[VIDEO] How is ZiZi Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!



How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
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[VIDEO] How is Angel Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!



How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic and/or a link to your own video.
And we'll blog it, right here on LifeLube.
Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
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How is Stormy Healthy?

This "How are you healthy" story was filmed as part of a series featuring various youth from the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) who agreed to take part in our campaign.

The BYC is a program of Howard Brown Health Center and our community partners, offering comprehensive services to youth, ages 12-24 including a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness.

As you will see, these fabulous folks do not hold back when telling their stories, enjoy them, learn from them, and check back to see new BYC-generated video blogs in the weeks to come!

How are you healthy?
Please join the hundreds who have shared their tips.
Tell us HERE. Send a pic to the same place.
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Gay men and all allies welcome to participate.
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How is Julio healthy?

I stay healthy by exercising and eating right. I exercise 6 days a week which includes cardio 4 days a week. The reason I exercise six days week is to isolate the different parts of the body. This involves more growth, building my strength, definition, and body symmetry. I set a day of which part of the body I wanna hit like:


Monday: Chest
Tuesday: Legs (quads)
Wednesday: Back
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Legs (hamstrings)
Saturday: Shoulders
Sunday: Arms

I train my legs twice a week to divide the leg muscles to perfect my symmetry. I do cardio so I can stay lean and burn off any unwanted fat so my body stays tone and defined. My cardio focuses mostly on running and sprinting but I just don’t stick to that, I shadow box and I do laps in the pool during the winter just so I don’t get bored and stay motivated.

But like any other gym bunny I'm work my abs two days a week to get a sexy waist and stomach but it’s not all about crunches and sit-ups you gotta eat right. To get lean u gotta eat lean, eat smart, minimize eating pork and red meat, instead I eat chicken, turkey, boiled eggs, and then an occasional lean beef.

I minimize my carb intake by limiting my consumption of bread I sub white for whole grain or wheat. And how can I forget about my veggies and fruit, I make sure I consume my daily fruit and veggies to stay lean.
I maybe showing you my diet regiment but that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with the occasionally slip up. I'm Mexican so my mother cooks nothing but traditional dishes and the occasional American.

I enjoy my tortillas but I eat smart, when I do so I eat the white corn rather than the yellow, it's less in sugar and calories. Even though I'm Mexican and I eat healthy it doesn't mean I can't enjoy my traditional dishes, so I just watch my portions and enjoy myself.

However this doesn't mean I stuff myself with junk food though I enjoy them it doesn't mean I'm gonna make a meal outta them, so I stay away from soda and other sugary drinks, even liquor. I stay with water making sure I drink a gallon a day but I divide my water intake by drinking coffee and tea, that way I have some flavor.

I stay healthy by taking vitamins drinking protein shakes and amino acids. They come in a variety of different types; it’s up to you which one you want to use that best fits what you’re going for you.           
      
Another reason I stay healthy is by flossing, yes flossing, and the reason why is because it will minimize any future heart conditions. The plaque in your teeth and gums can lead to clotted arteries which can result in different heart and health defects not to mention the occasionally funky breath; you don’t want to be told you need a mint!

Julio
-Chicago

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How is Amanda Owens healthy?

I live a stressful life. I'm constantly on the go between two different jobs, being in school full-time, and volunteering for a few organizations. I also like to maintain a happy social life and spend time with my partner.

With all the different balls I'm juggling in my personal and professional life, I like to think that my health is one that is made of glass. When I drop that one particular ball, it shatters, and everything else comes tumbling down. I can't afford to let that happen, and let's face it, neither can you.

Not too long ago, I ran across the crucial idea of self-care. Self-care can mean different things to different people. To say healthy mentally, I wake up 15 minutes early every morning. The small amount makes a big difference. It's a nice pocket of time that helps me not start out the day in a rush and gives me leeway to make up something I forgot.

