NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a group of urban African-American youths, vitamin D deficiency was considerably more prevalent among those with asthma, a new study shows.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in African Americans than in other races, and African American children are also more likely to have asthma, Dr. Robert J. Freishtat and associates noted in their March 18 online article in the Journal of Pediatrics. However, the role of vitamin D in asthma remains unclear.

Using data from the Asthma Severity Modifying Polymorphisms (AsthMaP) Project, the investigators compared 85 asthmatic children (ages 6 to 20) and 21 healthy controls (ages 6 to 9). Both groups were African-American, with a similar prevalence of obesity and from the same general area of Washington, DC. No one in the study was taking vitamin D supplements.

The authors diagnosed 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency in subjects with levels < 30 ng/mL and deficiency in those with levels < 20 ng/mL.

Median vitamin D level was significantly lower in the asthmatic subjects than in the controls (18.5 vs 40.4 ng/mL, p = 0.002) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index percentile, and season of sampling.
Similarly, the children with asthma had substantially higher rates of vitamin D insufficiency (86% vs 19%) and deficiency (54% vs 5%).

Results were similar when the researchers confined the analysis to children 9 years old and younger.

Because of the cross-sectional design, the study did not prove causation. For example, the authors say, children with asthma may be out in the sun less often than healthy children, or else low vitamin D contributes to asthma prevalence. They suggest that controlled clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation in young urban African Americans with asthma would help clarify the matter.

"Emerging associations between low vitamin D levels and asthma, obesity, and immunodeficiency necessitate strong consideration for routine vitamin D testing in urban African American youth, particularly those with asthma," Dr. Freishtat, from Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, and his associates conclude.

Nap much? If not, you need to get on that.

Young adults who slept for 90 minutes after lunch increased their "learning power,'' apparently readying their memories to soak up new facts, according to an article in The New York Times, which cites new research presented at the the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego.

"You need to sleep before learning, to prepare your brain, like a dry sponge, to absorb new information,'' Matthew P. Walker, an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Califorinia, Berkeley, said in the article.

The study observed 39 healthy young adults and divided them into two groups. All were asked to learn 100 names and faces at noon, then another set at 6 p.m., the article says. But 20 of the volunteers who slept for 90 minutes between the two periods enhanced their scores by an average of 10 percent after napping, while the scores of those who didn't nap fell by 10 percent.

Until now, studies of have shown that sleep helps strengthen memory after cramming for exams, but the new findings, which have not yet been published, indicate that sleep can "actually restore the ability to learn,'' the article says.

Sleep is just now being recognized as a powerful health rejuvenator.

"While we often consider sleep to be a 'passive' activity, sufficient sleep is increasingly being recognized as an essential aspect of health promotion and chronic disease prevention in the public health community,'' according to the the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A lack of sleep is associated with chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression, according to the CDC. "Notably, insufficient sleep is associated with the onset of these diseases and also poses important implications for their management and outcome,'' the site says.

More than one-quarter of the U.S. population reports occasionally not getting enough sleep, while nearly 10 percent experiences chronic insomnia, resulting in low productivity and accidents, according to the CDC. Now, health care officials can tackle sleeplessness as a physical and mental health problem.

Just think, in the future your doctor may write a prescription for a daily nap--preferably at noon.

Healthy eating tip 1: Set yourself up for success
To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.

Simplify. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of color, variety and freshness—then it should be easier to make healthy choices. Focus on finding foods you love and easy recipes that incorporate a few fresh ingredients. Gradually, your diet will become healthier and more delicious.

Start slow and make changes to your eating habits over time. Trying to make your diet healthy overnight isn’t realistic or smart. Changing everything at once usually leads to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. Make small steps, like adding a salad (full of different color vegetables) to your diet once a day or switching from butter to olive oil when cooking. As your small changes become habit, you can continue to add more healthy choices to your diet.

Every change you make to improve your diet matters. You don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to completely eliminate foods you enjoy to have a healthy diet. The long term goal is to feel good, have more energy and reduce the risk of cancer and disease. Don’t let your missteps derail you—every healthy food choice you make counts.

Healthy eating tip 2: Moderation is key
People often think of healthy eating as an all or nothing proposition, but a key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation. Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals to sustain a healthy body.


Try not to think of certain foods as “off limits.” When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more, and then feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. If you are drawn towards sweet, salty or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often. Later you may find yourself craving them less or thinking of them as only an occasional indulgence.

