Who Is the Sexiest Celebrity Vegetarian?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Even if you're a meat eater, you can probably appreciate PETA's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest. Voting is now open for this year's awards, which honor one male and one female celeb for their sexy meat avoidance. Past winners include Kristen Bell, Prince, Tobey Maguire, and Carrie Underwood.

This year's list of nominees includes about 100 men and 100 women who practice vegetarianism. It was actually really fun to scroll through the names to see which celebs are vegetarians. I knew about a lot of them, like Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone, but others were very surprising. To a see a list of celebs you might not know are vegetarian, read more.

Alec Baldwin
Petra Nemcova
Jared Leto
Naomi Watts
Casey Affleck
Vanessa A. Williams
John C. Reilly
Jennie Garth
Michael Bolton
Elizabeth Berkley

Did you know all those people were vegetarians? Who do you think should win Sexiest Celebrity Vegetarian?

Prince Charles vs. McDonald's: Should McD's Be Banned?

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Recent statements made by Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, on banning McDonald's has gotten the company who coined the term happy meal, well, unhappy. McDonald's claims that the future king must not have noticed all the efforts they are making toward building a healthier menu and supporting sustainable agriculture. (I can't say I've noticed the latter either, but still).

Prince Charles was speaking from the heart as he has always been an advocate of organic food -- He even published a cookbook that rebelled against what he called, in his warm Prince Charles manner, the "soulless, mass-produced food that had come to dominate the modern diet."

Tough call on this one. I mean McDonald's has added carrot sticks to their menu, but Chuck is the Prince of Wales...

Whose side are you on -- Should McDonald's be banned?

Skin cancer

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:35:04 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Skin cancer is generally a result of too much exposure to the sun. While skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, many types are both preventable and treatable. Skin cancer is classified into five different types:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form and accounts for 90% of all skin cancers. It originates in the basal cells, at the bottom of the epidermis (outer skin layer), and is caused by long-term exposure to sunlight.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type. It originates in the epidermis, eventually penetrating the underlying tissue if not treated. In a small percentage of cases, this cancer spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.
Malignant melanoma (MM) is a form of skin cancer that currently is affecting an more and more people. Each year, more than 53,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. MM is a very serious type of skin cancer, but the cure rate is quite good if it is diagnosed and removed early. Melanoma originates in moles or other growths on normal skin.
Paget's disease (PD) is a rare type of skin cancer. It generally appears on the nipple, and is associated with an underlying breast cancer. It may also appear in the groin or near the anus, possibly originating in the sweat glands.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is caused by a virus in the herpes family. An aggressive AIDS-related form affects about one third of AIDS patients. A more slow growing form occurs in elderly men of Italian or Jewish ancestry.

Signs and Symptoms

Skin cancer is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:

A new skin lesion or open sores that bleed, ooze, or crust, and fail to heal in an expected time frame
Enlargement of an existing skin lesion
Change in color, size, shape or texture of a mole
A new mole
Reddish patch or irritated area, frequently occurring on the chest, shoulders, arms, or legs
Shiny bump that is pearly or translucent
Poorly defined borders of a skin lesion

What Causes It?

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer. A virus causes Kaposi's sarcoma, while Paget's disease is related to underlying breast cancer.

Who's Most At Risk?

People at risk for developing skin cancer may have the following conditions or characteristics:

Light skin color
Spend a lot of time outdoors in work or leisure activities
History of severe sunburn
Family history of skin cancer
Large dark-colored birthmark known as congenital melanocytic nevus
Certain non-cancerous skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis, which can predispose a person to skin cancer
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) -- a risk for Kaposi's sarcoma specifically

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will examine your skin for new, changed, or unusual moles. This may involve the use of a dermatoscope, which is used for close examination of skin growths. Your health care provider will take a biopsy of any growths that appear cancerous. This involves removing a small piece of skin for microscopic examination. A biopsy can confirm whether or not you have skin cancer.

Treatment Options

Prevention

Skin cancer is a preventable disease. If you are at high risk, avoid sun exposure. When you have to be in the sun, protect yourself by covering up, wearing a hat, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. You should also have regular skin cancer screenings with your primary health care provider or a skin specialist (dermatologist).

Treatment Plan

The primary goals of treatment are to remove the cancerous growth and stop the spread of the disease.

Drug Therapies

Melanoma that is deep or has spread and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma may be treated with chemotherapy.

