Breast Milk Ice Cream gets the boot

Now you see it, now you don't. A London-based ice creamery is no longer allowed to sell their freshly debuted human breast milk ice cream flavor. Despite its popularity, selling out at $22.50 a serving, local officials on the Westminster City Council pulled the "Baby Gaga" flavor from the freezers.

"A spokeswoman from Westminster City Council said Monday it was responding to two complaints from the public over whether a shop should be selling edibles made from other people's bodily fluids." Even though milk donors undergo a health screening prior to, the concern remains that infectious diseases can be passed on through contaminated breast milk.

The Baby Gaga Breast Milk ice cream may not be gone forever, but until concerns over legality and safety can be fully allayed, it will remain confiscated. "As far as we are aware there is no law prohibiting a business from selling breast milk ice cream," said the store founder Matt O'Connor. All the same, the city council awaits word from Britain's Food Standards Agency. Meanwhile the pulled ice cream is being tested with the full cooperation of Icecreamists, the parlor marketing the debate-stirring frozen treat.

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Breast Milk Ice Cream???!!

Huuuwwwhhhaaaattt???? Just when I thought Ben and Jerry's had come up with every possible flavor, a London-based Ice Cream shop churns up a blend of Madagascan vanilla pods, lemon zest, and yes, human mother's breast milk.

I'm reminded of a "Friends" episode where the cast is torn on whether adults tasting breast milk is gross or okeydoke. Y'might wanna pick a side yourself before you stroll past the Icecreamists parlour. It's settled in the heart of Convent Garden, a popular shopping district and tourist destination.

Flavor voyeurs ordering the "Baby Gaga" concoction will have it hand-delivered by a costumed waitress, who'll use a syringe to pour liquid nitrogen over the presentation. The ice cream is served in a martini glass topped off with breast milk accompanied by a rusk. Whisky or another cocktail of choice can be added on request. All yours for the price of $22.50.

Company founder, Matt O'Connor, defends his flavor innovation against skeptics. "It's pure, it's natural, it's organic, and it's free range - and if it's good enough for our kids, it's good enough to use in our ice cream."

I guess he's got a point. Boob juice is pretty healthy. Any newborn tyke will tell ya (if they could talk) that breast is best. Human milk is replete with antibodies that directly protect against infection. It's easily digested and boasts high bio-availability (science jargon for how well the body can use the nutrients in a food). For example, the body can absorb 49% of available iron in human milk (in contrast to 10% of available iron in cow milk).

To uphold the highest standards, a rigorous health screening is required of lactating women wishing to donate their milk via breast pumps. This assures the milk is contaminant-free; an important precaution considering that infectious diseases (like HIV) as well as chemicals of prescription and illegal drugs are passed on in an affected mother's milk.

Victoria Hiley, 35 year old mother of one, was the first to step forward in response to the online advert. Her 30 fl oz contribution made the first 50 servings. And 13 more women have lined up behind her to sell their goods. The ice cream is 75% human breast milk and 25% cream. The flavor's been well received and owner Matt O'Connor's tickled pink over the publicity it's bringing his store.

"By using breast milk we've ...given (ice cream) a one hundred percent makeover. Its just one of a dozen radical new flavours we've invented. We want to change the way people think about ice cream." I'd say, "mission accomplished, sir."

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"Let's Move" Political Cartoons

My friend, Heather, sent along a veritable GOLD MINE of great political cartoons. I had to share. Of note are ones parodying Rush Limbaugh's recent take on Michelle's weight. Here's "Limbaugh the Hutt" and his imprisoned followers chained to the toad-eater's every word.

And here's a site for seared eyes. After claiming that Michelle couldn't pull off the gig of a sports illustrated model, bikini-clad Rush shows her how it's done.

Seeing these Limbaugh laughs inspired me to hunt for more artistically rendered tit for tat surrounding Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign. Now, I know it's hard to see behind Rush, but Sarah Palin's right there with him, claiming govt abuse of the bully pulpit.

