What to do about those red meat chemicals

<span style="font-size: large;">    New research links a naturally occurring substance fou<span style="font-size: large;">nd in red meat and egg yo<span style="font-size: large;">l<span style="font-size: large;">ks<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(choline), to heart diseas<span style="font-size: large;">e and heart attack.  The substance is che<span style="font-size: large;">mically altered when <span style="font-size: large;">stomach bacteria<span style="font-size: large;"> break it down.  The <span style="font-size: large;">substance becom<span style="font-size: large;">es trimethylamine<span style="font-size: large;">-N-<span style="font-size: large;">ox<span style="font-size: large;">ide or TMAO.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   <span style="font-size: large;">Without going into the details of the rese<span style="font-size: large;">arch, which appears plaus<span style="font-size: large;">ible (likely to be true), people w<span style="font-size: large;">ith high levels of TMAO in their blood stream are<span style="font-size: large;"> more likely to have heart disease and adve<span style="font-size: large;">rse hea<span style="font-size: large;">lth outcomes related to i<span style="font-size: large;">t</span> (i.e., heart attack).  <span style="font-size: large;">This research adds to the conversation about red meat, saturated fat and adverse health.  Maybe it is the choline and <span style="font-size: large;">the metabolism of it and not saturated fat that causes <span style="font-size: large;">health</span> problems.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   <span style="font-size: large;">Does this mean you cannot <span style="font-size: large;">eat <span style="font-size: large;">red meat or whole eggs?  NO.  <span style="font-size: large;">Does it mean that eating red meat <u>ca</u><span style="font-size: large;"><u>uses</u> heart disease?  NO<span style="font-size: large;">.  But it does show that the more red meat (<span style="font-size: large;">and eg<span style="font-size: large;">gs I suppose) that a person consumes the greater their risk of heart disease (as found when looking at average<span style="font-size: large;">s for</span> <span style="font-size: large;">whole gro<span style="font-size: large;">ups of people).  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">    The reason I am blogging about it <span style="font-size: large;">today is <span style="font-size: large;">beca<span style="font-size: large;">use after thestudy was released, <span style="font-size: large;">drug companies started <span style="font-size: large;">working on a <span style="font-size: large;">pi<span style="font-size: large;">ll that would change the<span style="font-size: large;"> way cho<span style="font-size: large;">line is </span>di<span style="font-size: large;">gested<span style="font-size: large;"> or that would prevent T<span style="font-size: large;">MAO from accumulati<span style="font-size: large;">ng</span></span>.  In other words, the drug<span style="font-size: large;"> compan<span style="font-size: large;">ies immediately began working <span style="font-size: large;">on a way to <b>treat</b> a problem that could easi<span style="font-size: large;">ly be <b>pr</b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>evented</b>.  Eat LESS red meat for goodness sakes, pills are not the answer.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

What to do about those red meat chemicals

    New research links a naturally occurring substance fou nd in red meat and egg yo l ks (choline), to heart diseas e and heart attack.  T...

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Learned Food Preferences

<span style="font-size: large;">   Our food likes and dislikes are learned at early ages and these preferences, once instilled, are hard to change.</span>  <span style="font-size: large;">It is especially hard to change when you are as old as the Cookie Monster (He is 40 something<span style="font-size: large;">).  <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   Kee<span style="font-size: large;">p this information in mind when<span style="font-size: large;"> you are <span style="font-size: large;">responsible<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> for feeding <span style="font-size: large;">children (whether i<span style="font-size: large;">ts </span>every day, as a parent; some days, as a school or restaurant chef; or<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span></span>holidays <span style="font-size: large;">and special <span style="font-size: large;">visits, as a <span style="font-size: large;">relative</span></span></span>).  You can make a difference in their preferences- well you <b>will </b>make one,  I just ho<span style="font-size: large;">pe it's<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>positive</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9GaUeeFeq4pcaowu9IN7mKZIWPC0ZjxYlMIUJfQHPm566OxehN889g_fc_2h3ZmQUaCT7efyv7duDJjGxHAtbQvQAyfguAwfLfCRkBuffTBjA5jl2hbb-hYN3tiKseRAocfaQqIIIziC/s1600/cookie+monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9GaUeeFeq4pcaowu9IN7mKZIWPC0ZjxYlMIUJfQHPm566OxehN889g_fc_2h3ZmQUaCT7efyv7duDJjGxHAtbQvQAyfguAwfLfCRkBuffTBjA5jl2hbb-hYN3tiKseRAocfaQqIIIziC/s400/cookie+monster.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't Let this Happen to Your Kids!</span> (ha ha )</td></tr></tbody></table><br />

Learned Food Preferences

   Our food likes and dislikes are learned at early ages and these preferences, once instilled, are hard to change.   It is especially hard ...