Think smaller portions. Serving sizes have ballooned recently, particularly in restaurants. When dining out, choose a starter instead of an entrée, split a dish with a friend and don’t order supersized anything. At home, use smaller plates, think about serving sizes in realistic terms and start small. Visual cues can help with portion sizes—your serving of meat, fish or chicken should be the size of a deck of cards. A teaspoon of oil or salad dressing is about the size of a matchbook and your slice of bread should be the size of a CD case.

Healthy eating tip 3: It's not just what you eat, it's how you eat
Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate—it is also about how you think about food. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down in between meetings or on the way to pick up the kids.

Eat with others whenever possible. Eating with other people has numerous social and emotional benefits—particularly for children—and allows you to model healthy eating habits. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating.
Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes. Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.

Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.

Eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (rather than the standard three large meals) keeps your energy up and your metabolism going.

Kanisha was in a longtime relationship with her high school sweetheart, when she discovered that she was HIV positive. "I'd been hearing commercials about getting tested, so I decided to go for a check-up," says the East Coast college student, whose name and other identifying details have been changed to protect her privacy.
That doctor's visit proved anything but routine.

Kanisha not only learned she'd been infected with the virus that causes AIDS, she also found out her boyfriend had given her another sexually transmitted infection.
When she confronted him, the conversation was "not pretty," she recalls. Her man insisted he didn't know he was HIV positive, but admitted he'd had unprotected sex with a woman he met while away at school. He apologized, but the damage was done. "I don't see myself having another relationship for a very long time," she says, crying softly.

This type of story is not isolated in a nation where African-Americans comprise 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 46 percent of those living with HIV. Experts say young people are increasingly impacted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, of the nearly 25,000 new infections estimated to occur annually among African-Americans, 38 percent -- more than a third -- are among young people aged 13-to-29 years old.
That rate is seven times higher than that of white males, and 11 times higher than white females in the same age group.

Young black gay/bisexual men fare even worse: they make up more than half (55 percent) of new infections among African-Americans in the 13 to 29 demographic.
"This data is devastating. There's no ethnic group in America that's more impacted by HIV and AIDS," says Phill Wilson, founder/executive director of The Black AIDS Institute, a national advocacy organization in Los Angeles. "Each one of us has to be responsible for ending this in our community. If not, we have blood on our hands."
The issue was front and center on Thursday on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. The CDC kicked-off a new HIV a new social media initiative simply dubbed "i know", targeting African-Americans aged 18-24.

Students from historically black colleges and universities in the Atlanta area were invited, and the event was also webcast live to other HBCU campuses across the nation. Black youth are becoming infected faster than any other segment of the African-American community, say experts, but research indicates declining concern among them about HIV.

"We're seeing that they're not engaging in protective behaviors," such as consistent condom usage, or abstinence, says Robert E. Bailey II, a team leader in the CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. "We really want young people to begin to talk about HIV/AIDS with their friends and families, so we can break the cycle."

The "i know" kick-off is part of a larger, $45 million, five-year effort campaign launched by the CDC in 2009, called Act Against AIDS. More than a dozen leading African-American organizations -- including the Urban League, NAACP and Al Sharpton's National Action Network have committed to help spread education and prevention messages.

The "i know" campaign aims to reach youth via the web, text messaging, and social networking outlets like Facebook, and Twitter. Yesterday's event also featured the premiere of a web video with a public service announcement (PSA) starring Jamie Foxx.


Meantime, Ludacris, Keri Hilson, Raheem DeVaughn, and other celebs have also committed to promoting i know on their Facebook pages and in their Twitter feeds.
CDC officials believe "i know" has the potential to reach millions of young people. Among those taking part in Thursday's launch was Marvelyn Brown, a global HIV activist and co-author of "The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive."
In her 2008 memoir, Brown writes of being diagnosed with HIV in 2003 at age 19. She'd had unprotected sex with her boyfriend, who she says knew he was positive but kept it secret. Ostracized in her hometown of Nashville, she thought about taking her own life.

But she fought back. Today, at 25, Brown heads her own HIV consulting company in New York City and travels the world sharing her story. She has been has widely profiled by everyone from Oprah to Newsweek.

Her work includes speaking mostly at college campuses, as well as churches and other venues. She offers straight talk about sexuality as well as HIV testing.

"Young people are craving this information," says Brown, who takes seven pills daily and receives ongoing medical care. "I have committed my life to this. I'm trying to save lives."