Another important addition to my daily life is me-time. I set my work aside and relax in a way that I find relaxing, reading for fun or watching a TV show that makes me laugh. It means that I have more work to do during the day, but I feel more prepared knowing that I was able to rest and cant start with renewed purpose and a sense of motivation. I also have incorporated stretching into my everyday. Whenever I feel tense or realize I've been sitting in the same position at work too long, I do a few yoga-like stretches to release the tension and refresh my attitude.

Similarly, this stretching has helped me to stay physically healthy, as well. I've also switched to biking everywhere I go to help with longer commutes and increase my workout time in the week. It's difficult to find time for the gym, but biking to work or school helps me gain some physical activity where I might have instead sat on a city bus.

Going to the gym a few times a week, biking 8-12 miles daily, and walking longer distances has also contributed to sleeping a full night of rest. Before, I would work with this pending sense of obligation that I must be productive all the time, every moment of the day. How was I helping anyone, much less myself, when I was operating at half-health status, chugging along, giving the minimum? Now, I get to bed at a time that would ensure 6-8 hours of sleep and am better able to tackle the 10-15 hour days I have among my different duties.

Another way I feel healthy, mentally and emotionally, is the time I spend cultivating positive and affirming relationships in my life. I came to a place in my life where I wanted the most out of the people I spend time with... quality over quantity.

 Friends who support me in my endeavors, my activism, and who had similar paths and goals have become life-supports. It was in this process that I was lucky enough to meet my someone, and my partner inspires me to be more of me, the best of me, as cliché as it sounds.

Building my community has increased my support system and my family.

These small additions to my busy schedule have improved my health greatly. I feel invigorated. It's also a cycle, I feel, that perpetuates itself. As I started biking, I felt like sleeping a full night and was hungry enough to eat a proper and nutritious meal, that lead to feeling more energized, that made me want to bike more, that continued the cycle of feeling great.

The most important thing I did to stay healthy was to ask myself what I really needed for self-care and what I wanted as a result. Then I took small actions that helped feed larger actions. I started small to become what I wanted a piece at a time.

Amanda Owens

-Chicago


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Peter, I want to get back to a healthy weight and don't know where to begin. Help!

via Peter Pointers [Peter Pointers is LifeLube's gay health educator and is assisted by a group of qualified health specialists who work as a team to answer your health questions. Ask about your sexual health, physical health, mental/emotional and spiritual health.] 


Question:

I have let my physical health slip over the years and want to start getting back into shape.  There is so much information on diet and exercise out there and I’m not sure what to believe.  I want to return to a healthy weight again and have the motivation but need some help!  Any information to get me started is appreciated.


Answer:

Thank you so much for your question.  I am happy to hear you are trying to get educated on getting back into shape and improving your physical health. 

You are correct in that there is A LOT of information, some of it misleading, out there today.There are a lot of weight loss gimmicks that make it difficult to trust anything you hear. I can empathize with your frustration and I want to let you know that you are not alone. Obesity is the number one health risk facing America, and according to the Centers of Disease Control, we are becoming more overweight every year. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death.Obesity and low physical activity are some of the top risk factors associated with heart disease and thankfully those are risk factors we have control over.

There is a lot that goes into living a healthy lifestyle. Having good mental, social, spiritual, and emotional health is critical for overall wellbeing. In regards to your question on weight loss and getting back into good physical shape, I am going to focus on physical health - specifically nutrition and physical activity.  

Physical activity has many benefits besides just losing weight.

Here are some additional benefits of incorporating physical activity into your everyday life. 

•    Boost your mood
Aerobic exercise can ease the gloominess of depression, reduce the tension associated with anxiety and promote relaxation.

•    Increase your stamina
Aerobic exercise may make you tired in the short term. But over the long term, you'll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue.

•    Ward off viral illnesses
Aerobic exercise activates your immune system. This leaves you less susceptible to minor viral illnesses, such as colds and flu.

•    Reduce your health risks
Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

I highly recommend, if you’re considering starting a new workout and/or dieting routine, to consult a physician before starting. This will ensure your safety in starting new activity by helping you to make decisions that are best for your health.  