Surgical and Other Procedures

Most skin cancer can be surgically removed.
When surgery is not possible, cryotherapy (freezing), topical chemotherapy, or radiation may be used. If the cancer is on or close to the skin's surface, photodynamic therapy (laser) may be used.
Paget's disease of the nipple usually requires mastectomy (removal of breast tissue).

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Alternative treatments are focused on preventing rather than treating skin cancer. In addition, some CAM treatments may reduce the side effects of conventional treatments. Finally, while many CAM treatments have not yet undergone rigorous scientific research, evidence suggests that some treatments may be useful when applied along with conventional treatments for skin conditions, including skin cancer. You should never rely on alternative therapies alone for treating skin cancer.

Nutrition

Eating certain foods or following therapeutic diets may help prevent skin cancer. It is hard to test the role of nutrients in protecting against various forms of skin cancer, but several studies have investigated the role of antioxidants (including vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and vitamin A), folic acid, fats and proteins, and a variety of whole foods. While results are not absolutely clear, there may be some protective effect from antioxidants. There may also be a protective effect from foods such as fish, beans, carrots, chard, pumpkin, cabbage, broccoli, and vegetables containing beta-carotene and vitamin C. Studies on animals suggest that lignans, substances found in foods such as soy and flaxseed, may also help fight cancer in general, including the spread of melanoma from one part of the body to another.

Other substances found in plants may help protect the skin from sun-related damage. These include

Apigenin, a flavanoid in vegetables and fruits, including broccoli, celery, onions, tomatoes, apples, cherries and grapes, and in tea and wine
Curcumin, in the spice turmeric
Resveratrol, in grape skins, red wine, and peanuts
Quercetin, a flavanoid in apples and onions

Selenium has been touted as an antioxidant that might help prevent skin cancer. One study, however, suggests that selenium might actually increase the risk of developing squamous cell cancer.

Therapeutic diets may also help with skin cancer. An example the Gerson diet, which is customized for each patient. This diet may enhance treatment of melanoma. It strives for a low-fat, low-salt diet, hourly feedings of highly concentrated raw fruit and vegetable juice nutrients, and strategies to speed up metabolism (the breakdown and use of food), such as exercise, taking supplements, and restricting calories. Castor oil, administered every other day for several weeks, and coffee enemas given as frequently as every 4 hours over a 24-hour period, are thought to alleviate pain and improve nutritional status.

Herbs

Naturopathic doctors and botanists recommend a number of herbs and herbal combinations to prevent and treat cancer in general. To identify appropriate herbs to use in your treatment for skin cancer, see a trained herbalist, who will consider your condition and may prescribe herbs to support your care.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains polyphenols, compounds that are potent antioxidants. Antioxidants eliminate free radicals, harmful by-products of cells' metabolism that are thought to play a role in cancer. The main polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientific studies suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols may prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.

Other herbs with antioxidant and skin-protecting effects include bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata ).

For Kaposi's sarcoma, some naturopaths recommend a paste made from lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) cream, several drops of Hoxsey-like formula (a mixture of herbs and potassium iodide thought to be effective against cancer), and powdered turmeric applied to lesions twice a day.

An animal study conducted in China investigated the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on natural killer cells. These are white blood cells that attack cancer and other harmful substances in the body. The study found that Cordyceps sinensis was effective against malignant melanoma by promoting natural killer activity and inhibiting tumor formation.

You should remember that certain herbs and nutrients can alter the way medications, including chemotherapy, act in your body. Make sure you keep your conventional and alternative health care providers informed about all the supplements, therapies, and medications you are using.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is widely used among patients with melanoma, and warrants scientific investigation. An experienced homeopath considers your individual case and recommends treatments that address both your underlying condition andany symptoms you may be having.

Acupuncture

While acupuncture is not used as a treatment for cancer itself, evidence suggests it can be a valuable therapy for cancer-related symptoms (particularly nausea and vomiting that often accompanies chemotherapy treatment). Some studies have indicated that acupuncture may help reduce pain and shortness of breath.

Acupressure (pressing on rather than needling acupuncture points) has also proved useful in controlling breathlessness. Acupressure is technique that patients can learn and use to treat themselves.

Some acupuncturists prefer to work with a patient only after they have completed conventional medical cancer therapy. Others will provide acupuncture or herbal therapy during active chemotherapy or radiation. Acupuncturists treat cancer patients based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In many cases of cancer-related symptoms, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen or kidney meridians.