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Does Information Make It Easy?

<span style="font-size: large;">   This past Mond<span style="font-size: large;">ay, the Huffington Post ran an article on menu labeli<span style="font-size: large;">ng that w<span style="font-size: large;">as writ<span style="font-size: large;">ten by two former USDA secretaries.  The<span style="font-size: large;">y were <span style="font-size: large;">writing in support of the mandate found in the Af<span style="font-size: large;">fordable Care Act that requires restaur<span style="font-size: large;">ant chains and similar establish<span style="font-size: large;">ments to post the cal<span style="font-size: large;">orie contents of their items o<span style="font-size: large;">n menus and men<span style="font-size: large;">u board.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   The s<span style="font-size: large;">ecretaries, Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman were <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">specifically</span> speaking to the debate over s<span style="font-size: large;">im<span style="font-size: large;">ilar <span style="font-size: large;">establishments, and as I have <span style="font-size: large;">suggested</span> here, they urged the FDA to <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">include movie theat<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">er</span>s in the ma<span style="font-size: large;">ndate.  They<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>also called for supermarket inclusion and alluded to sports aren<span style="font-size: large;">as, but did not mention bo<span style="font-size: large;">wl<span style="font-size: large;">ing alleys.  <span style="font-size: large;">They appeared to be in support of having all of the venues<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">included because they<span style="font-size: large;"> spoke of co<span style="font-size: large;">nsumers being able to compare items no matter where t<span style="font-size: large;">hey were ch<span style="font-size: large;">oosing them.  The<span style="font-size: large;">y said that the regulation<span style="font-size: large;">s should be <span style="font-size: large;">"<span style="font-size: large;">inclusive."  They also said<span style="font-size: large;">, and here is where <span style="font-size: large;">I disagree, <span style="font-size: large;">that having information available at all locations will <i>make the health<span style="font-size: large;">y choice the easy choice.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">    Though it is necessary to<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>have information to make a<span style="font-size: large;">n informed ch<span style="font-size: large;">oice and information is necessary to make one <span style="font-size: large;"></span>that me<span style="font-size: large;">ets your values, having it does not make the healthy choice easy.  Why not? <span style="font-size: large;">Beca<span style="font-size: large;">use i<span style="font-size: large;">nformation is only<span style="font-size: large;"> one fac<span style="font-size: large;">tor that <span style="font-size: large;">goes into <span style="font-size: large;">food </span>decisions and if survey research is <span style="font-size: large;">corre<span style="font-size: large;">ct, it is not the n<span style="font-size: large;">umber one or even number two factor<span style="font-size: large;"> in <span style="font-size: large;">this choice.  Along side those <span style="font-size: large;">lower c<span style="font-size: large;">al<span style="font-size: large;">orie items<span style="font-size: large;"> (on that menu)</span> a<span style="font-size: large;">re the che<span style="font-size: large;">aper ones and the more palatable ones(high sat fat and sugar).  In order <span style="font-size: large;">for th<span style="font-size: large;">e healthy choice to truly be easy, we have to do so<span style="font-size: large;">mething<span style="font-size: large;"> about</span></span> the unheal<span style="font-size: large;">thy choice<span style="font-size: large;">.  We have to </span>find a way to make it LESS desirable.  (raise the <span style="font-size: large;">price <span style="font-size: large;">or <span style="font-size: large;">limit the <span style="font-size: large;">advertising for instance</span>)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

Does Information Make It Easy?

   This past Mond ay, the Huffington Post ran an article on menu labeli ng that w as writ ten by two former USDA secretaries.  The y were wr...

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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">The children of muskaan are grateful to </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Elisabetta </span></b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mollica</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> and her friends -</span></b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sholley</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Gweu Bzugger</span></b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Snehal</span></b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Anita Shekhar</span><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">, and</span></b><br /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Holly Lakser</span></b><br /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">for their help towards Muskaan.</b></span></div>

The children of muskaan are grateful to Elisabetta  Mollica and her friends - Sholley Gweu Bzugger Snehal Anita Shekhar , and Holly Lakser ...