Sometimes the hardest part of physical activity is knowing what and how much to do. 

Finding accurate and reliable information can be difficult so one suggestion I have is sticking with well known sources. Examples of this include government websites like the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and scholarly journal articles. Blogs, forums, and other websites can have false or misleading information because they are not regulated or peer reviewed. You can trust me and LifeLube, though :)

For adults, The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week and 2 or more days a week of muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups. At first, 150 minutes can sound like a lot but it does not all have to be done at once and can be broken into increments as small as 10 minutes at a time. 

The important thing to consider is finding activities that you enjoy and can incorporate into your lifestyle. 

Exercising should not be a chore and if it feels this way, then I suggest trying other activities you have not tried before. 

Investing in a gym membership can be a great way to have access to professional staff and a variety of equipment but memberships can be expensive. If money is an issue, there are still hundreds of activities you can do outside or at home.  

Having a support system set up is an extremely important aspect of a person’s weight loss journey.

Support systems are used in order to help meet your fitness goals and to overcome any setbacks by helping you push you through the tough times.Having the support of family, friends, and professionals will help you develop and meet those goals.Talking with your support system in advance will be necessary so they know exactly what you are trying to accomplish.  

Nutrition is the other major component to weight loss that I wanted to address. It will be impossible for me to address everything in this post however I can give you some key tips and referrals to online sources to get you started.

Understanding yourself and how you got to your current physical condition is an important first step. Finding the root of the issue is what will help you overcome any unhealthy behaviors and move towards a healthier lifestyle. Recognizing your current eating habits by identifying any unhealthy habits you have as well as any cues that trigger those habits will be important to understand. Keeping a food log will help you identify what those habits are and will allow you to keep track of your daily calorie intake.

Here is a link from the CDC that will help you identify and start to change some unhealthy habits 

Healthy eating is easier said than done. 

Understanding nutrition is a science and a good amount of research will need to be done for you to get solid grasp of the information. The following are resources to get you started. It is unrealistic to make every change out there immediately. Try incorporating a few at a time and gradually build over time. Doing too much at once can set you up for failure in the future.  

Here is a link to help you get mentally prepared for your weight loss journey.

Here is a link to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It is a large document that covers food, nutrients, building healthy eating patterns and balancing calories to maintain weight. It will give you a lot of information on nutrition so you can begin to learn.

Another tip to help you succeed is to write personal goals. 

Goal writing sounds easy but can actually be quite difficult so I encourage you to look at this website to help you get going. Just make sure to develop goals and write them down! Individuals who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them!

I hope this information will get you started. You already have the motivation, so building a support system, identifying behaviors or why you got to your current physical condition,developing goals and slowly incorporating healthier lifestyle choices will be crucial next steps.  

I encourage you to look at those links and try to become as familiar with the information as possible.If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask! Good luck on your journey!


Be Well,
Peter
Peter Pointers on LifeLube, E-mail Peter
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How is Dab Garner healthy?

As a 30 year HIV and AIDS survivor, I stay healthy by pursuing my hopes, dreams and passion in life by being an activist/speaker/long term survivor. 

Through my work doing HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention while helping those already infected by HIV; I live every day to the fullest.

I take my HIV and other medications as instructed, exercise six days a week, try to eat a healthy balanced diet and get enough rest. I also abstain from alcohol, drugs and other habits which would compromise my health and immune system.

I am also lucky to have a wonderful support group of family and friends.

While many of my friends in the 80s and 90s were disowned by their families for being gay and HIV positive, my family love me unconditionally and have always been in my corner.

I know how lucky I am to have their support and the support of people around the world because of my work with Dab the AIDS Bear.

The bear and I speak at AIDS Walks, AIDS Rides, conferences, health fair and other events around the world. I enjoy meeting people from many countries and am fortunate to receive so much love and support for thousands every day. We also do our yearly holiday parties for children with HIV and AIDS called Teddy Bear Touchdowns. The love and hugs I receive from the children are the best medicine in the world.

My secret for being healthy is living every day as if it is your last.

