Carrying This Very Surprising Item Can Improve Your Workouts!

I have a list of things I must keep on my person when I work out--especially when I run. Do you? Keys, ID, baseball cap, phone (plus, you know, the obvious things like clothes and shoes). But according to research from the Stanford University School of Medicine, there might be another great item to tote along...

...a cold bottle. Keying off earlier studies, which found that athletes who wore cooling vests were less tired and performed better, the Stanford researchers recruited women who qualified as "obese" to walk on treadmills and perform other exercise, like lunges. Some of the women held special cooling devices in their hands. The women outfitted with the devices had better attendance rates for the exercise sessions--and had significantly better workouts, going faster and longer on the treadmills. They also noticed more improvements in blood pressure, heart rate and waist size than women without the devices.
To get the same effect, the researchers say, freeze a bottle of water and carry it with you while you exercise. Couldn't hurt, right? I'm thinking the bonus would be that the ice would melt enough by the end of your workout to give you a supercold drink--refreshing!

Could Getting Tipsy REALLY Make You More Creative?

There's a quote from Ernest Hemingway that I love: "Write drunk; edit sober." (I did not learn of this quote in any of my English or writing classes. I learned this from Pinterest. Can you believe it?) I'm not much of a drinking-while-writing type--pretty sure I'd end up using my keyboard as a pillow--but it looks like science is actually backing up Hemingway.

Hemingway's not alone, of course. There are plenty of artists who have called on the bottle (and other things) when they were writing, painting, composing, or drawing when they wanted some creative inspiration. Now, a new study in Consciousness and Cognition is showing that alcohol may actually help creative problem-solving. In other words: it really could get you thinking more creatively.
In the study, researchers gave half of the participants (all men) vodka and cranberry cocktails; the other half teetotaled it. Everyone watched Ratatouille (this is sounding like an awesome party!) and then had to answer a series of word-association problems. The drunk guys--who had blood alcohol contents of 0.075 (just under the legal limit)--solved the problems more quickly and correctly than the sober guys.
Plus, the vodka-swilling men solved the problems more intuitively, reporting that the answers just "came to them," instead of thinking them out in specific ways.
The researchers say that, because alcohol impairs "executive function," it may help free up parts of the mind to deal with problems in a more creative way. This opens up other questions, according to TIME's Healthland: "Perhaps creative people are more likely than others to be attracted to drugs in the first place, as a possible source of inspiration. And then, if reduced executive function is responsible in part for their initial talent, this, too, could make them more susceptible to addiction once they start using. Having less executive control before you even take drugs means you'll have less ability to stop once you start."
Naturally, the findings come with a word of caution: "We tested what happens when people are tipsy--not when people drank to extreme. There could be no argument from these findings that drinking excessively would have the same effects," said study co-author Jennifer Wiley.

January Jones Pops Pills Made From Her Own Placenta When She Needs Energy. Would You?

January Jones got people talking with a bit of news she dropped to People.com the other day...

... that when the "Mad Men" star needs some extra energy, she takes some pills made with her own dried placenta, at the suggestion of her doula.
Says Jones: "Your placenta gets dehydrated and made into vitamins. It's something I was very hesitant about, but we're the only mammals who don't ingest our own placentas." She also says, "It's not witch-crafty or anything. ... I suggest it to all moms."
The preparation, usage, and consumption of placentas after birth is time-honored--Sarah covered the practice a few months ago and the controversy surrounding it is as big as ever. From "it's all right" to "ewww," there are a lot of opinions about it.
But traditions aside... are there any real health benefits to eating placenta (dried, cooked, or other)? According to ABCNews: "Research has shown that the afterbirth is indeed a nutrient-packed pouch, and it has been touted as a way to prevent post-partum depression and promote a fast recovery after pregnancy. There is no hard evidence that humans benefit from consuming it, though."
Hm. I wouldn't (and didn't) take part in the placenta-eating practice, but I know it has significance for a lot of women. So--I kind of think it's a "to each her own" kind of thing.

Healthy Snack Recipe: Cauliflower Crisps

While I love cauliflower, I'll admit it's not the first vegetable I'll reach for in the produce aisle or on the crudite platter. So I'm always interested when a yummy-looking recipe features the healthy veggie--and this one was no exception.

I stumbled upon this recipe for cauliflower chips at Making Healthy Choices and knew I had to try it.
It involves: one head of cauliflower (preferably organic), 1/3 cup miso paste, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon curry powder, and a pinch of sea salt. You whisk all the ingredients together, then chop up the cauliflower to little bite-sized pieces and toss them into the mix. Then, you just lay the florets onto a cookie sheet and bake in the oven at its lowest setting.
Crunchy and healthful with a bit of a spice kick--and very yum!

The Best News You'll Hear All Day: Chocolate Lovers Weigh Less!

Love chocolate? Me too! Good news for us: Chocolate lovers tend to weigh less than those who don't go for the stuff. Here's the fabulous news...

Calling all chocolate lovers! You're going to love this news: A large new study from University of San Diego researchers found that people who eat chocolate a few times a week weigh less than those who don't treat themselves to chocolate.
What's going on? The researchers are stumped, actually. But one theory seems to be that people who indulge in chocolate regularly, in moderation, use it to reward themselves for other healthy choices, such as exercise and eating right. So maybe chocolate-lovers, in general, just make better health choices? Let's mull this one for a while...