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WE NEED YOUR HELPING HAND FOR THESE 26 NEW GIRLS OF MUSKAAN

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkaZDJ-y56YiEoGGbtap2IodLTrPZzSG-xI-f1xfL6Z96QmA67JLhWkHpa-EI-YTPg4t_CM1dPPN0TwfVExhpvgqKABHT29HDGRZ3rV9wDTjYseRdq1VoS5Sm-tGD-JU_h3kHCNY61iab/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkaZDJ-y56YiEoGGbtap2IodLTrPZzSG-xI-f1xfL6Z96QmA67JLhWkHpa-EI-YTPg4t_CM1dPPN0TwfVExhpvgqKABHT29HDGRZ3rV9wDTjYseRdq1VoS5Sm-tGD-JU_h3kHCNY61iab/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;"><b>We need vaccines. medicines, clothes, shoes and educational material for these smiling ANGELS</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoR1WGPYwAVzCd4VirZnA_DrFvV_Q0cJpQYWUSQF1E2G05zT0J9KwuXDwpDVQ_5U-Klhi3YqmJDCMiDfT3FHa8N0Hg3HPHYQvzezQAsL1H8RJZYLQQT6d0HKMTUblObKOByERwln6k9Ds/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoR1WGPYwAVzCd4VirZnA_DrFvV_Q0cJpQYWUSQF1E2G05zT0J9KwuXDwpDVQ_5U-Klhi3YqmJDCMiDfT3FHa8N0Hg3HPHYQvzezQAsL1H8RJZYLQQT6d0HKMTUblObKOByERwln6k9Ds/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Anyone who can help us, please do contact us</span></b></span></div><br /></div>

WE NEED YOUR HELPING HAND FOR THESE 26 NEW GIRLS OF MUSKAAN

We need vaccines. medicines, clothes, shoes and educational material for these smiling ANGELS Anyone who can help us, please do contact us

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You made us proud !!!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">We are happy to share that our girls of Muskaan have passed their school exams with flying colours.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000;">Most of them have topped in their classes. Even they themselves couldn't believe it!!!!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Our special thanks to all the teachers and volunteers for their effort.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="color: #134f5c; font-style: italic;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Thanks to the effort of our donors from India and abroad.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Without your help, we wouldn't have achieved this result.</span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUrXkon8IwmCwIteItTaZ-j3Exq3ys7XDm_5ZPPcaReM-0zoWc5zptFvIJ_TZBdwY4HcID4drJ8h58j94ikERmd3paipR93Ux3-6oFOKSOHGcPb8_-m56v62-oTf6pc083CVcH_Qu-bSW/s1600/pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUrXkon8IwmCwIteItTaZ-j3Exq3ys7XDm_5ZPPcaReM-0zoWc5zptFvIJ_TZBdwY4HcID4drJ8h58j94ikERmd3paipR93Ux3-6oFOKSOHGcPb8_-m56v62-oTf6pc083CVcH_Qu-bSW/s640/pass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>

You made us proud !!!

We are happy to share that our girls of Muskaan have passed their school exams with flying colours. Most of them have topped in their classe...

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Thank you Rameshwar Arora!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ18iakibSRaDFHOFPtMWCdQLTvO1crGBj2cPt0W-h63yyVX6uqIPz0R6CqPK1bMdSiPNN8-UWsQHF1pBSHAKgIFABLAGr5wI7eSSCvVKvxhb4ibPDt7o4tjsGng4t90uRkqmb0tWGCnQ7/s1600/clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ18iakibSRaDFHOFPtMWCdQLTvO1crGBj2cPt0W-h63yyVX6uqIPz0R6CqPK1bMdSiPNN8-UWsQHF1pBSHAKgIFABLAGr5wI7eSSCvVKvxhb4ibPDt7o4tjsGng4t90uRkqmb0tWGCnQ7/s640/clothes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Thank you </span><span style="color: #741b47;">Rameshwar Arora</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"> and his colleagues from </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">McKinsey & Company</span><span style="color: #0c343d;"> for donating clothes for the people of Hauz Khas Village</span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #0c343d; line-height: 18px;">The people are grateful for your effort. :)</span></b></span></div>

Thank you Rameshwar Arora!

Thank you Rameshwar Arora and his colleagues from McKinsey & Company for donating clothes for the people of Hauz Khas Village The peop...

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Loles Monzonis from Indian Girls visited Muskaan with her husband and friends

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZtSY4v3CwmPvlQxcEEQX-KanWMqtz25jwQYP3ybKCkORm-rdUJNXRvTNhQl_zUOtIxpHvLdE489yTfsh_kzdOEv5ox2Mt2XK1UhNzoMpSFRnwVcYhE3020Qe0qadITlJk2G1g_4Pcesp/s1600/z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZtSY4v3CwmPvlQxcEEQX-KanWMqtz25jwQYP3ybKCkORm-rdUJNXRvTNhQl_zUOtIxpHvLdE489yTfsh_kzdOEv5ox2Mt2XK1UhNzoMpSFRnwVcYhE3020Qe0qadITlJk2G1g_4Pcesp/s640/z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>