Don't worry Benjy Frankster, she's not going to be speaking much longer. Considering her stand against the anti-obesity plan, Palin showcases an ironic shrink-factor, making weight loss look easy. How DOES she do it? (besides being a harpy contradictarian to anything good for our nation).

But conservative propogandists needn't despair at losing the voice of Momma Grizzly Bear. The ever-insubordinate American (whose size is starting to rival that of a grizzly) will carry on her protests. Michelle's got a biiiig job ahead of her. Literally.

Speaking of big fellas, this is all very bad news for Santa, cuz Michelle doesn't play favorites.
It's enough to make Saint Nick faint quick. But look on the bright side, Clausy. A lighter you, makes for a lighter sleigh, which means you can do with a few less reindeer, and save money on gas!! Er, grass. Whatever you feed 'em. Oh hey, they might enjoy some of your carrots and cucumber actually.

Bottom line: when it comes to food matters, bigger is no longer better.

Cartoonists get a kick out of depicting Michelle as overstepping government bounds by suggesting healthy eating habits to the public.

But to accuse her of such is a misconstrued allegation. Y'see, sensible eating and physical activity are just suggestions that you can take or leave. But there are still certain over reactionaries who take these suggestions as a threat to life, liberty, and the pursuit of chronic disease.


So on whom should the onus to get a handle on health fall (and I don't mean a love handle)? Should it be our government's responsibility? The food industry's responsibility? Or the individual's responsibility?

Maybe we are better left to our own devices.... Our own free-market brainwashed devices.

It's funny cuz it's true........

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In Defense of my First Lady (Subtitled: The only fat hypocrit here is YOU, Rush Limbaugh)

According to Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Obama and her daughters "feasted on" ribs while on a ski trip in Vail. He labels her a hypocrit for disregarding the teachings of her nation-wide anti-obesity campaign. Here's the clip from his show.


I've excerpted his arguments in red font, and responded in white.

"The problem is, and dare I say this, it doesn't look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice."
At 5'11" 175 lbs, Michelle's BMI is 24.4 and falls within the healthy range of 18.5 to 25. She prioritizes regular physical activity, even if it means waking up at 4:30 am to work out.

If Rush says a physically active woman with a normal BMI "doesn't look like" she eats healthy food, then perhaps it's his perception of what's healthy that's skewed. Case in point, "I'm trying to say that our First Lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue." That image is biologically unhealthy. Just because the word "Sport" is in the title, doesn't mean the magazine promotes an attainable standard. Carolyn Murphy, a Sports Illustrated Cover Girl, weighs in at 120 lbs, 5'9". Her BMI of 17.7 is below the recommended minimum.

"Our First Lady does not project the image....of a woman Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you." Personally, I'd rather project the image of a woman the most powerful man in America (our President) might date for the rest of his life.

"And then we hear that she's out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving..." Rush, you inflate not only our First Lady's BMI, but also her caloric intake. Setting the record straight is The Vail Daily, who caught up with the owner of the restaurant at which Michelle ate to get the facts.

• Michelle's meal choice was sensibly sized: "A proper 5-ounce portion of protein is what nutritionists say we should have.”
• Michelle's meal choice was calorically conscientious: "A braised short rib is a relatively lean cut of beef...with most of the fat cooked off. The 5-ounce serving runs about 600 calories... a far cry from the 1,500 calories and 141 grams of fat" Rush accuses it of.
• Michelle's meal choice supported organic farming: "Let’s not forget that the 5-ounce rib is served with local kale, grown by students at Eagle’s Brush Creek Elementary School."
• Michelle's meal choice was nutrient packed: “Kale is one of nature’s super foods. There are more nutrients in the 3 ounces of kale we serve than you’ll get in a massive green salad.”
• Michelle's meal choice was burned off by skiing: "A skier will burn off about 6,000 calories during the course of a day."
  