How This Smart Employer Is Tricking Workers to Eat Healthier

Why would your boss care what you eat? Because it makes you healthier and happier, which, in turn, makes you a better employee, according to much past research. Check out the strategies this mega company is using to get its employees to eat more healthfully...

Google recently revamped its workplace food service in effort to help its employees get healthier. While their strategies may sound like outright trickery, we can all learn a thing or two from them:
*Trick yourself into eating more greens: At the salad bar, we're more likely to load up on things we see first, which is why Google has placed large bins of mixed greens at the front of the bar so employees load up on greens.
*Hide the soda: If you're thirsty, reach for water first--it's the healthiest beverage (duh), which is why Google is making it harder for employees to find soda (now stocked in the back and on the lower half of the company fridges, while water is front and center.
*We don't want to hunt for our candy: Google learned that, psychologically, people get a reward response when they see candy and can grab what they want quickly. Instead, Google is keeping candy (yep, still available for employees) tucked away in bins. Interestingly, this small change has led to a 9 percent reduction in candy-eating across employees.

Crazy-Good Workout or Just Plain Crazy: Lastics

This workout testing quest has sent me up, down, around, in, out and, well...in some other I-didn't-know-my-body-bent-this-way positions. I figured Lastics would be a great way to wind down from all of my running around, but to my surprise, it was quite the workout on its own.

The Workout: Lastics is a stretching technique that's designed to increase your flexibility and body awareness. Its creator, Donna Flagg, is a trained dancer, so many of the moments come out of dance positions.
I came in expecting a guided series of stretches, which I certainly got. However, stretching muscles to warm up and stretching muscles to strengthen, tone and lengthen them is entirely different. In a carefully put-together sequence, we set up in particular positions (think alignment in yoga), and did a lot of pulling of our muscles in opposite directions. Sounds easy, right?
Um, it wasn't for me. I'm fairly flexible, and figured the whole thing would be simple enough, but I was constantly being corrected on my position. Apparently, I have a lot to learn about the way my body aligns, what a flat back or a hyperextended arm really looks and feels like...and at times, my left from my right. Honestly, I couldn't believe how bad I was at it! I'm not the kind of person who gets very self-conscious about screwing up in a fitness class, but everyone else (they'd all taken the class before!) looked so graceful and fluid that I couldn't understand why I was struggling so much.
That said, working extra-hard was a nice workout. I was a bit embarrassed that I seemed cognitively incapable of processing what was being asked of me, but once I was corrected, each position felt amazing. That was one of the things I really liked about Lastics--you know your muscles are working, because you feel the tension. And you know you're not working hard enough if you're not feeling it.
With multiple classes (or views of their DVD!) I can definitely see what a huge improvement this could make to one's form, posture and overall awareness of her body. I bet it'd be a great pick if you're in recovery from an overexertion injury; what you'll learn is as important as what you'll feel.
Intensity factor: 5, physically. Mentally, like, 95! I sore in some seriously odd places the next morning.
So, crazy-good workout or just plain crazy? It's definitely not crazy, and if you have the commitment and want strength and toning without a high-impact, fast-paced workout, this is definitely worth a try.
Do you like stretching workouts? Would you try Lastics?

Afternoon Snack: Mini Caprese Bites

Oh how we love caprese salad around here, and these cute mini bites are no exception...

How cute are these little caprese bites? Perfect snack, or a perfect party app. You can find the easy how-to over on Framed Cooks, but don't forget to drizzle with balsamic and olive oil for optimum flavor!

The Curious Case of Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Missing Belly Button

ither Elisabeth Hasselbeck was born without a belly button, or she's fallen victim to some intense retouching in a new series of fitness TV ads...

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is the spokesperson for Proform Exercise equipment, and a recent article pointed out something unusual: In one TV spot, it appears that the star doesn't have a belly button! The, reason, according to reports, is heavy-handed retouching. In effort to make her belly look absolutely perfect, someone seemed to have airbrushed out her belly button entirely. Oops!
Here's what's sort of annoying about all of this, if it's true that Elisabeth was retouched (and, for the record, I'm not blaming her for any of this): a.) we're supposed to be thinking that the product she's selling got her abs looking that fab, when we may not be seeing a real portrayal of what her tummy looks like, and b.) it sends a message to other moms that perfect abdominals post-baby are the norm, and possibly easy to obtain (FYI: anyone who's had a baby, knows that this can be one of the biggest post-baby fitness challenges!)

Massage ... What? New Study Suggests Rubbing This Body Part Increases Health

The 1 most neglected body part? Experts say it needs a little love too! In fact, if you rub it with this, you may even be healthier...

The thing you're not doing for good health? Rubbing your gums--preferably, with a bit of toothpaste.
Huh?
A new Swedish study found that people who gave themselves daily gum massages using a bit of toothpaste (and clean fingers!) increased the fluoride absorption in their teeth/mouth by as much as 400 percent and reduced cavity formation. The key here, though, was leaving the toothpaste on your teeth (and not rinsing) after the gum-and-tooth rubdown.
Have you ever given yourself a gum massage? Would you try this?

Crushed Bugs in Your Strawberry Frappucino? Well, Yes.

You love it when food makers, like Starbucks, go the natural route, right? Well, in order to ditch artificial coloring, how far is too far? Using crushed red bugs for coloring?