Loles Monzonis from Indian Girls visited Muskaan with her husband and friends

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Kristy Nuttall and Breanne Simpson at Muskaan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-E6JaBvshipaA-pf7TwsnyZQzAxjyCa4zZiOuCd9uGfuYD4hUoPfuR-EPcs5XPLHG2_4JkzXPw3Rv8oU6MYt5GZONA60qvfaagV1VTS_rFJIz01s5EgaU5d9eSxPUzKUn2hgN5ej32Hj/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-E6JaBvshipaA-pf7TwsnyZQzAxjyCa4zZiOuCd9uGfuYD4hUoPfuR-EPcs5XPLHG2_4JkzXPw3Rv8oU6MYt5GZONA60qvfaagV1VTS_rFJIz01s5EgaU5d9eSxPUzKUn2hgN5ej32Hj/s400/a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpGNk6uxd0tQPLh-drV1OZrIn-27Yk_ANuY6qnlSSV-IoCVLHInfaC1PF6GJnwbjbmVeb-TJLiSXHCTjTAQv5pqyiZOgV0Iokipqz2yQl0HnO8lOM_zgMAvrwy9Ouy_HqAzWozKdnpxt0/s1600/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpGNk6uxd0tQPLh-drV1OZrIn-27Yk_ANuY6qnlSSV-IoCVLHInfaC1PF6GJnwbjbmVeb-TJLiSXHCTjTAQv5pqyiZOgV0Iokipqz2yQl0HnO8lOM_zgMAvrwy9Ouy_HqAzWozKdnpxt0/s400/c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;">Isaac teaching the children</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZKYPuf6JrgCmp59qNwDG0gHogOPGNBRO3Nj2SumJTxADGQ6phFocK4tlEjthITKNk2Gajo5BHnwWyTEoV51FzCim5oHqm1gTlE7LMb7PgmZNNmhO1Cvlss_kOf4jcEexCueC1Es5Q8gQ/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZKYPuf6JrgCmp59qNwDG0gHogOPGNBRO3Nj2SumJTxADGQ6phFocK4tlEjthITKNk2Gajo5BHnwWyTEoV51FzCim5oHqm1gTlE7LMb7PgmZNNmhO1Cvlss_kOf4jcEexCueC1Es5Q8gQ/s400/d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Kristy's boys donating their toys to our girls</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIcGTRHxPm3DOvFyhISpOuh8gIkfapmevlQRvkcxAIAooPM2xTaUQ4Bt9Voyo9qNuM5KjzZEb7ZotOFHeC2vAU0ojDYfiy6zcAXH6I3FAE2fJ7qBELN7Pieb6pxJjam0i_yPsGZwW0NL2/s1600/e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIcGTRHxPm3DOvFyhISpOuh8gIkfapmevlQRvkcxAIAooPM2xTaUQ4Bt9Voyo9qNuM5KjzZEb7ZotOFHeC2vAU0ojDYfiy6zcAXH6I3FAE2fJ7qBELN7Pieb6pxJjam0i_yPsGZwW0NL2/s400/e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Kristy said, " Thank you for letting us come. It was such a nice learning opportunity for my boys."</i></b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRiKW5vd5cTBvg7gvrmAItOlHluYIy6ApfBz6-eyOZriDlGgiN4oKnhW8DBmelNxF71Q14Z5kggrOJO7A10x-dbx5PeAkmJv8HGCZwIjZpT40TItINYcNSJK7TwlhFO6eHJbwpn_-KihY/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRiKW5vd5cTBvg7gvrmAItOlHluYIy6ApfBz6-eyOZriDlGgiN4oKnhW8DBmelNxF71Q14Z5kggrOJO7A10x-dbx5PeAkmJv8HGCZwIjZpT40TItINYcNSJK7TwlhFO6eHJbwpn_-KihY/s400/g.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: small;"><b>Isaac with his brothers</b></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVRMRne_evR4eRrWnkGLlsAVH8iR-cNXycCjxfmkQaLLm5G6eFRnz335k82I8adyfnjoR7XxIWFKxBqBeKOGVWCigN2tTFzVorzwDKpsUm8FFYNLA51hz7Dr3euFgbmUUtvSqajVbaHVQ/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVRMRne_evR4eRrWnkGLlsAVH8iR-cNXycCjxfmkQaLLm5G6eFRnz335k82I8adyfnjoR7XxIWFKxBqBeKOGVWCigN2tTFzVorzwDKpsUm8FFYNLA51hz7Dr3euFgbmUUtvSqajVbaHVQ/s400/b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;">Kristy Nuttall and Breanne Simpson with the girls</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>

Kristy Nuttall and Breanne Simpson at Muskaan

Isaac teaching the children Kristy's boys donating their toys to our girls Kristy said, " Thank you for letting us come. It was suc...