Massage

Massage is generally not recommended for those who have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

Prognosis varies depending on the type of skin cancer:

Basal cell carcinoma: generally excellent.
Squamous cell carcinoma: excellent for small lesions removed early and completely.
Malignant melanoma: 5-year survival is almost 100 percent for very superficial lesions removed early. However, thick lesions and melanoma that has spread to other organs have poor prognosis.
Paget's disease: depends on the extent and cell type of the underlying breast cancer.
Kaposi's sarcoma: good for superficial lesions of the slow-growing form in the elderly of Italian or Jewish ancestry. The course of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma depends on the status of the person's immune system.

Following Up

See your provider regularly for screenings to check for a recurrence of skin cancer.

Supporting Research

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Review Date:
6/15/2006
Reviewed By:
Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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McDonald's Introduces The Bigger Burger

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Recently we heard that McDonald's and Prince Charles were at odds. The Prince thinks the restaurant should be banned, while McDonald's says the Prince obviously hasn't noticed all their efforts to add healthy fare to their menu. Perhaps during this little argument McD's forgot about their latest menu addition, which is anything but healthy...

The Bigger Burger (aka the Angus One Third Pounder) is the latest burger to be added to the apparently super healthy McDonald's menu. Currently the bigger high-end (it costs a little bit more - $3.99) Angus burger is being tested in 600 Southern California locations. There are three variations to The Bigger Burger, which reportedly range in 720 to 860 calories.

Maybe it's just me, but this "bigger burger" really does not help their healthy argument -- In thinking of a previous post: Do you think McDonald's should be banned? Take the poll.

P.L.O.W. – Day of the Dead

FitSugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

I don't know about where you live, but Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is big here in California. It has evolved from an ancient Aztec ritual for honoring the dead. Celebrated in different ways throughout Latin America with marigolds, skulls, and skeletons being prevalent symbols of the day.

I decided to join in the celebration by making a play list for the day! It starts you off slow to warm-up and has a cool down song for stretching at the end of your workout!

To see the list, just read more

"Wanted Dead or Alive" – Bon Jovi, 5:08
"Dead Flowers" – The Rolling Stones, 4:05
"Dead" – My Chemical Romance, 3:15
"I'm Not Dead" - P!nk, 3:46
"China Cat Sunflower" - Grateful Dead, 3:40
"Dead" – Pixies, 2:22
"You Spin Me Round" – Dead or Alive, 4:27
"I Would Die 4 U" – Prince, 2:56
"Cumbia de los Muertos – Ozomatli, 3:22
"Soul Meets Body" – Death Cab for Cutie, 3:50

Total P.L.O.W. = 36:51

Source

P.L.O.W. - Summer Songs

FitSugar — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Since we just celebrated the summer solstice, I thought we should honor it with a summertime playlist. Many of these songs are from the 60s or 70s, but they're tunes we know and love, and they're all about the summer. It's a great little mix for an afternoon jog or BBQ. Happy summer!

"Summertime" - Janis Joplin, 3:58
"Summer in the City" - Lovin' Spoonful, 2:40
"In the Summertime" - Mungo Jerry, 3:32
"Summertime Blues" - Eddie Cochran, 3:30
"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams, 3:36
"Summer Breeze" - Jason Mraz, 4:26
"Summertime, Summertime" - The Jamies, 1:58
"Summer Nights" - Grease, 3:36
"All Summer Long" - The Beach Boys, 2:07
"Summer Nights" Van Halen, 5:06
"School's Out" - Alice Cooper, 3:30
"The Boys of Summer" - Don Henley, 4:50
"The Summer Wind" - Madeleine Peyroux, 3:55
"Summertime" - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, 4:31

Total PLOW Time = 51:15

Do you have any songs to add about summer? Tell me about them below.

Source

iWalk -- Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Geek's buddy Popgadget just recently posted about the iWalk which is headphones that allow you to slip a first- or second-generation iPod nano into the iWalk's dedicated slot and go. One thing comes to mind, "Look ma, no hands!" Hold on to your gym shorts though. It's not available yet but when it is, it will retail for about $60.

Besides it looking kind of funny, the iWalk could be useful at the gym or while jogging at the park or when jamming to Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff on your boom box back in 1983...

Still, I am wondering what you guys think -- iWalk, cool or not?

FitSugar