a dermatologist cry on MSNBC.com - they will inspire you to wear lots and lots of sunscreen.

I think this headline understates what is really going on, since death threats were involved: Obesity expert takes heat from Sparks fans - from MSNBC.com