I tell those close to me I love them and share my life including my HIV status openly. By doing this, I have had so many people share their story of living with HIV with me. Being a 30 year survivor, I hope I inspire people whether they are newly diagnosed or another long term survivor.

Remember life is not a dress rehearsal and even if you have HIV or another chronic illness, you should not allow your illness to take away your dreams, hope and passion.

For more information about Dab the AIDS Bear, our Teddy Bear Touchdowns or me, check out our site.

Wishing you health, hope and happiness.

Big bear hug,
Dab Garner
Ft. Lauderdale,FL


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How is Kimberly healthy? [lady-style]

Little by little every single day I tried something new.

In 2006 I stopped drinking and doing drugs which at the time was necessary in order for me to live a more productive life. 

Let's face it, it was necessary in order for me to live - period. 

I did not realize this at the time, but the result was that I adopted other healthy lifestyle habits as a result.  Once I stopped pouring poison into my body I continued to smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day. I figured I'd stopped doing something so epic that I needed "a vice." 

Well, I read a story about Raymond Carver, one of America's most celebrated short story authors.  He got sober around the same age as me, but died 10 years later of lung cancer.  It was a real wake up call that spurned my PAINFUL attempt to quit smoking - which was ultimately successful and I've been smoke free since 2007. 

But because I quit smoking, I turned to food. Around the same time I quit smoking, I got a boyfriend and started eating with him, plus I broke my arm really bad and the pounds just piled on. 

One day I couldn't button my fat pants and I don't think anyone would have looked at me and considered me obese. But I was 30+ pounds overweight, couldn't fit into a size 12 and I realized if I didn't make some changes, I was going to have a big problem on my hands.

So slowly - and I do mean slowly - I started eating right and exercising. The weight came off 1/8 of a pound at a time.  It was such a frustrating and emotionally difficult time because I didn't have any of my comforts left at this point - I didn't have alcohol, I couldn't take a magic pill, I couldn't smoke and now I couldn't even treat myself to chocolate chip cookies to soothe myself.  But I stuck with it. 

Little by little every single day I tried something new. If I'd done one pushup the day before, the next day I tried two. If I'd successfully walked 3 miles on the treadmill, I'd add a minute of running - then two - then three. On and on. 

Then I discovered Jillian Michaels and it's like my whole world expanded. By this time I was looking really good and feeling really good and I joined a gym which only continued my fitness quest.  My friends started noticing and asking me for advice on how I did it. 

My good friend Richard showed me how I could get certified as a fitness instructor.  I never even thought at my age - 41 - I could even try something like this!  But I got certified, I auditioned to become an instructor and now I'm an instructor at my gym. 

So not only are these all healthy habits I've formed which are healthy in the traditional sense of me taking care of myself.  But having the courage to try new things, sticking to a disciplined routine and facing my fears has given me confidence in other areas. 

So when I'm hooking up with a guy I'm more careful today and I insist on protection. I made an appointment to get a mammogram. I set boundaries with toxic people who take advantage of my good nature. I try new and more challenging classes at the gym. 

And I just have a healthier self image and better self esteem.  

-- Kimberly (lady, ally)
Chicago






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"Healthy" foods that aint necessarily so

via RealJock, by Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger

Most anywhere you look, it’s easy to find plenty of healthful foods. But if there’s so much health food surrounding us, why is the obesity trend still on the upswing? There are lots of reasons, of course, but one issue may very well be the abundance of so-called health foods that are, well, not so healthy. There are so many, in fact, that it’s impossible to list them all—but here are a few of the biggest, and trickiest offenders…and why you should steer clear.

Sugar-free treats

You can find sugar-free versions of almost anything your sweet tooth desires, like cookies, cake, and candy. But don’t be fooled by the cloyingly sweet standbys: while sugar free foods do often have fewer calories, they can still pack plenty from other sources, like fat. So if you’re seeking sweet, go ahead and eat it—but stick with a small serving of the real sugar-sweetened version of whatever you’re craving. It’s more likely to be satisfying, plus, you won’t be tempted to over-eat sugar-free treats all the while thinking you’re in the clear because they are “diet” (and the calories still add up). If that’s not reason enough, consider this: many times the sweetening agents used in sugar free treats can have gastrointestinal side effects that, when eaten in excess, just aren’t so sweet.