A Starbucks barista recently blew the whistle on the coffee-maker's use of crushed bugs for food coloring by submitting a tip to This Dish Is Veg recently. She wrote:
"I'm a vegan who currently works as a barista at a Starbucks in the midwest, and I wanted to let you guys know that the Strawberries and Cream Frappucinos and Strawberry Smoothies at Starbucks are NOT vegan," she wrote. "The strawberry sauce we use contains 'cochineal extract.' My guess would be that the recipe changed about three or four weeks ago, when our strawberry sauce got new packaging. I was hoping you guys could help get the word out there so that no vegans end up drinking this formerly vegan frappucino by mistake! Thanks."
This Dish Is Veg explains just what "cochineal extract" is: "For those wondering, cochineal extract is a red dye made out of dried female cochineal insects. And to put things in perspective, according to PETA it may take as many as 70,000 cochineal to produce 1 pound of the red dye."
What do you think? Are you cool with a food coloring that comes from bugs?

Health Controversy: Do We Drink Too Much? England May Be Changing Alcohol Guidelines

It's hard to keep up with all the news about alcohol: It's good for you! It's bad for you! Wait, it's good for you! No, it causes cancer! With all the flip-flopping and conflicting advice, the head honchos of Britain's medical boards are convening to possibly change the recommended drinking guidelines for their population. This is all making us, across the Atlantic, wonder if we should too...

When it comes to alcohol, do the guidelines for how much is too much need tweaking? Officials in England are asking that question now, especially as it seems the current guidelines in their country--no more than three units of alcohol for women, and four for men--seem a little outdated. Experts in the UK worry that these recommendations could leave people at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and cancer. But, the jury is still out as new research on the health benefits and consequences of alcohol seem to be always updated.
Another interesting twist: Some in England are suggesting that people don't drink everyday, as a way to give the liver a rest, and this could be part of the new guidelines in discussion (currently, there is no suggestion for no-drinking days in the UK or US's alcohol guidelines).
How often do you drink? Do you think, as a culture, we drink too much?

Healthy Snack (or Lunch!) Recipe: Quinoa-Stuffed Burritos

I've been on a quinoa kick lately. Current obsession: these quinoa cakes. But, I have a new love affair going with this idea...

My latest quinoa obsession? Using this high-protein grain as a filling for burritos, like the way the gals do over at Three Many Cooks.
Blogger Maggy Keet writes: "Since cutting back on our meat consumption, I have been looking for a way to make our weekly fajita night meat-free too. A few times I tried throwing extra vegetables into the roasting pan, but Andy and I both still felt they lacked filler - something that was healthy, but made us feel full. Since quinoa is packed with protein, I developed a quinoa-black bean fajita filler that’s flavorful and easy to make. ... These were a huge success!"

Dinner Tonight: A Fab Recipe for Pita Pizzas!

Say you're really, really tired, and out of creativity, and yet you're craving something healthy and satisfying. Make this.

Josie from Pink Parsley has the perfect dinner idea for a work night when you really, really don't want to cook: Pita Pizzas!
"I am all about quick and easy meals these days," she writes. Her solution: Pita Pizzas! "I loved them so much that I had them for lunch the next two days as well. You start with a pita--whole wheat if you're feeling healthy--and crisp them up shortly in the oven. Hummus acts as the sauce, then you can play with the toppings and add whatever you see fit. I did a combination of cherry tomatoes, onion, and kalamata olives. Sprinkle with some mozzarella and feta, then the pizzas get another brief stint in the oven to heat everything up and melt the cheese. And then the grand finale: Drizzle the whole thing with tzatziki!"

\

Breakfast at Your Desk: Mix This Into Your Oatmeal for a Surprising Boost of Health

Whether you're eating oatmeal or cereal, mix in this add-in for a boost to your overall health, say researchers...

Go raisins!
Your favorite snack as a kid may help lower your blood pressure, say researchers. According to a new report, a handful of raisins (better yet, eaten three times per day) may have the power to decrease blood pressure and improve heart health. I love raisins sprinkled into oatmeal or even yogurt as a natural sweetener.

Weight Loss News: Could This Type of Coffee Beans Help You Lose Weight?

You love coffee, but if you're grinding up these types of beans in the morning, they may have a weight loss benefit, say researchers...

University of Scranton researchers report that green coffee beans may have surprising weight loss qualities. Yes, green coffee beans don't usually appear in your favorite bag of coffee, but maybe they should. Here's why: In their study, researchers found that overweight people who consumed a daily ground green coffee bean supplement lost more weight than research subjects who ate the same amount of calories but did not take the green coffee bean supplements.
The study was small, and the researchers did receive funding from a company that is looking into the antioxidant and health properties of green coffee beans, so definitely more research is needed before we get all excited about unroasted coffee beans. But still, interesting! (For anyone interested in buying green coffee beans, you can find them here.)
What's your stance on coffee: Do you feel good about drinking it, or are you always trying to cut back? Personally, after reporting on years of health research about the good benefits of coffee, I feel great about my morning (and afternoon!) cup!

Your Happiness: How Keeping a Secret Changes Your Mental Outlook

Are you keeping a secret? A big one? Is it healthy? Researchers have answers that might surprise you.

Sadly, if you're keeping a big secret, it may not only be stressful, it might actually decrease your overall happiness and make you feel physically burdened down. Researchers at Tufts University found that people keeping deep secrets (for example: the truth about one's sexual orientation or infidelity) perceived life all around them as more daunting. When researchers asked them, for instance, to gauge how steep a hill was, the secret-keepers were more likely to believe it was steeper and more insurmountable than those who weren't keeping a big secret.
So interesting!