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How Drug Stores Profit with Free Meds

<span style="font-size: large;">  According to the CDC, half of  all adults in the USA have at least one chronic disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, 92% of older adults (I do not know what age, but lets assume over 65) have at least one chronic disease and a disturbing 77% have at least two.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">  Chronic disease include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and some lung conditions.  These are often preventable.  Lifestyle factors that increase the ris<span style="font-size: large;">k of these conditions</span> are physical inactivity, being overweight, poor diet, and smoking.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   I have noticed that many pharmacies, like the one at my local grocery store, offer FREE generic diabetes medication.  I imagine that this is because they will make money when they charge customers for all their other medications (because so many <span style="font-size: large;">of them </span>have mor<span style="font-size: large;">e than one disease)</span>.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   I know people who say that they want to eat what they like (and as much as they like), that they are "fat and happy" and <span style="font-size: large;">t</span>hat they don't care to exercise.  Some <span style="font-size: large;">of them</span> get upset with people like me who support governmental policies that encourage dietary moderation (rest<span style="font-size: large;">raint)</span> and try to reduce the amount of time people spend sitting. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">  But in the end, I am just trying to save them  <i>money</i>  and increase their healthy, active years of living.  Though I could put the drug companies out of business if everyone listened to me!.  </span>

How Drug Stores Profit with Free Meds

  According to the CDC, half of  all adults in the USA have at least one chronic disease.  According to the National Council on Aging, 92% o...

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Decision Making Models

<span style="font-size: large;">For one of my classes<span style="font-size: large;"> t</span>his past week, I read<span style="font-size: large;"> some research articles on school vouche<span style="font-size: large;">rs and school choice.  <span style="font-size: large;">Within<span style="font-size: large;"> this frame<span style="font-size: large;">work, there was a discussion about the use of information.  Here i<span style="font-size: large;">t was using information</span> to decide where to send a child to school.  <span style="font-size: large;">This goes beyo<span style="font-size: large;">n<span style="font-size: large;">d choosi<span style="font-size: large;">ng to move into a good school district, b<span style="font-size: large;">ecause not everyone has the power to do that.  Voucher programs are one way that parents who cannot live near a school that they like<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> can still have some options.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">    When voucher p<span style="font-size: large;">rog<span style="font-size: large;">r<span style="font-size: large;">ams are available the d<span style="font-size: large;">ecision making model assumes<span style="font-size: large;"> that parents will use informati<span style="font-size: large;">on a<span style="font-size: large;">bout the schools in the program to choose one that meets their personal values and <span style="font-size: large;">educational expectations</span> or preferences.  For example, a parent may be interested in <span style="font-size: large;">student teach<span style="font-size: large;">er ratio, the size of a class, the size of  a scho<span style="font-size: large;">ol, the cost (tuition not covered by t<span style="font-size: large;">he voucher), the <span style="font-size: large;">location, the academic history, the per<span style="font-size: large;">cent of student<span style="font-size: large;">s who graduate, the level of education of t<span style="font-size: large;">he teachers.. and so on and so forth.  A parent may even pr<span style="font-size: large;">ioritize their list of preferences. <span style="font-size: large;">In addition, what a parent feels is a quality of a good school, say student <span style="font-size: large;">teacher ratio<span style="font-size: large;">, is not likely to change from da<span style="font-size: large;">y to day <span style="font-size: large;">or wi<span style="font-size: large;">thin present company, or when they are feeling <span style="font-size: large;">bl<span style="font-size: large;">ue</span></span>.  It is  a time consistent and rational preference<span style="font-size: large;"> or val<span style="font-size: large;">ue.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">    The research on school vouchers tends to sh<span style="font-size: large;">ow th<span style="font-size: large;">at just having a choice increase<span style="font-size: large;">s a parent's<span style="font-size: large;"> satisfaction w<span style="font-size: large;">ith their child<span style="font-size: large;">'s s<span style="font-size: large;">chool.  Choic<span style="font-size: large;">e is important.  <span style="font-size: large;">Research also s<span style="font-size: large;">hows that children of motiv<span style="font-size: large;">ated parents do better <span style="font-size: large;">(regardl<span style="font-size: large;">ess of school or c<span style="font-size: large;">ho<span style="font-size: large;">ice</span></span>).  But important for me, <span style="font-size: large;">research also </span>sh<span style="font-size: large;">ows that a l<span style="font-size: large;">ot of the information needed to make a d<span style="font-size: large;">ecision is not availab<span style="font-size: large;">le, or is not readily available.  This leaves<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>less assertive, familiar or formid<span style="font-size: large;">a<span style="font-size: large;">ble parents u<span style="font-size: large;">nable </span>to go about get<span style="font-size: large;">ting the information.  Heck, they might not even know what makes a s<span style="font-size: large;">chool a good school because their educational experience was itself limited.  They <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">lack criteria to judge or s<span style="font-size: large;">el<span style="font-size: large;">ect/</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />  <span style="font-size: large;">In reading all of this, my mind w<span style="font-size: large;">ent constantly to decis<span style="font-size: large;">ion making at the poin<span style="font-size: large;">t <span style="font-size: large;">sale and food. (I have no childr<span style="font-size: large;">en, the school voucher i<span style="font-size: large;">ssue is not my battle!).  <span style="font-size: large;">Many p</span>eo<span style="font-size: large;">ple do not know what information is<span style="font-size: large;"> the most important</span> (calories<span style="font-size: large;">, sugar, fat, sodium, etc) needed to make a decision<span style="font-size: large;"> nor where to find that information.  P<span style="font-size: large;">eople who <i>have </i><span style="font-size: large;">determined that l<span style="font-size: large;">ow <i>cal</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>orie</i>, health<span style="font-size: large;">ier foods are their pre<span style="font-size: large;">fe<span style="font-size: large;">rence<span style="font-size: large;">, <span style="font-size: large;">may still change their m<span style="font-size: large;">ind<span style="font-size: large;"> according to <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">circumstance.  Food <span style="font-size: large;">de<span style="font-size: large;">cisions are <span style="font-size: large;">quite often irrati<span style="font-size: large;">o<span style="font-size: large;">nal and<span style="font-size: large;"> not time consistent.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   <span style="font-size: large;">This is more reason for menu labeling that is simple and in your face.  <span style="font-size: large;">Restaurant and similar establishments (ones that sell FOOD) shou<span style="font-size: large;">ld provide<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>calorie info, (and I think <span style="font-size: large;">s<span style="font-size: large;">at fat an<span style="font-size: large;">d sugar info)<span style="font-size: large;">, put those numbers in a cir<span style="font-size: large;">cle that is green, yel<span style="font-size: large;">low or red and remind people that what they eat today can effect their he<span style="font-size: large;">alth<span style="font-size: large;"> tomorrow.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