Although an extra cup of coffee may make you feel like your heart is racing, researchers have found that drinking more coffee on a daily basis reduces your chances of dangerous irregular heartbeat, according to a Kaiser Permanente study.

The study included 130,054 adults who drank four or more cups of coffee per day. The results showed that compared to non-coffee drinkers, they lowered their risk of being hospitalized for irregular heartbeats by 18 percent. Researchers also concluded that even those who drank a lower amount of coffee (1-3 cups a day) were still 7 percent less likely to have irregular heartbeats.

The benefits and dangers of coffee have been in debate for a long time. Arthur Klatsky, cardiologist and lead investigator in the study, told Bloomberg that most people have nothing to worry about.

“People who are moderate coffee drinkers can be reassured that they are not doing harm because of their coffee drinking,” Klatsky said.

Cardiac rhythm disorders affect about 2.7 million Americans yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atril fibrillation is the most common disorder, which produces a rapid, irregular heartbeat.

“We shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that there is a protective effect of coffee, although the study suggests there might be,” Klatsky said.

The American Heart Association will include this study in their conference on cardiovascular disease March 5th in San Francisco.

WASHINGTON - The government is taking steps to curb use of some long-acting asthma drugs used by millions, issuing safety restrictions Thursday to lower a life-threatening risk that asthma could worsen suddenly.

The Food and Drug Administration's warnings cover the drugs Advair, Symbicort, Foradil and Serevent. The FDA said they should be used only by asthmatics who can't control their lung disease with other medications — and even then only for the shortest time possible.

Nor should LABA-containing drugs ever be used without simultaneous use of a different asthma-controlling medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid — a move that specifically targets two of the drugs, Foradil and Serevent, the FDA said.

Why? These four drugs contain an ingredient that relaxes muscles around stressed airways, called a long-acting beta agonist or LABA. While they're very helpful for some patients, the way LABA-containing drugs work also sometimes masks that inflammation is building in the airways. That means patients may not realize a serious asthma attack is brewing until they're gasping for air.

The FDA cited studies that showed an increased risk of hospitalization and even some deaths, particularly among children. One study found three extra adverse events — mostly hospitalizations — for every thousand patients who took a LABA-containing drug compared to another asthma medication, said FDA's Dr. Gerald Dal Pan.

Medical guidelines already urge people to use a LABA together with an inhaled corticosteroid to relieve inflammation. Advair and Symbicort combine both kinds of medicine in one inhaler. Over a year ago, the FDA's scientific advisers had urged that LABA-only medications, Foradil and Serevent, no longer be used to treat asthma — and that none of the four drugs be used in children.

The FDA said Thursday it was taking a somewhat stronger step. It can't pull those medications off the market because people with other lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, use them without the asthma risk. Just saying they shouldn't be used for asthma would have little practical effect, said Dr. John Jenkins, FDA's director of new drugs. So FDA labeled LABA-containing medications as contraindicated without simultaneous use of a different asthma-controlling medication — a legal term with more enforcement muscle to limit prescription. FDA will monitor that, to see if doctors follow the rules.

"Our goal is to overall reduce the use of LABAs, to manage the risk while at the same time keeping them available for those patients who really need them," said Jenkins, a pulmonologist.

"The reality is the available options to treat asthma are not that great," he added. For patients not well-controlled by inhaled corticosteroids alone, "their options for additional therapy are, in and of themselves, drugs with a lot of risk."

Other warnings:

—Quit LABA-containing drugs as soon as asthma is brought under control, in favor of a corticosteroid or other asthma-maintenance medicine.

—Children and teens should be prescribed only the combination LABA drugs to ensure compliance with both medications. That mostly happens today, as pediatric use of the single-agent drugs has plummeted with publicity about the risk.

—Manufacturers also will be required to study whether combination LABA use indeed lowers the risk.

Different seasons require different hair care techniques to maintain healthy hair. While you might wear your hair out much more often in the summer and rely on carefree styles when it's warm outside, your hair care routine will change during winter if you want to maintain healthy locks. Here are some winter hair care tips that will keep your tresses in great shape so that when spring rolls around, your hair will be ready to face warm weather in good health.

1. Beware Breakage
If you experience breakage in one or two specific areas of your hair, it might have nothing to do with how you care for it, but what you wear on it. Wool hats and scarves can rub against and pull on delicate black hair, breaking it off at the nape of your neck (where the scarf might sit) or at the crown of your head. You need a hat and scarf if you live in a snowy climate, but the trick is wearing them the right way to avoid damage. Try sewing a satin or silk lining inside your wool cap. If you're not crafty enough to do this, ask a friend or family member who is. Before wrapping that wool scarf around your neck, make sure your hair is out of the way, either through a protective style or already secured beneath your properly lined hat.