Healthy Snack Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Cups

You gals know that I looooove cucumbers. And, I'm loving the idea of these little cucumber cups...

Georgia from The Comfort of Cooking hit the spot (for me, at least!) with these adorable and flavor-packed Mediterranean cucumber cups (think: feta, kalamata olives and tomatoes). Get the recipe here.
I always feel, oddly, refreshed and calmer after munching on cucumbers. Is this all in my head? Perhaps. But I'm OK with that.

Dessert Tonight! A Recipe for--Amazing--Nutella Fudge Pops

Love Nutella? I do! Yeah, it's not exactly health food, but a little goes a long way, and with just a few ingredients, you can make these beauties for dessert...

Chocolate-Covered Katie shared her amazing recipe for Nutella Fudge Pops recently, and I adore them because they just call for a smidge of Nutella, and only a few other ingredients (like bananas and cocoa powder). These look soooo good and satisfying! Making ASAP. (Somebody give this girl a cookbook contract!)

Healthy Sleep: The 1 Reason to Get at Least Six Hours a Night

Are you yawning at your desk today? If you got less than six hours of sleep last night, and this is a pretty regular thing for you, read on...

Health experts have known for a long time that sleep is key to good health--and happiness. But did you know that not getting enough sleep can also reduce your lifespan?
In a new study, British researchers say that getting less than six hours of sleep per night is associated with a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. In fact, in the 1,000 people studied, those that got less than six hours of sleep a night were twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack 70 percent more likely to have congestive heart failure as compared to people who slept more than six hours per night.
That's a big deal! And, because it's very easy to get less than six hours a night when leading a busy life (I'm guilty!), I think this is a reminder that we all need.

How many hours do you get a night?

Health Controversy: Alicia Silverstone Mouth-Feeds Her Baby (Like a Mother Bird)--Would You?

People are buzzing about Alicia Silverstone's very intimate way of feeding her baby son (think about how a mama bird inserts worms into a baby bird's mouth, and you'll get the idea). But, is it healthy?

The video says it all! Actress Alicia Silverstone, who is a vegan, feeds her 11-month-old son in a very unusual way. Basically, she chews the food for him, and he takes it from her mouth.
Before you judge, this practice of mouth-to-mouth feeding, also known as "kiss-feeding" is believed to have some health benefits. Here's what Alicia had to say on her web site about the video: "I fed Bear the mochi and a tiny bit of veggies from the soup…from my mouth to his. It's his favorite...and mine."
While some say this is sweet and intimate, others worry that this type of feeding could pass viruses, bacteria, even herpes from mouth-to-mouth.

Afternoon Snack Recipe: Baked Jalapeno Poppers!

Love jalapeno poppers? Have you ever tried baking them? One blogger points out that the result is just as tasty, and far healthier for you, too!

The recipe and photos over at Honey What's Cooking are proof that jalapeno poppers can be baked and yet still be yummy. Recipe here.
I happen to love jalapenos (and all spicy peppers!) so this is definitely going on my to-make list. Bonus: Jalapenos may have mood-boosting properties!

Healthy Dinner Recipe: Genius, Asparagus Pesto Pasta

I love asparagus, and they're coming into season right now! Woohoo! Here's an amazing idea for cooking them up...

Gals, MAKE THIS RECIPE. I bought a bunch of asparagus at the market and brought them home with no idea what I'd come up with, and then I found the idea for asparagus pesto over on Quick Dish.
What is asparagus pesto, you ask? It's a puree of Parmesan cheese, steamed asparagus, lemon, almonds, and a bit of olive oil. Smother the mixture on pasta shells for the springiest dinner. You will love it. Recipe and cooking tips here.
Happy weekend, and enjoy!

BREAKING! The Best Health Discovery in History: Study Finds Hot Fudge TRIPLES Your Metabolism!

Oh man. Oh man. The BEST NEWS EVER today. This morning, Harvard researchers made a breakthrough in weight-loss research: they've confirmed that ingestion of a specific daily quota hot fudge triples your metabolism!

The results of the study, released exclusively to Glamour, indicate that if a minimum of a quarter-cup of hot fudge is included in a balanced diet daily, the body will begin to metabolize food at a minimum of three-times faster than its current rate! The best part? The body responds within 10 days!
One caveat: Make sure the fudge gets heated to at least 78.6 degrees F to take advantage of its full benefits.
To celebrate the news, we've come up with a few ideas for indulging:

The Hot Fudge Shot (but remember, you'll need to take a few to hit your daily minimum!):

The Hot Fudge Plate-Liner (put a base-layer of hot fudge under all meals so you don't forget to meet your requirement):

Hot Fudge Soup:

And, of course, the classic Hot Fudge Sunday!

With a tripled metabolism, you don't even have to worry about the ice cream calories. It's brilliant! Thanks so much, Harvard--this is the best news ever!
And we really hate to do this, but HAPPY APRIL FOOLS!

Breakfast At Your Desk: It's Healthy, It's Yummy, and It'll Make You Smile

OK, I get that breakfast is anything but laid-back for most of us. In fact, the mornings are usually so busy, it's hard to even call whatever it is we grab from the fridge and eat on the way out the door a meal... let alone breakfast. So while these recipes aren't the most practical for a hurried Monday morning, I'm hoping they'll at least make you smile...