"Michelle my belle's out there saying if you eat the roots and the tree bark and the berries and all this cardboard stuff, you'll live longer, be healthier, and you won't be obese. Ok fine, show us." ...... I've never heard Michelle promote the "roots, berries, and tree bark" diet. What she does advocate is unprocessed, organic foods over our usual oversweetened and oversalted fare.

"Haven't seen any evidence here that the uh, if (her advice) is being followed, that it works. That's all." I'm guessing that PubMed is not among your list of recently frequented Pubs. She's not making up eating advice on a whim, she's passing along USDA's recommendations that are based on scientific research. Her initiative endorses a well-balanced diet as specified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

In conclusion, my dear Rush, here's an apt quote from motivational speaker, Geneen Roth: “Other ppl’s judgments are most often a reflection of their inability to accept themselves, not an indication of your shortcomings. People judge others about that which they judge in themselves; if they are uncomfortable with their weight, they are going to be very aware of your weight. If they are are afraid to eat chocolate cake, they will be disturbed when they see you eating it b/c it will bring their own fear and their own desire to do what you are doing. They will try to push away the external cause of their disturbance—you.”

Why are you so bothered by Michelle Obama? Why did you blow her meal choice way out of proportion? Is it because you project onto her what you dislike in yourself? In that case, the only fat hypocrit here, is you.

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2/27/2011: The March to Stop Sweatshops

"Join farmworkers from Immokalee and their allies for the CIW's largest and most important action ever in the Northeast! On Sunday, February 27th, participants in "The March to Stop Sweatshops" will call on Food Industry Giants to provide basic human rights to Florida Farmworkers."

Christine Gary interviews rally organizer, Meghan Cohorst, about this upcoming event. And reports back to the Tufts University's nutrition newsletter, the Friedman Sprout. Read here!

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Study suggests food is as addictive as heroin/cocaine.

Nature Neuroscience published a study headed by scientists at the Florida-based Scripps Research Institute. Their findings show that rats who get a buffet style environment of all-you-can-eat dining, will become addicted to this lifestyle in the same way that druggies will become addicted to heroin or cocaine.

Click on the link below to read more.
http://www.childrencomefirst.com/addicted.shtml

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Pump up the Jam (updated 2/21)

We have enough excuses to keep us from lacing our shoes. Stale music shouldn't be one of them. Which is why this post's about workout music.

Runhundred.com
This website's SOLE purpose is to bring you good workout songs. Driven by voter polls, you get an unbiased majority-rules recommendation on what's hot. Check out the sidebar for a list of the most popular workout hits of the month. Or browse by genre, tempo, and era to get more specific recs.

Shape.com: best-tunes-for-every-workout
Shape.com:top-10-workout-songs-of-2010
Shape magazine delivers tunes for every type of workout, as well as the top 10 workout songs of 2010 (which they swiped from runhundred.com).

DJearworm.com
Mix n' match! I'm a mashup maniac (combining songs). And profess mashups to almost always be an improvement on the original version. To date, DJ Earworm is the best mashup artist I've come across. Reliable quality. Routine releases. He offers them for FREE on his site. And I love him for it.

Update 2/21:
Boston.com
Swears they've got your ultimate playlist. Check it out, see if they're right, lol.

And here are a couple of my current favs

• Dynamite, Taio Cruz
• Break your Heart, Taio Cruz
• Grenade, Bruno Mars
• Hey Baby, Pitbull
• Gimme Dat, Ciara
• Stereo Love, Edward Maya/Mia Martina
• Eat you Up, BoA
• All the Above, Maino
• Airplanes, Eminem/Bob/Haley
• My time, Fabolous
• Kanye, New Workout Plan

And here's a list from my friend, Jennifer Stiles

• Tumbleweeds 2010 MIX
• It's Gonna Be, Norah Jones
• I Learned The Hard Way, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
• Show Me How You Burlesque, Christina Aguilera
• Dog Days Are Over, Florence + The Machine
• Oh My God, Ida Maria
• Shark In the Water, V V Brown
• Rolling In The Deep, Adele
• Let The Record Go, The Mynabirds
• Oh My, Gin Wigmore
• Paris (Ooh La La), Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
• Oh No!, Marina & The Diamonds
• Punching In A Dream, The Naked And Famous Teeth, Lady GaGa

Comment with your favs and we'll keep this list growing. :o)
Now go revitalize your tunes and keep yo' ass movin'!!