2. Deep Condition More Often
Heated homes and work spaces can dry out your hair, so combat this dryness with extra deep conditioning. Look for humectant products which hold in moisture and use a good deep conditioner about once a week.

3. Wet Less Often
It's no fun leaving the house on a frosty morning with wet or damp hair. If you live in a freezing climate, your hair may actually freeze and break if you step outside with wet hair. Even if a wash n' go was your go-to style in the spring and summer, winter requires less shampooing and daily wetting. You should still shampoo and condition about once a week, but since you aren't swimming often, you don't need to wet and/or conditioner wash as much.

4. Use Heat Even Less
Indoor heating is going to suck some of the moisture from your hair. Don't help it along with flat irons, blow dryers and curling irons. Winter is an ideal season to practice setting techniques like wet sets (completely dry before you head out the door), pin curls and wraps, none of which require heat to style your hair.

5. Rethink Protective Styling
While wearing protective styles is always a good idea for keeping hair ends up and out of the way, they work especially well in winter for protecting your hair from harsh weather. Snow, sleet and heat won't be able to damage your hair as much when you keep it styled in buns, topknots, braids, twists and French rolls.

In a commentary to be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in April, experts say there's a possibility that the more bored you are, the more likely you are to die early.

Annie Britton and Martin Shipley of University College London caution that boredom alone isn't likely to kill you — but it could be a symptom of other risky behavior like drinking, smoking, taking drugs or having a psychological problem.

The researchers analyzed questionnaires completed between 1985 and 1988 by more than 7,500 London civil servants ages 35 to 55. The civil servants were asked if they had felt bored at work during the previous month.

Britton and Shipley then tracked down how many of the participants had died by April 2009. Those who reported they had been very bored were two and a half times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who hadn't reported being bored.

But when the authors made a statistical adjustment for other potential risk factors, like physical activity levels and employment grade, the effect was reduced.

Other experts said while the research was preliminary, the link between boredom and increased heart problems was possible — if not direct.

"Someone who is bored may not be motivated to eat well, exercise, and have a heart-healthy lifestyle. That may make them more likely to have a cardiovascular event," said Dr. Christopher Cannon, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard University and spokesman for the American College of Cardiology.

He also said if people's boredom was ultimately linked to depression, it wouldn't be surprising if they were more susceptible to heart attacks; depression has long been recognized as a risk factor for heart disease. Cannon also said it was possible that when people are bored, dangerous hormones are released in the body that stress the heart.

Britton and Shipley said boredom was probably not in itself that deadly. "The state of boredom is almost certainly a proxy for other risk factors," they wrote. "It is likely that those who were bored were also in poor health."

Others said boredom was potentially as dangerous as stress.

"Boredom is not innocuous," said Sandi Mann, a senior lecturer in occupational psychology at the University of Central Lancashire who studies boredom.

She said boredom is linked to anger suppression, which can raise blood pressure and suppress the body's natural immunity. "People who are bored also tend to eat and drink more, and they're probably not eating carrots and celery sticks," she said.

Still, Mann said it was only people who were chronically bored who should be worried.

"Everybody is bored from time to time," she said.

People with diabetes have an increased risk for infections, expecially in their feet. Decreased circulation and changes in the blood vessels in the extremities can cause healing to be delayed. Complications can be devastating, if cuts and sores become infected. If the body can't fend off the infection, gangrene can develop. Amputation of the affected limb is often the result. Reduce the risk of complications and infections by following these tips.