... and maybe you'll try them out for Easter brunch or something next weekend.
Funny Food: 365 Healthy, Silly, Creative Breakfasts by Bill and Claire Wurtzel is just too awesome. It's exactly what the title suggests: a book that's overflowing with fruit, pancakes, and eggs, all carved up in clever ways that look almost too good to eat. Take a look:

Amazing what a banana, peach, and blueberry can do.

The book calls this a "fruit-ster." Cock-a-doodle-cantaloupe!

An egg chef!

I tried out a pineapple rabbit recipe with my usually-breakfast-averse kids and, not only was it adorable and really easy, they ate all of it. And they are now insisting I buy a bucket of eggs so they can try out all the egg-based critters. (I'm seeing repurposed Easter eggs in my future....)

Have You Ever Tried the "Cinnamon Challenge"? Why Poison Control Centers Are Begging You Not To

I'll bet you've seen the videos of people who have decided to undertake the "Cinnamon Challenge"--and the almost always-disastrous results.

With more than 30,000 (!) YouTube videos of people trying the "Cinnamon Challenge," it's safe to say it's gone viral. Here's how it works: challengers must eat a tablespoon of powdered cinnamon--sans water--without throwing up or letting it spray out of their mouths in a cloud of red dust.
Why? Who even knows? But it's gotten hugely popular--particularly amongst the teen set--to try to show cinnamon who's boss (and recording the results).
If you look at even just one of the videos of people tossing back spoonfuls of cinnamon, you'll see it looks... awful. They cough and gag, spewing cinnamon and often even puking. But it's not actually doing anyone harm--right? According to poison control centers: wrong. In fact, they warn that the "Cinnamon Challenge" could come with serious and possibly even fatal health risks, such as lung damage ("People who cough that hard can have problems that can range from collapsing a lung to having lungs that get really inflamed, or pulmonary edema," says one expert) and pneumonia (from accidentally breathing cinnamon into the lungs). Plus, if someone's allergic to cinnamon and suffers a reaction, they could end up in respiratory distress.
All good reasons to keep cinnamon where it belongs: on gooey cinnamon rolls. Also, chai tea. Or sprinkled in the cinnamon-infused recipe of your choice.
Have you ever heard of the "Cinnamon Challenge" or known anyone who's tried it? And, semi-related: what's your best cinnamony recipe?

Whoa--Guess What Age Some Girls Are Hitting Puberty These Days (P.S.: When Did It Happen to You?)

Oh, puberty. I was somewhere between 13 and 14 when I was finally, officially in the club. It seemed to take for-freaking-ever, but the truth was that the other girls were only about six months to a year ahead (which, of course, might as well have been a lifetime back then). I was pretty ready--but if I had been the age that some of today's girls are facing puberty, I can honestly say I would have been so confused and freaked out.

These days, going through puberty before the age of 10 is considered "normal." The New York Times spoke with a mother about her daughter, who she's been taking from physician to physician, because the 9-year-old started developing pubic hair at the age of 6. She was in first grade.
Experts have noted that some girls are experiencing budding breasts at an earlier age--as young as 7 years old. And what's especially flummoxing to researchers is that, even though the onset of puberty seems to hit earlier and earlier, the age for menarche--a girl's first period--has stayed pretty steady over the years, at about 12.5 years old (down from about 12.8 years).
As to why girls are experiencing "precocious puberty," experts have a few leads:
* Overweight girls tend to enter puberty earlier. Fat tissue can set off "a feedback loop that can cause a body to mature."
* The exposure to certain environmental chemicals can lead to earlier puberty. Estrogen-mimics, such as BPA (found in some plastics and processed foods), "behave like steroid hormones and can alter puberty timing." About 93 percent of us have traces of BPA in our bodies--more than a million pounds of the substance are released into the environment each year. (Holy. Cow.)
* Family stress can apparently be a major contributor: "Girls who from an early age grow up in homes without their biological fathers are twice as likely to go into puberty younger as girls who grow up with both parents." Some research also shows that girls who grow up with stepfathers and girls who have mothers with depression mature earlier.
Some of these factors can be counteracted, to a degree--exercise can help prevent early puberty, for example. But experts and researchers are still putting together all the pieces of the puzzle, and urge parents of early developers to take care of their daughters' emotional wellbeing--supporting them, loving them, and treating them as they age they are, not as the age they look.
How old were you when puberty hit? Any thoughts or reactions to the "new normal" age for girls to go through puberty?

Healthy Snack Recipe: Veggie Muffins (They Taste JUST Like Carrot Cake--and You Won't Believe the Secret Ingredients!)

If you're as much a fan of carrot cake as I am--and I am a card-carrying member, trust!--then you simply must check out this awesome recipe. I promise it won't disappoint--especially because it has a secret health-boost inside.

When it comes to sweets, I have a weakness, and that weakness is spelled "carrot cake." One of my friends makes the most delicious versions ever, which she delivers on special occasions and ohmygod does it make me look forward to those special occasions.
But, as you know, just because the word "carrot" is in the recipe title, that doesn't mean every version is healthful. That's why Dana from MADE absolutely made my night with this Veggie Muffins recipe. Take a look at the secret ingredients:

Yes! Broccoli! These moist, yummy carrot-cakey muffins have broccoli in them, too. Plus yogurt, prune juice, and bananas.
Carrot cake lovers, say hi! What do you think? Would you try these veggie-infused muffins?