Read the rest.

Man Drinking Fat. NYC Health Anti-Soda Ad. Are You Pouring on the Pounds?

How is Bisi Alimi healthy?

Taking him for a walk in the morning 

allows me to work my body

as I am not a gym person.

  

When I was asked to write about how I keep healthy, I thought it was going to be very easy... until I started writing. I realized I hardly have a clue in regards to what I've been doing to stay healthy for over 35 years, and why I hardly ever visit the doctor.

So after a great and good laugh at myself and knowing that I have to send this in, I took stock of my life and realized that yes, I do some things that I can consider to be healthy. To many people, it might sound a bit lame, but in all honesty, these are things that have kept me going for years.

Every morning when I wake up, I try to start with a very clear and positive mind. This is very important and it sets the pace for a better day, and a positive mind relaxes the face and the muscles and makes for great smiles.

I get up to feed my dog. Having a dog gives me a good sense of responsibility and accountability, it also give me the opportunity to show my love to someone. In return my dog's loyalty is amazing and out of this world. Taking him for a walk in the morning allows me to work my body - as I am not a gym person. We walk about 45 minutes everyday, and listening to music while we walk sets me in the right mood.

I love to eat very healthy, I am very conscious of what goes into my mouth, and for this reason, I do my own cooking, buy my own vegetables, meat and necessary items needed for cooking - to me this is very therapeutic.

I love to have good sex, this might sound funny, but I have come to realize that having a good and positive attitude towards sex has helped me keep fit, and the process of having a romantic sexual experience on its own is very healthy.

Finally, I love to relax after work, and indulge in little sinful pleasures. However, I don’t smoke and I do don't drugs. I think this has helped my body system to work very well.

So for me, waking up in good spirits in the morning, being responsible to my pet and walking him regularly, home made cooking made with fresh ingredients, and good romantic sex are my secrets to being healthy.

-- Bisi Alimi

London

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How is Jo Jo Steven McClure healthy?

Being healthy to me means consistency.

  

 I am healthy; because I make changes in my daily routine that positively impact my well being. For instance, I acquire most of my daily exercise through small but significant changes in my commute. Instead of taking public transportation or driving my car to work each day I ride my bike instead. 

 

Secondly, I substitute certain foods or completely remove them from my diet one meal at a time. For example, when I go to my favorite fast food restaurants during my lunch break at work instead of ordering the number one as usual I simply get the sandwich coupled with a piece of fresh fruit and maybe a courtesy cup of water. 

 

These minor changes in routine over time have contributed to my good health.

-- Jo Jo Steven McClure

Chicago

 

 

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How is Nicolas Pittman healthy?

I don't have a gym membership, but who needs one when you can go work out at the lakefront?

I am a gay male living on the Northside of Chicago. I was diagnosed with HIV almost six years ago, so staying healthy is a big priority for me.

How do I do it? Well I love to run, usually going 4 or 5 miles each run. I also like to wake up in the morning and do push-ups and crunches. I don't have a gym membership, but who needs one when you can go work out at the lakefront?

One big thing that I do to stay healthy is to eat well. Lots of fruits and vegetables, starches, and I try to stay away from a lot of fried foods. It works, trust me!

-- Nicolas Pittman
Chicago

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How is Chris Wimbley Healthy?

I eat vegetables now - 

 something that you couldn’t pay me to eat back in the day. 

Staying healthy has become more important to me now than ever. I use to not care what I was eating as long as it was good but as I became older ( and looked at myself in the mirror) I realized it was time for a change, SO I TOOK ACTION !

I decided to take a step in a healthier direction. I have a gym membership now and I try to work out for at least an hour 3 times a week. I cut back my red meat intake because red meat is my most favorite unhealthy meal and I eat more chicken and turkey. In addition to healthy eating I also eat for vegetables now -  something that you couldn’t pay me to eat back in the day. 