1. Inspect Your Feet
Make sure to inspect your feet daily. Any signs of trauma such as redness or blisters, cuts, cracks, swelling or color changes should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. Using a mirror can help you see all areas on the bottoms of your feet.
2. Does The Shoe Fit?
Be certain that your shoes fit with room to wiggle your toes. Look inside your shoes before putting them on, in case there are any foreign objects hiding in there, such as gravel, that could cause sores or irritation. Wear clean well-fitting socks.
3. Toe The Line
Wash feet everyday and make sure that you dry them thoroughly. Inspect between your toes.
4. Nail Care
Always cut nails straight across and then smooth the edges with an emery board. For ease in cutting toenails, trim them after your bath or shower.
5. Do Not Self-Treat
See a podiatrist for corns, calluses or ingrown toenails. Do not attempt to self-treat these conditions.
6. Prevent Cracking
If your skin is dry, apply cream or petroleum jelly to feet and heels, but avoid the area between your toes. If cream sits in the crevices it can waterlog the skin and make it more susceptible to infection.
7. Keep Circulation Flowing
Try not to cross your legs when you sit down. This can limit circulation.
8. Keeping It Moderate
Protect your feet from extremes in temperature. Keep bath water temperate in the 85-90 F degree range (30-32 C). If neuropathy is present, you may not be able to feel if the water is too hot, and burns could result. Never use heating pads or hot water bottles. Protect your feet from temperatures that are too cold, as well. Prolonged cold can decrease circulation even more.
9. Pump It Up
Ask your healthcare professional about an exercise program that's right for you. Regular exercise improves circulation to all your extremities.
10. Last But Never Least
It's so important to practice preventative care like the tips listed here, every day. If you notice anything that does not look normal please follow up with your healthcare professional immediately. Also, for ultimate foot health, make sure that your healthcare professional assesses your feet at every routine visit.

All women, regardless of skin colour should follow a daily skin care routine. This should include cleaning, moisturising and protecting. But first you must identify your skin type. Once you have done this you can create the perfect daily skin care routine for yourself.

Black Skin Treatment – Step One – Know Your Skin Type

Do you have dry or oily skin? Once you know this you will be able to buy skin care products that specifically cater for your complexion. There is a huge array of merchandise available for all skin types – dry, oily or combination skin. If you can, try out a few skin care products in order to find the one that you feel is best for you.

You many be able to getta two in one product – one that moisturises and tones. This not only saves you time in the morning, but can also be advantageous to your budget.

Black Skin Treatment – Step Two – Cleaning

Be gentle with our skin as it is very delicate. Any abrasive and aggressive scrubbing could result in scratching and scarring of the skin. Never use skin lightning products as these mess up the general make up and chemical balance of your skin, causing irreversible damage and scarring. It is always best to accept your african roots and therefore embrace african skin care.

Black Skin Treatment – Step Three – Moisturing

All skin types need to moisturise. This is in order to keeep the skin fully hydrated and to restore balance. Seek out skin care products that are specifically made for your skin type.

Black Skin Treatment – Step Four – Sun Protection

Before you ask, yes it is possible for black people to get skin damage from the sun. Black people can also suffer from skin cancer. Most people believe that dark skin is immune, however the melanin in the skin offers some but not complete protection. Sun damage does occur, it is just less obvious as black people do not go red or tend to peel when sunburnt. It is therefore recommended that you use a moisturiser and /or sunscreen with a SPF 15.

Black Skin Treatment – Final Thoughts

If you follow this simple routine, you should have beautiful black glowing skin and reduce the risk of damage cause during your everyday life.

Does your neck look like the brotha's in the picture? Let me upgrade you!

To rid shaving bumps on black men is very easy and can be done with a shaving brush. Shaving bumps on black men generally occur because the hair curls back into the face itself. This is why a shaving brush is needed to brush over the curled hairs to straighten them. The following article will detail a few steps to rid shaving bumps on black men with one easy solution the shaving brush.

Step 1
To use a shaving brush to get rid of shaving bumps you'll first need to pick one up at the local beauty supply store. You can also do some research online for a shaving brush so you know what your looking for too. Choose a shaving brush that is not too soft, but coarse enough that it can be used on the hair on your head. The shaving brush should be in the style of a wave brush.

Step 2
Right after you shave you should be using alcohol that says 90% not the usual 50%. This can be found near the pharmacy counter. When you use it be careful not to hold it on your face to long because it will cause skin burns. Don't use any type of after shave or cream, these will only clog your hair follicles which makes shaving bumps appear.

Step 3
To use the shaving brush and have the best effect you can't shave everyday. The shaving brush must be used when hair is present on your face. The shaving brush is mainly used to retrain the facial hair to lay instead of curl.

Step 4
Before you start to use the shaving brush wait 2 days well past the 5 o'clock shadow phase. Now for the next 3 days use the shaving brush to brush the hairs on your face at least three times a day. The shaving brush will pull out any hairs that are starting or have curled over into the skin.

Step 5
Remember I know it may be rough getting used to using the shaving brush and this routine but it works. You might not like looking a little ruff from not shaving but it will be worth it to not having shaving bumps everywhere.