Would You Like Fries with Your Depression? The Newest Mood News About Fast Food

While it may be quick--and, yes, sometimes deceptively tasty--fast food doesn't have a whole lot of checks in the "healthy" column. But you knew that. What you might not know is that it could play a role in your mental state.

According to new research by scientists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of Granada, there may be a correlation between how much fast food you eat and how depressed you are.
The study found that participants who regularly ate fast food (pizza, burgers, fries) and commercially-produced baked goods (croissants, doughnuts, muffins) were 51 percent more likely to develop depression. (All 8,964 people in the study were not depressed when the research began.) The researchers also found that fast-food eaters were more likely to be more sedentary, smoke, eat other unhealthy foods, and work 45 or more hours a week.
The study adds new information to earlier studies, such as the one reporting a correlation between depression and people who ate fried foods, and another that found a link between the consumption of trans fats and irritability and aggression.
But experts say it's not entirely fair to blame fast food--the newest study not a demonstration of cause and effect. Says Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center: "Higher intake of fast food may very well increase risks of depression by causing poor health in general. But depression may also increase fast food intake. [...] We use the term 'comfort food' for a reason. It can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. So it may be that people with depression are turning to [fast food] for relief."

Meet The 70-Year-Old Vegan Who Looks Like She's 35!

She's over 70, and she looks like she's in her thirties. Meet Annette Larkins, a woman who is making a lot of people wonder if raw, vegan diet can not only improve your health, but improve your looks...

I recently watched this video of 70-year-old vegan and raw-food enthusiast Annette Larkins who says eating a plant-based diet for more than fifty years has kept her body amazingly youthful looking.
Of course, genetics are at play too--so who really knows if these results could be reproduced. Still, it is a fascinating reminder that what we eat does affect how we look.

Government: BPA Is a Known Health Risk, But We're Not Outlawing It (*Bangs Head Against Desk*)

The plastic-derived chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA), is popular among food makers as a liner for canned foods. But, health experts say that it's damaging to our health, prompting a recent government review. And the verdict is in and some are not happy: Looks like BPA will be here to stay, at least for now.

Even after Canada added BPA to its list of "toxic substances" in 2010, and Canada, the European Union (along with 11 states) have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles, the FDA announced yesterday that it would not ban the chemical in food product packaging.
According to past research, BPA has been linked with heart disease, reproductive problems, behavioral problems and breast and prostate cancers. From Nature: "Scientists believe that it produces such a wide range of health effects in low doses because it mimics the hormone oestrogen, disrupting human development and making it particularly potent for infants."
Major food makers, including Campbell's Soup, have announced changes to supposedly move away from using BPA in their products (good news!), and yet it puzzles me that the FDA won't get on board, too.

Healthy Eating: Could You Take the Three-Chew Challenge?

Want to eat more healthy foods and less fat and sugary treats? Some experts say it all boils down to the three-chew challenge. What is it?

That first bite of chocolate cake? Divine. The second? Equally as good, as is the third. But something strange happens after the third bite, say health experts and researchers: We don't get the same sort of pleasure reward when eating a sweet treat. In fact, we tend to eat the rest mindlessly, without enjoying it in the same way we enjoyed the first three bites.
That's why some experts say the key to enjoying treats without packing on extra pounds is to limit your intake to three bites--and really savor those three bites! I think this is so true, and a great reminder. (Because haven't we all ordered dessert after a restaurant meal and finished the last bite only to say "why did I eat all of that!?")

Afternoon Snack: Cheesecake-Stuffed Chocolate Easter Eggs

Easter's coming, and that means chocolate eggs are probably in your future (if the Easter Bunny is good to you, that is)! I discovered these cute homemade cheesecake-stuffed chocolate eggs that are surprisingly easy to make...

Steph, from Raspberri Cupcakes, came up with the coolest dessert recipe: Chocolate-egg shells (surprisingly easy to make) stuffed with cheescake. And because you can make the cheesecake filling low-sugar and low-fat (just use less sugar and light cream cheese!) this might be a smart treat to have on Easter.
"This recipe could not be any easier," says Steph. "There's no baking involved and it takes hardly any time to create these cute Cheesecake-Filled Chocolate Easter Eggs with a 'yolk' made of passionfruit sauce."
This reminds me of a more delicious, more wholesome Cadbury Egg.

Deadly Skin Cancer on the Rise in Young Women--What's Going on?

You know to wear your sunscreen, and you've heard all about the risks of indoor tanning. So why are so many (too many) young women still getting melanoma?

According to a fascinating new study by Mayo Clinic researchers, the rate of melanoma (aka, the most deadly form of skin cancer) in young women between the ages of 18 and 39 has increased eight-fold between 1970 and 2009. They even called the rising rate of skin cancer between women ages 20-30 "dramatic."
So, what's going on? You guessed it: Researchers blame indoor tanning bed use.
It seems that as much as women know about the risks of indoor tanning, many continue to think that they won't be affected by skin cancer. Sad and scary.

Breakfast at Your Desk: The Carrot-Mango-Nutmeg Beauty Smoothie

Vitamin A is such a powerhouse nutrient for beautiful skin, and this smoothie is packed with it. It makes a great, tasty breakfast.