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Don't Wait to Lose Weight

While it looks like this chick pictured at right won the genetic lottery, that's not the case. Jenna Phillips claimed health when circumstance and western medicine would have withheld it. In 2000, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She subsequently gained 30 pounds and struggled to manage her insulin levels. But she turned pain into purpose; "learned how to persevere, and that with perseverance, anything is possible." Now an LA-based trainer, she leads others in making lifestyle changes to manifest their best selves. Check out what she has to say about weight loss.

---------------------------------------------------------
“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” - Shaquille ONeal

“There are always two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.” - Anonymous

“Choose always the way that seems the best, however rough it may be. Custom will soon render it easy and agreeable.” - Pythagoras

"I owe all my success to having no PLAN B. No other plan of survival. Failure is not an option." - Jenna Phillips

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Working out but not seeing results? Here's why (pt 1)

People often stop working out when they don't see results. Here are possible roadblocks to success and how to hurdle them.

1) Your eating habits haven't changed
Nutrition accounts for 80% of weight loss success. EIGHTY. You can scarf a 300 cal brownie in five seconds, and have to run three miles to burn it off.

Y'know Taylor Lautner of "Twilight" fame? His trainer, Jordan Yuam, says "when starting out an exercise program, if you want to see a successful outcome, you work on food first." Fewer calories, and better quality food. Processed foods won't do your body any favors. Go for a well-balanced diet. Fad diets that eliminate an entire food group (Atkins w/ carbs) aren't sustainable. Eating frequently keeps your metabolism burning all day long. Taylor ate 6 smaller meals a day to get his Twilight physique. Yuam recommends you indulge in moderation one meal a week. Visit Yuam's site for more food hints.

2) Your work outs aren't fun
When you feel stuck in a rut, switch it up! Try spin, zumba, or boxing. Join community sport leagues or running groups. Ask your friends what they do. Better yet, GO with your friends and make working out a social affair. If you can afford it, a trainer is a good way to keep the motivation strong.

When adding variety, don't be confined by social norms. Guys, take an otherwise estrogen-dominated step/spin class. Ladies, part the sea of men monopolizing the dumbbells.

3) You only do cardio
Women, listen up! There's a whole nother gym world beyond the elliptical or treadmill. Weight training doesn't always add bulk (use low weight, lots of reps).

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advises muscle and bone strengthening activity at least 2 days per week."

Muscle burns calories, even when the body is at rest. So the more muscle mass you have, the more you burn around the clock. Strength training also tones the body, giving definition. It can even prevent stretch marks.

4). You only do weights
Weight lifting is unlikely to rev your heart rate up - and keep it up - the way that cardio can. And it's increased heart rate spurs optimal calorie burn. An hour spent doing cardio may burn around 500 calories, compared to the 200 burned in an hour of weights.

Another perk to cardio is that you can do it daily, and not have to worry about over training muscle groups. Both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association ok 60 minutes of activity most days of the week.

5). Your goal is unrealistic
Few people can go from sloth to spartan overnight. Start slow. If that means you get to the gym twice a week, GREAT! Build from there, tracking your progress.

Many attempt crazy goals and abandon them because they're simply unsustainable. Don't risk burn out. Or worse, injury. Instead, choose SMART realistic goals. Slow and steady wins the race. Channel your inner turtle.

Find part 2 here.

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All Animals Are Equal But Some Animals Are More Equal Than Others

All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. Just ask Whole Foods Market (WFM) who, in partnership with Global Animal Partnership (GAP), is now rating store meat from 1 to 5 based on the animal welfare practices of the farm that produced it. The more standards met by the farm, the higher the rating.