Step 6
A few other things to remember using the shaving brush is to wash your face everyday. Always change your pillow case every few days also. When you feel your face start to itch this is a single to grab your shaving brush because there is a hair that is curling into the skin.

Step 7
Right before you do shave grab your shaving brush and go over your facial hair with it. Regardless to what you heard about prewetting the skin don't do it. This is why you use the shaving brush prior to starting to shave. Wetting will soften and curl the hair and will void the effects of the shaving brush. Shaving cream can be used but not water and only shave one half of your face at a time.

Step 8
Inclosing before you start shopping for your shaving brush there are a few other thing to understand about your skin. While the shaving brush is a great tool to use you should look into using different razors also. A little know fact is black men's skin is it doesn't mix well with shavers that have blades made of a metal called nickel. So do some searching for ones that have stainless steel blades in them while looking for a shaving brush also.

For $40 per week, a family of four can eat several McDonalds' dollar value meals; cheap food that is filling and addictive but not very healthy. Yet fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and chicken can be too pricey for a family on a tight budget. The challenge - to devise a healthy, balanced menu for $40 that will feed a family of four!

It can be done with a little work, preparation, and time. Shop at produce and ethnic stores over big name grocery stores. Although stores like Aldi can be inexpensive, they do not carry a wide variety of fresh produce; instead offering unhealthier canned, boxed and processed foods.

Plan menus ahead of time, checking on-line for prices and specials. Choose a couple of menu items, such as soups and stews, that can be made in large batches to stretch over several meals. And prepare a large salad, resplendent with a variety of vegetables, to use as an accompaniment for dinner and a main course for lunch.

At some grocery stores you can buy several items, including protein, dairy, and a variety of vegetables and fruits, for just over $40 and stretch it to cover 3 meals daily for a week! Check out some shopping list, menu, and recipes at http://www.dailyappleforhealth.com. The menu included a delicious Baked Polenta with vegetables, Butternut Squash soup, Chicken Chili, and Minestrone soup.

Most prepackaged meat and chicken offers serving sizes that are much bigger than needed. Portion sizes of protein should be 3 to 4 ounces or the size of a deck of cards. Instead, fill your plate with more vegetables and whole grains.
This shopping plan does not include any expensive, sugary desserts and snacks; instead, use fruits and vegetables. Celery sticks with peanut butter make a great energy boost. Grilled pineapple and baked pears star as sumptious and healthy desserts.

The long term costs of eating cheap, unhealthy food are tremendous, resulting in obesity and chronic lifestyle diseases. Optimize your family's health on a budget and live a better life!

Low-budget documentary Food Inc has become the shock DVD hit of 2010, even outselling Michael Jackson's This Is It.

The film, which exposes the cruel treatment of animals at the hands of big business, is one of the most disturbing releases you will see all year.

Eric Schlosser, the author of best-selling junk food exposé Fast Food Nation, is one of the experts featured in the film.

He says: "Most people think their food still comes from a little farm with a red barn and white picket fence. If they really saw where it comes from, they'd be shocked."

The documentary, out here on Friday, reveals how chickens in the US are raised and slaughtered in just 49 days. That is half the time it took to raise a chicken 50 years ago - yet they are twice as big as the birds in 1950 when killed.

Eric, 49, adds: "People like white meat so chickens have been re-engineered to have bigger breasts. The chickens never see sunlight.

"It is an assembly line with mass production. A lot of the internal organs and bones can't keep up with the rate of growth, so many of the chickens can only take a few steps and then they fall down." The film, which has been nominated in the Best Documentary category in next month's Oscars - includes footage showing what happens inside the biggest cattle yards in the US.

Cows are seen wading through their own manure. Many are fattened on corn instead of grass, and farmers force-feed them antibiotics.

Eric warns: "This could be a preview of coming 'attractions' for the UK. We filmed a gigantic pig-processing plant in North Carolina - but huge plants are already opening in Eastern Europe and shipping to the UK."

Monsanto - one of the food giants criticised - says the film "demonises American farmers and the agriculture system responsible for feeding more than 300million people and presents an unrealistic view".

But just four firms produce 80 per cent of the beef in the US, and the country has only 13 slaughterhouses. The Smithfield processing plant in North Carolina - the world's largest - kills more than 32,000 pigs a day.

Stella McCartney was among the stars who attended the film's London premiere last night. The vegetarian clothes designer said: "This is information everyone should have. It is terrifying and empowering."