The delicious smoothie that's great for your skin? Try this Carrot-Mango smoothie with a dash of yummy nutmeg, from Whole Living. This smoothie is packed with skin-beautifying beta-carotene, an ingredient found in orange foods, which dermatologists say are essential for beautiful skin. And, remember researchers even found that loading up on veggies and fruits, like carrots and mangoes, can give you a healthy glow. Recipe here.

True Health Confession: This Vitamin G Reader Tried the HCG Diet

We've reported on the HCG diet here before. That's the one where you inject yourself, or take pills, containing what's commonly known as the pregnancy hormone--all in effort to lose weight. Whether it works, and whether it's even safe, is debatable. But, one Vitamin G reader shares her story--packed with telling, and hilarious details...

Author and Los Angeles blogger Liz Fenton decided to give the HCG diet a try, and when her mom told her about it over Thanksgiving, she decided to investigate it and give it a try. Here, she shares her experience, exclusively, with Glamour:
Days 1 and 2 "Fat Load”: Can I get an amen? How could any diet be bad that encourages you to eat AS MUCH FAT AS POSSIBLE for two days straight? On Christmas Eve and Christmas day I down more goat cheese and Italian sausage than any one human being should ever consume. Feel ready to go down to 500 calories the next morning. And did I read that I could drink as much black coffee and green tea as I want? I so got this.
Day 3: Um, I'm pretty hungry. Didn't that brochure say I wouldn't be hungry? Try not to stare at the kids while they devour the peanut butter cups Santa left in their stocking and imagine myself fitting into that tiny black dress tucked in the back of my closet. And is it just me, or do the HCG drops taste like a cheap vodka shot? *cue bad college flashbacks*
Day 4: Contact friends who have been on same diet who smugly inform me that they were NEVER hungry when they did HCG. Get strange satisfaction out of making a vat of guacamole, chicken chow mein and two pizzas for the family. Catch husband eyeing me warily out the corner of my eye.
Day 5: Down 5 pounds and decide to take the kids sledding in a futile attempt to escape hunger. Almost black out at the top of the sledding hill. Play game on the way home where I tell the hubs exactly what I would order at each and every restaurant we pass on the two-hour drive home. He quietly indulges me, not wanting the crazy hungry person inside of me to rear it's ugly head. I don't tell him that his arm looks like a meaty hambone and I want to take a bite out of it.

Day 6: Stomach has started to make weird noises and I imagine that it's actually eating itself. May never look at radishes, spinach or those freakin' WASA crackers the same way again. In an act of rebellion, gorge myself on 6oz (rather than the recommended 4oz) of chicken for lunch. Feels liberating.
Day 7: Cannot. Stop. Cooking. Fresh bruschetta, pasta and chocolate pudding for dessert are just a few of the fattening things I'm obsessed with making for others. I've lost six pounds, the hubs has gained five.
Day 8: Realize I've been breaking a cardinal rule and *gasp* mixing my vegetables rather than eating them separately. Lament the weight I could have lost if I hadn't skimmed the directions. Wondering how I'm going to make it through 17 more days of this crap?!

New Years Eve: GAIN two pounds. Have Oscar-worthy meltdown before throwing the HCG drops in the trash and eating so much bread with butter that I get the hiccups. Decide to ring in the New Year by eating chocolate-covered strawberries and sipping champagne.
2012: Swear off fad diets and download a fantastic app called Net Diary that helps me count calories. Lost those six pounds in ten days by just simply tracking every single thing that enters my mouth. (Who knew those tortilla chips were so many calories!) Make resolution that 2012 will be the year I learn to love myself.

Oh Great: We Now Have Longer, More Painful Labors Than Our Grandmothers

My first baby arrived after 36 hours of painful, exhausting labor--this after hearing that every other woman in my family had relatively easy, short labors. Well, experts say I may not be in the minority. Longer labors are on the rise...

Ouch! According to a new report, women these days experience longer, and possibly more painful (due to the increased length of time) labors as compared to women in decades past. In fact, compared to 50 years ago, women experience 2.6 hours longer in the first stage of labor, and about 2.5 hours longer overall.
While the researchers don't have a good explanation, they suggest that the results could be explained by a.) the increasing age of women starting families, and b.) a higher rate of Cesarians.
Not sure how I feel about this news, you?! I'd like to think that labor and delivery is getting easier with time...

Afternoon Snack Recipe: Hard-boiled ... Bunnies?

OK, we seem to be in the Easter spirit around here. But aren't these little bunnies cute?

How cute are these deviled eggs from MyFudo? I love the radishes for ears!

Bizarre Food Product: Square Watermelon

You love watermelon, but could you get into square watermelons? They're all the rage in Asia...

First came Buddha-shaped pears. Now, Next Nature has the scoop on the latest food craze in Asia: square melons.
But, it's less about being cute and more about space-saving, say experts. Japanese farmers figured out how to grow their melons in square and triangular shapes to save space in packing and shipping.
Makes sense! But, I still think these look so weird!
Have you seen square melons? And what are your thoughts on such newfangled fruit?

Breakfast at Your Desk: The Secret Ingredient in This Muffin Recipe? Lentils!

Lentils? In muffins? Get ready to say yes to this strange ingredient that boosts the fiber and protein factor bigtime!

Found over on BS' in the Kitchen, is an idea for orange cranberry muffins made with lentils!
"Looking for a delicious way to add more fiber and protein into your diet?" they write. "These little muffins may be the solution. Their superhero ingredient? Lentils. Yes, you heard me right. Lentils. Give these little muffins a try and I can guarantee that they will give you a lovely and tasty surprise."
Well, they look good! I'm willing to try them. You?

