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Trenta?!

24 Jan

Starbucks came up with a new size  - TRENTA! At 916 ml (31 fl oz), it’s a whopping 325 ml bigger than their current largest size, Venti (626 ml, 20 fl oz), and larger than the average human stomach capacity.  Does anyone else think this is crazy?

Thanks to the Huffington Post (and my friend, Peter, for sending me the article), here’s a comparison of the new Trenta size to Starbuck’s current sizes.


I’m not a Starbucks junkie, but I’ll admit that I’m often there (usually when I’m on the road, need wifi and have some time to kill) and find that they have some great options.  But this may be a bit too much. (more…)

how much do you know about healthcare reform?

15 Jan

A colleague shared this video with me months ago, but I just got around to watching it this weekend.  It’s a great summary of the how the health reform law passed in 2010 really works, what’s already changed, and what’s coming in 2014. 

Health Reform Hits Main Street – Kaiser Health Reform.

Written and produced by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Narrated by Cokie Roberts, a news commentator for ABC News and NPR and a member of Kaiser’s Board of Trustees. Creative production and animation by Free Range Studios.

warrior of change

9 Jan

Sambazon, in partnership with Off The Mat, Into The World®, is launching the Warrior of Change Contest as part of its Warrior Up Campaign – a celebration of individuals and organizations that strive to make the world a better place and inspire others to do the same.

My friend Ruthi is a finalist in the Warrior of Change Contest.  She could win $10,000 for her organization, SuperFood Drive, so please VOTE!

Ruthi Solari, Nutritionist and Corporate Wellness Professional, founded SuperFood Drive in January 2009 in San Diego.  Fueled by a passion for healthy eating and seeing an opportunity in food drives, Ruthi began working with food banks around the city to get nutritious food to the less fortunate.  She helped the San Diego Food Bank develop healthier versions of their 10 most needed food lists and soon found herself as an incorporated non-profit with volunteer staff.

Here’s what Ruthi has to say:

My purpose in life is to help as many people as possible to lead vibrant, healthy lives. I am incredibly passionate about healthy eating. I believe that my food is my medicine and with this knowledge, I want to ensure that all people to have access to healthy foods.

Mission of SuperFood Drive:
Giving the Gift of Health by providing nutrient dense non-perishable food items to populations in need.

Vision
SuperFood Drive seeks to transform local food drives, national food banks and global humanitarian aid into providers of nutrient-dense non-perishable SuperFoods. By educating both the givers and receivers of non-perishable SuperFood items, we promote health and wellbeing to individuals and their communities.

Ruthi is an amazing and inspirational young woman. I am constantly in awe of her achievements, abilities, intelligence, beauty and grace and she definitely deserves this award. Please VOTE!  For more, check out SuperFood Drive and Sambazon Warrior of Change.

Abortion: Never a Fun Story

11 Jan

In For Privacy’s Sake, Taking Risks to End Pregnancy, Amalia Dominguez recounts how she used ulcer medication to induce an abortion.  The practice, along with homemade potions like mixes of malted beverages and aspirin, is common in the Latina population.  There are several other techniques, passed down from families and friends that women turn to more readily than formal healthcare systems.  Read the article; it’s well written and helps highlight the social and cultural factors that influence the way that women access healthcare.

I couldn’t help getting upset after reading this article. Women go to great lengths to discreetly end pregnancies in cultures with conservative beliefs and many of the practices they turn to put their own lives at risk. Abortion is not a fun topic to discuss and I may be crossing a line here for some people (feel free to add comments – I’d love to hear what you think), but this is less about abortion and more about how we value women. (more…)

Smoking: There’s Never Good News

3 Jan

no_smoking_sign1

Yesterday’s New York Times article on third-hand smoke highlights yet another danger of smoking: “the invisible yet toxic brew of gases and particles clinging to smokers’ hair and clothing…that lingers long after smoke has cleared from a room…[which] includes heavy metals, carcinogens and even radioactive materials.” So that’s what that stale smell is!

Researchers at MassGeneral Hospital for Children came up with the term “third-hand smoke” in their study that examined the attitude toward smoking in households across the United States. Most people understand the health risks of second-hand smoke, but few know the risks of third-hand smoke.  The study specifically points out the danger to infants and children, but I’m pretty sure it can’t be good for adults.

I have lots of friends who smoke and I’m usually not bothered by it.  But when I read something like this, I can’t help but think about my exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke and wonder if it’s having an adverse effect on my health.  If I’m getting all the bad stuff by hanging out with smokers anyways, what’s the point in not smoking?  I believe in an individual’s freedom to choose to smoke, but when you’re affecting those you live with and around, does it become more than that?  Just another thing to be aware of and think about, I guess.

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