Decision Making Models

For one of my classes t his past week, I read some research articles on school vouche rs and school choice.  Within this frame work, ther...

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Red Meat Afoul Again?

<span style="font-size: large;">   The recent research suggesti<span style="font-size: large;">ng a link between</span> a chem<span style="font-size: large;">ical found in red meat and<span style="font-size: large;"> adverse health is important.  It should be considered in much the same way as research that suggest<span style="font-size: large;">s sat<span style="font-size: large;">urated fat is a health risk.  Something is going on and it<span style="font-size: large;"> makes sense to eat less red meat if you are currently eating it more than say... 3x a wee<span style="font-size: large;">k.  So<span style="font-size: large;">me<span style="font-size: large;">, like me, may choose to not eat it a<span style="font-size: large;">t all.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a vege<span style="font-size: large;">tarian, so to speak, <span style="font-size: large;">as I eat fish.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   When studying red meat consumption and health, the comparison group is <span style="font-size: large;">often vegetarians or vegans.  <span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, what science has no<span style="font-size: large;">t conc<span style="font-size: large;">luded is if there is something else a<span style="font-size: large;">bout people who are vegetarians, or someth<span style="font-size: large;">ing else about <span style="font-size: large;">the vegetarian diet that is protective for health.    <span style="font-size: large;">For ex<span style="font-size: large;">ample, if a vegetarian and a meat eater are both eating 1600 c<span style="font-size: large;">alories a day, <span style="font-size: large;">meat eaters have to be eating less of something that veget<span style="font-size: large;">ar<span style="font-size: large;">ians are eating <span style="font-size: large;">more of</span>.  Current theor<span style="font-size: large;">y is that the fiber rich diet of vegetarians may be <span style="font-size: large;">a key factor.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   In addition<span style="font-size: large;">, s<span style="font-size: large;">tudies often look at dose.  Vegetarians who eat no <span style="font-size: large;">red meat a<span style="font-size: large;">t a<span style="font-size: large;">ll are at one end of the co<span style="font-size: large;">ntinuum and</span><span style="font-size: large;"> h<span style="font-size: large;">eav<span style="font-size: large;">y meat eaters who consume 3 or more servings each day are at the other.  In either case, as the red meat con<span style="font-size: large;">sumption goes up, so does the chemic<span style="font-size: large;">al and th<span style="font-size: large;">e sat fat content, but something also goes down<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">.  <span style="font-size: large;">It is likely that <span style="font-size: large;">both conditions - t<span style="font-size: large;">oo mu<span style="font-size: large;">ch of one t<span style="font-size: large;">hing and too little of the other(whatever the other is) is <span style="font-size: large;">causing the health risk.  With that thought, there will surely be a difference in outcome <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">based on <span style="font-size: large;">what r<span style="font-size: large;">eplaces the red meat in<span style="font-size: large;"> a person's diet.  The<span style="font-size: large;">se are thi<span style="font-size: large;">ngs we have to study more<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">  Bottom line.  There is reason to believe that we can eat too much red meat and "too muc<span style="font-size: large;">h" depends on who you <span style="font-size: large;">a<span style="font-size: large;">sk.  </span></span></span>It is reasonable to replace some of your red meat with lean proteins and some types of fish, like <span style="font-size: large;">sal<span style="font-size: large;">mon.  On an individual level, meaning <span style="font-size: large;"><i>your diet</i>, direction should come from a licensed <span style="font-size: large;">dietician.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