Water and walking have become important in my life. When its nice out I take about an hour walk around either my neighborhood, downtown Chicago, or the lake front 3 of my favorite places. 

I have to admit since taking a step in a healthier direction I can see the change that has happened, I have more energy now and also clothes are becoming bigger which is a plus. I encourage everyone to take the healthy step that fits them best. 

Life is already to short, so why make it even shorter by ruining your body when you can live it to the fullest by living a healthy life.

-- Chris Wimbley

Chicago

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How is Frank Davis healthy?

One of my goals this year has been to get back in shape and stay healthy. For me, staying healthy means watching what I eat and staying active while enjoying my free time. Being a full-time college student and a part-time employee, it is very difficult to balance a school life, a work life and a social life. However, I found that I feel healthiest and happiest when all of these facets are functioning well and working together.

I am a very detailed and schedule-orientated person. Staying healthy requires that I stick to a schedule every day of every week. Each morning I wake up at seven o’clock. While most of my commitments do not begin until late morning (usually around 11) I find this the perfect time to squeeze in a “wake-me-up” work-out. Some mornings I drag myself to the gym and spend a minimum of a half hour doing cardio and a half hour doing weight training. Other mornings, I throw in one of my many yoga DVDs and “relax while building strength” in my living room. Mixing it up from day to day keeps me from getting bored; ergo I am more enthusiastic and prone to sticking with my schedule. Recently, I have made the decision to buy a bicycle. While I haven’t made this purchase yet, I am very excited about the possibilities for activity that this will open up (both leisure and for exercise).

Another important part of my ‘stay healthy’ regimen is eating right. This is sometimes the most difficult part of it all. Having such a tremendously heavy load of commitments within a day, it’s very easy to sometimes want to slip up and grab a burger or slice of pizza from the closest restaurant. Until recently, ordering out was my weakness. It was all too easy to come home from a day at the office or school and just order something from one of the local restaurants. Unfortunately, that became an all-too-expensive weakness.

Instead, I now cook 90% of all my meals at home. Cooking has become a treat for me. It’s very methodical in nature and thus very calming and soothing. After a long day at school or work I look forward to coming home and preparing the newest find from my cookbook.  Either in the morning or the night before, I plan each meal for the day. If I know I will not be around the house for lunch, I pack something to take along with me. I’ve always favored a big salad, and more often than not, that’s what I pack to bring with me to work or class. Over the past year or so, I’ve been trying to stay away from red meat. It’s not something I’ve been told I should do to reduce cholesterol or anything (although my family does have a history of high cholesterol and heart problems), it’s just that I’ve always favored chicken, turkey, and fish over burgers and steak.

Aside from all of the eating right and staying active, I feel that having a good social life is very important to my health. Not only in terms of my psychological well being but it also plays a huge part in keeping me healthy. My friends and family have always been a huge part of my life. Without many of them, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today. Without them I wouldn’t be able to continue being the person that I strive to be. I know that I only have this one life and that I should make the most of it. Eating healthy, exercising and spending time with my friends are the most important on a list of many things that ensure that I will live this life to its fullest.

-- Frank Davis
Chicago

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Health Care Reform Will Make Us Skinny?

Suddenly, every can of soda or Happy Meal or chicken nugget on a school lunch menu will look like a threat to future profits.

Look out fast food; when insurance companies can't dump the sick, they will have to strongly support healthy diets, or lose.

via AlterNet, by Michale Pollan


To listen to President Obama’s speech on Wednesday night, or to just about anyone else in the health care debate, you would think that the biggest problem with health care in America is the system itself -- perverse incentives, inefficiencies, unnecessary tests and procedures, lack of competition, and greed.

No one disputes that the $2.3 trillion we devote to the health care industry is often spent unwisely, but the fact that the United States spends twice as much per person as most European countries on health care can be substantially explained, as a study released last month says, by our being fatter. Even the most efficient health care system that the administration could hope to devise would still confront a rising tide of chronic disease linked to diet.