Scientists have kept the secret to strong bones bottled up for years. Now, a new study has raised the bar on the list of nutrients that could have benefits.

A new study shows beer is rich in the mineral silicon. Researchers said that learning which parts of our diet have high concentrations of silicon may be key to preventing osteoporosis.

"Animals that are deprived of silicon have poorly developed skeletons and the muscular system is also poorly developed," Hebrew Rehabilitation Center's Dr. Douglas Kiel said.

The study found that men get up to 33 percent more silicon in their diet than women. The source for men ahead of most of the others is beer, researchers said.
As for women, the highest dietary sources included green beans, cereal and mineral water.

But it's the grain in beer that appears to provide an easily absorbable form of silicon. Boston Beerworks Brewmaster Herb Lindtveit said that locally micro-brewed varieties have the purest grains, but any beer will do.

"All beers have some barley in them," Lindveit said. "The enzymes in the grain actually convert some of the starches into sugars and the sugars are what ferment to create the beer."

Others agree that this recent research is refreshing. But some warn the real benefit is in the combination of nutrients, such as calcium, and vitamins D and K.
"Silicon is not a magic bullet in bone health. It's just another key player in this effect that helps us have healthy bones," Tufts Nutrition School's Dr. Ann McDermott said.

So keep drinking that milk. But raise your glass to a new ally for an old ale-ment.
Non-alcoholic beer also is made from barley, so there is reason to suspect it also would be a good source. The study appears in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Okay, so you've planned the game festivities: Now, the night. But before you get the Remy, read this:

The old saying “You are what you eat” is very much true and definitely affects how you taste down there. This isn’t just advice for the ladies. Men can also change how their body chemistry tastes and smells through their diet. Here’s a guide to which foods to eat and which ones to avoid:

Things You Should Eat:

Lots of Water
Pineapple, papaya, cranberry, melon, apples and grapes
Cinnamon, cardamom, peppermint and lemon
Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits
3 Most Underrated Sex Positions

Things To Avoid:

Alcohol
Caffiene
Nicotine and illegal drugs
Red meat
Garlic
Fish
Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and asparagus
Dairy
Junk Food (preservatives!)

If you’re hosting a Superbowl party this Sunday, here are some quick tips to make your day stress free and allow you to enjoy the game.
* Make food satisfying and yet easy to prepare, serve, and eat. That means lots of finger foods, simple to nibble between rolls of the die, and a hearty main course to provide sustenance as game goes on. With a few pantry staples, party food can be prepared quickly and easily.

* Assemble snacks on a tray for easy shuttling between the kitchen and the game-viewing area and then back again. Appetizers arranged and presented on trays with raised edges minimizes messes.

* Is your party potluck? Ask those guests who like to cook to bring offerings that can be dispensed directly from the serving dish. Have non-cooks bring snacks or drinks.

* Snacks such as celery and carrots can be prepared ahead. Store them submerged in ice water to keep them crunchy; blot with a paper towel before serving.

DON'T SAY I NEVER GAVE YALL NOTHING!!!

Hooters’s Buffalo Wings

Prep. Time: 1:45

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. black pepper
20 chicken wing segments
1/2 cup butter OR margarine
1/2 cup hot sauce (see Notes, below)

-In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and peppers.
-Coat chicken entirely in the flour mixture; refrigerate coated wings for 1 hour; coat chicken again with remaining flour mixture.
-In a 2-quart saucepan, heat butter and hot sauce just until butter melts; turn heat to low and keep warm on stove top.
-Deep-fry chicken, 8 – 10 pieces at a time, in 375 degree oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil) for 13 minutes, turning once or twice.
-Drain chicken on a wire cooling rack for 30 seconds, then immediately toss fried chicken in buffalo sauce mixture and remove with a slotted spoon.
-Repeat with remaining chicken.

Adjusting the spiciness of the sauce: As is, the recipe produces a medium sauce. To change the amount of spiciness, simply adjust the butter-to-hot sauce-ratio:
Mild: Use 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup hot sauce.
Hot: Use 1/4 cup butter and 3/4 cup hot sauce.

Q: I am a single woman who recently ended a relationship because of infidelity. After the breakup, I noticed that I began having cold sores on my mouth. Afraid of what may have caused them, I never went to see a doctor or even tell my family. But I feel like it's more to it and am scared to know what it is. Help! (Worried in Joliet, IL)

A: Well Worried in Joliet, what you have encountered is one of two infections. Herpes simplex viruses -- more commonly known as herpes -- are categorized into two types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Although HSV-2 sores may occur in other locations, these sores usually are found below the waist.