Red Meat Afoul Again?

   The recent research suggesti ng a link between a chem ical found in red meat and adverse health is important.  It should be considered ...

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Does it Matter if you Walk or Run?

<span style="font-size: large;">   Several <span style="font-size: large;">studies addressi<span style="font-size: large;">ng the benefits of both <span style="font-size: large;">forms of exercise and <span style="font-size: large;">the comparis<span style="font-size: large;">on be<span style="font-size: large;">tween them<span style="font-size: large;">, were recently noted<span style="font-size: large;"> in a list s<span style="font-size: large;">er<span style="font-size: large;">v I <span style="font-size: large;">subs<span style="font-size: large;">cribe to.  The name of the list serv is <i>Obesity and Energetic Offer</i><span style="font-size: large;"><i>ings.</i>  It provide<span style="font-size: large;">s a week<span style="font-size: large;">ly list of <span style="font-size: large;">current research on specific obesity related topics<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">.  I<span style="font-size: large;">f you would like <span style="font-size: large;">to subscrib<span style="font-size: large;">e, cl<span style="font-size: large;">ick here <a href="http://www.soph.uab.edu/energetics/subscribe">http://www.soph.uab.edu/energetics/subscribe</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.<br />   <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many people ask me which is better, walking or running.  So I wanted to share the ups<span style="font-size: large;">hot of t<span style="font-size: large;">he recent findings.</span> Which is, it</span> dep<span style="font-size: large;">ends on your goal.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Is it to maintain your health, your weight, <span style="font-size: large;">or to lose weight?  Running has been found to be better for weight loss, but there are more things to consider.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> Which can you do several times a week?  Which can you do several times a week for ... well .. ever(ish)?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">    <span style="font-size: large;">Either activi<span style="font-size: large;">ty will improve your health.  C<span style="font-size: large;">e</span>rtainly this is so if you are engaging in little to <span style="font-size: large;">no activity right no<span style="font-size: large;">w.  If you<span style="font-size: large;">r primary goal is weight loss, minu<span style="font-size: large;">te for minute, running burns more calories than walking.<span style="font-size: large;"> It is very important that you consider consistency and frequency.  <span style="font-size: large;">Whether it is walking or running, the <span style="font-size: large;">benefit only occurs as long as you keep <span style="font-size: large;">doing it.  More of either one is better than less<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   You mig<span style="font-size: large;">ht read t<span style="font-size: large;">his and think you should become a runner. Not necessarily so.  If you cannot sustain that vigorous level of activi<span style="font-size: large;">ty</span> (for w<span style="font-size: large;">hat ever <span style="font-size: large;">reason (even mental)), than it <span style="font-size: large;">isn't right for you.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />   <span style="font-size: large;">In the end, it is physical acti<span style="font-size: large;">vity t<span style="font-size: large;">hat matters most for your hea<span style="font-size: large;">lth.  Yes, I am saying it<span style="font-size: large;">.  I know is anathema and <span style="font-size: large;">blas<span style="font-size: large;">pheme... but it is bet<span style="font-size: large;">ter to be a little overweight and activ<span style="font-size: large;">e tha<span style="font-size: large;">n normal weight or low weight and <span style="font-size: large;">inactive.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br />

Does it Matter if you Walk or Run?

   Several studies addressi ng the benefits of both forms of exercise and the comparis on be tween them , were recently noted in a list s e...