That’s why our success in bringing health care costs under control ultimately depends on whether Washington can summon the political will to take on and reform a second, even more powerful industry: the food industry.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three-quarters of health care spending now goes to treat "preventable chronic diseases." Not all of these diseases are linked to diet -- there’s smoking, for instance -- but many, if not most, of them are.

We’re spending $147 billion to treat obesity, $116 billion to treat diabetes, and hundreds of billions more to treat cardiovascular disease and the many types of cancer that have been linked to the so-called Western diet. One recent study estimated that 30 percent of the increase in health care spending over the past 20 years could be attributed to the soaring rate of obesity, a condition that now accounts for nearly a tenth of all spending on health care.

Read the rest.

Put Down that Lard, er Coke

[yes, those are globs of human fat]

Pass Go, Advance Direct2Food

mm, mmm good

Direct2Food is Metro Chicago’s one-stop shop for meeting the food needs of you and your family.

This online resource will help you locate the food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs closest to you. Direct2Food will also help you determine if you are eligible for further assistance like food stamps and resources for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

How is Toro Castaño healthy?

I lead your archetypal healthy active California lifestyle and I've been doing it for so long that its second nature. Of course this includes being moderately vigilant about the food I buy, avoiding things like hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup. I take powerful supplements filled with stimulants. And, I spend 3 hours at the gym every other day.

Key to everything for me though is balance coupled with a strong "inner foundation." I've been on a journey of self actualization since the age of 12 which coincidentally is the about time I began to feel unbalanced. My biggest struggles have been maintaining psychological fitness and at times battling depression. For me this means; doing self check-in's, seeking professional help when necessary, exercising self help, reaching out to friends, journaling, and perhaps most helpful in resetting, allowing myself to check-out/disconnect i.e. laying on the couch for a day.

I have always been and always will be an irrepressible party girl, albeit a responsible one. These days I do more drinking than pills or powders but I still love to have fun. For me this means hydrating myself, having a game plan, and taking sensible precautions. For example eating protein bars, drinking supergreen juice, and allotting myself recovery time.

Ultimately the old cliche beauty comes from within is pragmatic advice. Whether by design or trait I strive to maintain a curiosity and openness to learning and experience and although I have been accused of having one hell of a sassy mouth deep down inside it comes from a sincere good hearted place. There is something to be said about balancing a healthy cynicism with positive attitude and positive outlook and a big dose of humor (appropriate or in my case usually not).

Toro Castaño
Santa Cruz, California


How are you healthy?
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How We Became a Society of Gluttonous Junk Food Addicts

via AlterNet, by Arun Gupta

I am hardly alone. Frito-Lay is the snack-food peddler to the world, with over $43 billion in revenue in 2008. The 43-year-old cheesy chip is a "category killer," dominating the tortilla chip market with a 32 percent share in 2006, and number two in the entire U.S. "sweet and savory snacks category," just behind Lay's potato chips.

$1.7 billion in annual sales in the U.S, is big business. Behind the enigma of Doritos’ dominance, and the lure of junk food to even the most refined palettes in the world, are the wonders of food science. That science, in the service of industrial capitalism, has hooked on us a food system that is destroying our health with obesity-related diseases. And that food system is based on a system of factory farming at one end, which churns out cheap, taxpayer-subsidized commodities like corn, vegetable oil and sweeteners, and the giant food processors at the other, like Frito-Lay, that take these commodities and concoct them into endless forms of addictive junk foods.

Read the whole thing.

How current is your HIV status?

Do you remember the last time you were tested for HIV?

National HIV Testing Day is June 27 - and a great time to get that status updated if it has been more than 6 months since your last test.

This Friday, the Center on Halsted is offering free rapid HIV testing - and an interesting half-day health and wellness program as well.

Space is limited, and you need to RSVP for this free event. Please visit the Center's website now to RSVP.

Click to enlarge the images below and see the details.