The Scary Health Risk for Tall Women

Are you tall? Experts say it could mean this surprising thing for your health...

An Oxford University study of more than 100,000 women found that for every extra two inches of height, your risk for ovarian cancer increases by 7 percent. Experts aren't sure why this is the case, but it's a good reminder to be screened for ovarian cancer and chat with your doctor about your risk factors if you're tall. (And, check out what researchers say about women's height and their happiness!)
Does ovarian cancer run in your family? Are your family members tall?

I Tried It: Indoor ... Skydiving!

Today, let's welcome Seattle writer and blogger Katie Kavulla who is here to share her amazing, indoor skydiving experience. Yes, INDOOR skydiving. Intrigued?

Skydiving indoors in a simulated wind tunnel sounds slightly less frightening than the kind where you jump out of a plane, but, as writer Katie Kavulla, explains, its not an experience that comes without the jitters. Take it away, Katie ...

I know that there are people out there who have skydiving on their bucket list. I was not one of those people. Before going indoor skydiving at iFLY, I was perfectly content watching the contestants on "Amazing Race" jump out of planes from the comfort of my very comfy and very safe Crate and Barrel couch.
But, with an indoor skydiving article already assigned for a local parenting newsletter, where I was about to tell parents that they should take their children indoor skydiving, I found myself saying yes to iFLY's invitation to come give it a spin myself. I mean, how could I suggest that children as young as three years old take flight if I was too chicken at 31?
The morning of the flight I was nervous. Knots-in-my-stomach nervous. I was even hoping, in the back of my scaredy-cat mind, that my babysitter wouldn't show up and I'd have to cancel. But no, she was right on time, as usual, and off I went. I had told my 7-year old daughter that I was going indoor skydiving that day and the freaked out look on her face didn't really help. I was hoping she'd boost my confidence a little with a "That's so cool, Mom!", but instead, I got a "LIKE, JUMPING OUT OF A PLANE???" Oops.
The instructors at iFLY were so kind and sweet and even the 10-year old in my group seemed to be excited, while I was literally shaking putting on my flight suit and helmet (Side note: Not an attractive look ladies. Might want to skip this one on first-date territory). They assured us all that it was perfectly safe, we watched a video about the hand signals they'd give us in the tube and away we went. I tried hard to be the last one on the bench, but ended up somewhere in the middle and eventually, it was my turn.

From the moment I leaned into the wind of the tunnel, I was flying. Although the instructors have their hands on you most of the time to keep you balanced, you don't even notice it. I just kept thinking in my head, "I'm doing this! I'm actually doing this! Is this what real skydiving looks like? Is my neck skin flopping around and looking gross? What is that hand signal he's giving me? Right, chin up. I'M DOING THIS!" The flight itself only lasted for two-minutes, but I'm pretty sure the grin on my face lasted the rest of the day.
I can certainly see now, why people get a high from skydiving... and from pushing themselves out of their comfort zone for extreme sports. As a gal who prefers to take calculated risks (in all areas of my life, not just when it comes to things such as this), this experience was good for me in so many ways. Not only did that surge of adrenaline in my body pump me up for the rest of that day and week, but remembering that feeling has pushed me to consider what else I can challenge myself to do physically. I want to start snowboarding again next winter--something I haven't done in almost 10 years--and yes, I'm even considering going skydiving for real. Like, jumping out of a plane, as my daughter Janie so aptly described it.
One indoor skydiving experience does not a daredevil make, but I'm pretty sure I can just barely feel some little devil horns poking through my highlighted blonde locks. Ones that certainly weren't there before.

Afternoon Snack Recipe: Yogurt-Covered Blueberries!

Next time you're craving something sinful, make sure you have these babies in the fridge...

The Caffeinated Chronicles of Supermom featured a so-smart way to make a healthy frozen treat that may be the perfect way to zap an ice cream craving: frozen yogurt-covered blueberries!

Here's how you make them: "I took two cups Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt (blue cup) honey flavor and one carton fresh blueberries. Stick a berry with a toothpick and dip/swirl in the yogurt cup and use a second tooth pick to push it off onto a cookie sheet. Do all of them and place in the freezer. After an hour you can pop them off the cookie sheet and into a plastic baggie. I got 3 sandwich bags full!"

Beware of This Sushi: It May Be Linked to a Nationwide Salmonella Outbreakbreak Read More http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g/2012/04/beware-of-this-sushi-it-may-be.html#ixzz1rKL40Ohl

Love sushi? I do! But, when it comes to a certain type of sushi roll, proceed with caution, since experts say it may be linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak...

In general, sushi is a healthy choice (as long as you're avoiding the rolls dripping with mayo sauces!), and it may even have weight loss properties, say some. But, eating raw fish is a risk (even if it is a delicious risk), and if you happen to love spicy tuna rolls, listen up.
TIME reports that an unusual strain of salmonella called Salmonella Bareilly has infected more than 90 people in 19 states.
An internal USDA memo was leaked to the press pointing to sushi being the likely culprit, ”with spicy tuna roll sushi highly suspect,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Salmonella can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, and even death.
(Ugh, more sushi worries: Some experts say that salmon rolls can increase your chance of contracting a tape worm--eww!)
Do you love sushi? Do you ever worry about health risks or do you just shrug it off?