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NRA - No the other one

<span style="font-size: large;">    A nutrition study group with The National Restaurant Association will meet later this month to discuss several things, including nutrition labeling.  There are a few other agenda items that may interest you.  For instance, challenges the industry faces as they attempt to reduce sodium levels in foods and how to provide nutrition education to Hispanic Consumers (their words).  They will also discuss GMOs, or genetically modified foods.  I do not stay informed on that issue but I have several friends who are passionate about the need to <span style="font-size: large;">provide</span> GMO labels on products.  Some be<span style="font-size: large;">lieve that G<span style="font-size: large;">MOs are harmful and<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span>that people should avoid buying them. At the very least, they argue, people should know if thei<span style="font-size: large;">r products contain them. </span> My food relat<span style="font-size: large;">ed </span>focus is macronutrients and calories, <span style="font-size: large;">so I push for expanded labeling <span style="font-size: large;">in that area</span></span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Interestingly, I was recently asked to send a letter to some restaurants to encourage them to provide nutrition information to their customers. I did si<span style="font-size: large;">gn the form letter </span>and one of the restaurants on the list responded to me directly (so to speak).  They let me know how important t<span style="font-size: large;">hey <span style="font-size: large;">believed nutrition information was<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span>to their customers.  Because of their committ<span style="font-size: large;">ment to them</span>, they provide<span style="font-size: large;"> all the nutrition info<span style="font-size: large;"> for their</span></span> menu items on their WEBSITE.  Of course, I replied that it needed to be on the menu with the food so that people could see it while making decisions about their purchases.  There may be some discrepancies in the menu labeling research, but<span style="font-size: large;"> the<span style="font-size: large;">re is no question that</span></span> information given outside of the restaurant is not as effective as inf<span style="font-size: large;">ormation given ins<span style="font-size: large;">ide at the</span></span> point of decision making. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">    And lastly, a new study that used the traffic light system on restaurant menus has recently been published.  This experiment was done online.  People looked at make believe menus and reported what they would order.  It was not a field experiment and no real purchases were made.  Still, an interesting finding of this study is that too much information was no better than having no information (in regards to choosing the lower calorie meals).  The percent daily value statement was one of the unhelpful pieces of information.  AGREED.  The calorie only and the calorie with either green (400 or less calories), amber or red (more than 800) were both related to lower calorie choices.  The study was conducted in Australia and the lead author was Belinda Morely.</span>

NRA - No the other one

    A nutrition study group with The National Restaurant Association will meet later this month to discuss several things, including nutriti...

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Reconsidering Saturated Fat

<span style="font-size: large;">I find myself in cru<span style="font-size: large;">nch time again, but wanted to get this <span style="font-size: large;">different point of view<span style="font-size: large;"> out <span style="font-size: large;">to you</span></span> </span>.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   I have been a strong advocate for avoiding saturated <span style="font-size: large;">fat and have <span style="font-size: large;">oft describ<span style="font-size: large;">ed myself as a saturated fat phobic, calorie aware semi vegetarian.  <span style="font-size: large;">That is for the most part still t<span style="font-size: large;">rue of me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is also true that I consider research and commentary that comes form Harvard Schoo<span style="font-size: large;">l of Publi<span style="font-size: large;">c Health and Yale's Research Centers to be of high quality.<span style="font-size: large;">  </span>So when David Kat<span style="font-size: large;">z, MD MPH from <span style="font-size: large;">Yale wrote a b<span style="font-size: large;">log <span style="font-size: large;">stating that</span> some of the <span style="font-size: large;">food constituent </span>extrem<span style="font-size: large;">ists... ('fat' is bad, 'sat fat' is bad, 'trans fat' is bad, 'sugar' is bad).<span style="font-size: large;">might missing a point or two, <span style="font-size: large;">it ga<span style="font-size: large;">ve me pause.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   Dr. Katz is not saying that saturated fat is without problems or that i<span style="font-size: large;">t is not li<span style="font-size: large;">nked to heart problems (it may hav<span style="font-size: large;">e a role in thickening or hardening of the ar<span style="font-size: large;">teries<span style="font-size: large;"> for instance)<span style="font-size: large;">.  Wh<span style="font-size: large;">at <span style="font-size: large;">he does say is that the pro<span style="font-size: large;">blem with diets high in saturated fat and or hi<span style="font-size: large;">gh in sugar... or similar<span style="font-size: large;">ly, diets high in fried <span style="font-size: large;">foods and refined grains (e.g., cakes, pastries, <span style="font-size: large;">white pastas and rice) are likely to be LOW in the <span style="font-size: large;">foods that we know are healthy or <span style="font-size: large;">which protect against heart dis<span style="font-size: large;">ease </span></span>(e.g<span style="font-size: large;">., fruits, veg<span style="font-size: large;">etables, beans, whole grains).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">   I am going to link you to his post, even though I don't agree wi<span style="font-size: large;">th all of it and don't like how his page is full of ads.  I don't have time to go into more detail for you and d<span style="font-size: large;">o want you to hear his point<span style="font-size: large;">s</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/03/18/dietary-fat-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly?fb_action_ids=10200999189967166&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582" target="_blank">Here is his post.</a> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

Reconsidering Saturated Fat

I find myself in cru nch time again, but wanted to get this different point of view out to you .    I have been a strong advocate for avoi...

Read more »