What Causes Herpes Infections and Outbreaks?
Herpes simplex type 1, which is transmitted through oral secretions or sores on the skin, can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrushes or eating utensils. In general, a person can only get herpes type 2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. It is important to know that both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread even if sores are not present.

Pregnant women with genital herpes should talk to their doctor as genital herpes can be passed on to the baby during childbirth.

For many people with the herpes virus, attacks (or outbreaks) of herpes can be brought on by the following conditions:

General illness (from mild illnesses to serious conditions)
Fatigue
Physical or emotional stress
Immunosuppression due to AIDS or such medications as chemotherapy or steroids
Trauma to the affected area, including sexual activity
Menstruation
What Are the Symptoms of Herpes Simplex?
Symptoms of herpes simplex virus typically appear as a blister or as multiple blisters on or around affected areas -- usually the mouth, genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender sores.

How Is Herpes Simplex Diagnosed?
Often, the appearance of herpes simplex virus is typical and no testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. If a health care provider is uncertain, herpes simplex can be diagnosed with laboratory tests, including DNA tests and virus cultures.

How Is Herpes Simplex Treated?
Although there is no cure for herpes, treatments can relieve the symptoms. Medication can decrease the pain related to an outbreak and can shorten healing time. They can also decrease the total number of outbreaks. Drugs including Famvir, Zovirax and Valtrex are among the medications used to treat the symptoms of herpes. Warm baths may relieve the pain associated with genital sores.

How Painful Is Herpes Simplex?
Some people experience very mild genital herpes symptoms or no symptoms at all. Frequently, people infected with the virus don't even know they have it. However, when it causes symptoms, it can be described as extremely painful. This is especially true for the first outbreak, which is often the worse. Outbreaks are described as aches or pains in or around the genital area or burning, pain, or difficulty urinating. Some people experience discharge from the vagina or penis.

Oral herpes lesions (cold sores) usually cause tingling and burning just prior to the breakout of the blisters. The blisters themselves can also be painful.

Can Herpes Be Cured?
There is no cure for herpes simplex. Once a person has the virus, it remains in the body. The virus lies inactive in the nerve cells until something triggers it to become active again.


If you have a question, please email "Tha Doc" at sitonthacouch@gmail.com. All personal information will be kept strictly confidential.

Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder and philanthropist, is to make the largest ever single charitable donation with a pledge of $10 billion for vaccine work over the next decade, it was announced Friday.

Gates said that he hoped the coming 10 years will be the decade of the vaccine to reduce dramatically child mortality in the world’s poorest countries. It is calculated that his pledge alone could save more than eight million lives.

Announcing the commitment, which far outstrips even the enormous previous donations by his own foundation, Gates called for increased investment in vaccines by governments and the private sector to help research, develop and deliver vaccines.

"We must make this the decade of vaccines," Mr Gates said. "Vaccines already save and improve millions of lives in developing countries. Innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before."

Gates and his wife, Melinda, made their announcement at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos, where they were joined by Julian Lob-Levyt, the head of the vaccine consortium the GAVI Alliance.

"Vaccines are a miracle - with just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime," Melinda Gates said. "We’ve made vaccines our number-one priority at the Gates Foundation because we’ve seen firsthand their incredible impact on children's lives."

Among the infections to be targeted with the money are rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea, and pneumococcal disease, which causes pneumonia, blood poisoning, and a form of meningitis.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has used a model developed by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to project the potential impact of vaccines on childhood deaths over the next 10 years.

By significantly scaling up the delivery of life-saving vaccines in developing countries to 90 percent coverage - including the new vaccines to prevent severe diarrhea and pneumonia - the model suggests that the deaths of 7.6 million children under 5 could be prevented between now and 2019.

It also estimates that an additional 1.1 million children could be saved with the rapid introduction of a malaria vaccine beginning in 2014.

Gates said that if additional vaccines are developed and introduced in this decade - such as for tuberculosis - even more lives could be saved.

The new funding is in addition to the $4.5 billion that the Gates Foundation has already committed to vaccine research, development and delivery over the last 10 years.

A large portion of the money is expected to go to the GAVI Alliance, which was launched at the World Economic Forum 10 years ago this week. To date GAVI, which focuses on public private partnerships, has reached 257 million additional children with new and underused vaccines, and prevented 5 million deaths.