I have a funny feeling that Napoleon is behind this campaign. For those who’ve not read Animal Farm (spoiler alert), Napoleon was a pig who led his fellow beasts in rebellion against the humans, while aspiring to become more human himself. The pigs of the novel impose more control over others, while reserving privileges for themselves.

So sure, the rating only goes to step 5 now, but give it a year or two and it’ll max out at Step 23. Pigs will have convinced us that they must, ostensibly for their health, have double portions of food, sleep in human beds, drink whiskey, play poker, walk on hind legs……

I feel like the laboring class in the book -- being convinced through psychological conditioning that farm animal welfare is more weighty a crusade than it is. My question is, where do you draw the line on the runaway consciences of activists? WFM already had in place strict company policies requiring all meat sold in stores to “be raised on a vegetarian diet without being administered antibiotics or added growth hormones.” And it’s already in a farmer’s best interests to treat animals well to get a high quality product. Is the rating really necessary?

.....Que nostalgia for simpler times before the burden of choice was thrust on me. WFM says their new system “gives shoppers a way to make more informed choices at the meat counter." Soooo you’re giving me the option to feel like a shitty person for buying cheaper step 1 meat? Color-coded signs and stickers will assault my conscience at every turn, imploring my wallet to pay more for a “happy” animal carcass. Sorry, ignorance is bliss.

With all due respect, leave your animal activist complications out of my grocery list. If you're so keen to find a well-treated animal to eat? Cook your pet.

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Xtine suspects boobs endow her with superpowers

German researchers report that staring at boobs increases longevity. By extrapolation, my rack possesses extraordinary life-extending powers. I’M A SUPERHERO!

According to Gerontologist Dr. Karen Weatherby, gawking at fun bags is healthy. "Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well-endowed female, is roughly equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out." Well, I’m feeling more and more valuable an asset to the human race by the minute. Do go on.

The prospective cohort study followed 200 healthy males for 5 years. Half stared at breasts daily. The other half abstained (uh, how?). The men routinely mesmerized by melons boasted lower blood pressure, slower resting pulse rates, and fewer episodes of coronary artery disease.

I’m skeptical. But Weatherby persists, saying, “sexual excitement gets the heart pumping and improves blood circulation” resulting in overall health gains. A man cuts his risk of stroke in half and adds 5 yrs to his life by honing in on hooters.

Settled. I am a veritable walking fountain of youth. Fully understanding my powers called for scrutinizing the study design. How long did men stare at boobs? What size boobs? Real or picture? Nipple shot or just cleavage? Did the study account for effect modification and curtail confounding variables? Standardize and stratify data? What statistical analysis was run? T-test? Regression? ANOVA? Give me p values!!

Alas, a search of the New England Journal of Medicine (the study’s purported publisher) yielded no such research paper. Nor did PubMed, with its thousands of peer-reviewed journals. Nothing authored by Dr. Weatherby (our new fav imaginary doctor). No articles at all on any health benefits of breast gazing.

Fast forward through more snooping and the trail leads back to a faux-journalism tabloid. World Weekly News released a shamefully similar article…..twice. Once in 1997 and again in 2000. How a hoax article from 1997 made it onto the pages of MedGuru (generally reliable-ish) over 10 years later.....I don’t know. Probably some forwarded email chain.

So men, I’m sorry to say, your search for immortality lies not in a woman’s chest. But give it a go if you like, you may be the exception. ;)

Peace!
-Xtine Gary
Find me/friend me on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/cheerz

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The Colbert Report's take on Nutrition News

"America faces an Obesity crisis. Did you know that nearly one third of Americans have never had the chance to be obese? It's true. And now, they may never will." -- Stephen Colbert

Colbert outs the Nation's conspiracy plans to get healthy. Enjoy the clips!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Thought for Food - Nestle Corporation
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Thought for Food - Wyngz & Wal-Mart
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Wal-Mart Collaborates With Obama Administration - Leslie Dach
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

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