Source: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2016/04/the-strange-story-of-my-accepted-but-yet-to-be-published-commentary-on-a-disney-sponsored-study-gets-stranger/

Last week, StatNews.com revealed that the Walt Disney company tried to withdraw a research study it had funded because its University of Colorado authors, Jim Hill and John Peters, were behind the Global Energy Balance Network, the group funded by Coca-Cola to minimize the role of sugary drinks in obesity.

The headline: “Disney, fearing a scandal, tried to press journal to withdraw research paper.”

StatNews.com based the story on e-mails obtained from the University of Colorado by Gary Ruskin of US Right to Know through open records requests.

An e-mail from John Peters to a Disney representative says “could I ask you to look this [draft press release] over and edit as you see fit.”

But the authors’ conflict-of-interest disclosure statement says:

This work was supported by the Walt Disney Company and by the National Institutes of Health (grant no. DK48520). The Walt Disney Company and the National Institutes of Health had no role in the design, analysis, or writing of this article.

This may be strictly true, but the authors were asking Disney to approve their press release, which is not exactly “no role.”

Readers: does any of this sound familiar?  In February, I wrote a blog post about precisely this article for which I wrote an invited Commentary, accepted by the journal but not published.  I said:

The paper turned out to be by a group of authors, among them John Peters and Jim Hill, b…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/eMW3DLpFmtw/

“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” ~Paul Valery

As I am sitting at my desk, looking out the window, I am contemplating if I should fly to Germany or not.

My father has been very sick for the past three years. I spent three months in Germany last year to have some time with him and help him get better. He finally recovered and I flew back home to Miami.

When I talked to my stepmom the other day, she gave me the news though that my father had a relapse and seems to be worse than ever.

My first instinct was to get on the next plane to go see him. My father refuses. He doesn’t want me to come. He doesn’t want me to see him suffer, so he prefers I stay home while he is waiting for a place in the clinic.

Situations like these make you realize how precious life is. Everything we take for granted can be gone in a heartbeat. Knowing that, why do we keep procrastinating? Why do we keep postponing our dreams?

We always think the time is not right, we don’t have the resources we need, we don’t have enough knowledge, we don’t have any support; the list is endless.

I was just like that. I always dreamed of going full-time with my personal training business. But even though I felt depressed, kind of empty inside…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/_flUbQ9jG1w/

“We’re here for such a short period of time. Live like you’re already dead, man. Have a good time. Do your best. Let it all come ripping right through you.” ~Jeff Bridges

Yesterday, a Chinese exchange student we hosted two years ago texted to let me know her mother would like to invite my family to visit them in Nanjing—and she would pay for our plane tickets and let us stay at their vacation home.

Of course I told everyone I know (I mean, China! C’mon!) and they all said, “You’re so lucky!” And it’s true…we are lucky.

However, there’s more to our luck than, well, luck. Receiving amazing opportunities is a function not of waiting around and wishing for good things to happen, but of going out and living life to the fullest so good things can’t help but come to you.

The China trip is one example: Since 1997 we’ve hosted fourteen exchange students for periods of time lasting from one month to the whole school year.

Our friends and relatives have always thought we were nuts to take on the inconvenience and expense. (No, you don’t get reimbursed for hosting.) But we consider hosting foreign exchange students to be part of our civic duty, a lot of fun, and a good learning opportunity for …

Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/04/08/473548273/philly-wants-to-tax-soda-to-raise-money-for-schools?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=thesalt

Philly Wants To Tax Soda To Raise Money For Schools

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April 8, 20164:44 PM ET

Heard on All Things Considered

…

Source: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2016/04/11/why-you-should-stop-dramatizing-your-fitness-and-health-goals-a-plea-for-easy-bottle-battles/

This is an article from NF Team Member Staci.

I recently decided to re-play the Legend of Zelda – the game that got me hooked on video games – and  I made one big observation:

The boss battles are really weak.

Seriously, you go through the dungeon, through countless rooms full of ridiculously hard bad guys, just to get to a boss that takes three or four hits. Yep –  a few hits and you’re done.

But then I got thinking – maybe this is how it is SUPPOSED to be. Maybe boss battles shouldn’t be built up to be ridiculously hard. And maybe boss battles shouldn’t be so hard in real life, either.

The first time I played the Legend of Zelda I immediately got my sword and wandered around for a few screens until I found the first dungeon. And so I entered, promptly died over and over again, and yelled and cried at the screen until I convinced my cousin to help me out (hey, I was 5).

“You can’t just go into the dungeon right off the bat and expect to beat it, dummy,” he said.

Uhf, okay. So I tried it again, this time starting with the process of beating countless enemies and learning the basics of the game before I went back to the dungeon. And 5-year-old me learned an important lesson… because this time I beat it easily on my first try.

This second time around as an adult, I headed into the game with the e…

Source: http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2016/04/11/cookie-monster-to-altitude-master-how-jason-fitzgerald-upgraded-his-diet-and-never-felt-better/

I’m on vacation this week and have asked my Nutrition for Runners co-author, running coach Jason Fitzgerald of Strength Running, to share a guest post on how his diet has changed (and consequently, his running) since meeting me and writing our nutrition program together. Read on to see how he went from cookie monster… to altitude master.

Cookie Monster to Altitude Master:
How I Upgraded my Diet & Never Felt Better

by: Jason Fitzgerald

Everything changed when I met Anne. I stalked her on Twitter for a few weeks (c’mon, everyone does it!), reading her thoughts on nutrition and staring dreamily at her fan(ne)tastic food porn. I knew at the time that I needed to work with a Registered Dietitian – but not just any dietitian. I needed an RD who understood runners (because she was one herself!) and how to eat for maximum recovery, fueling, and energy. So after a few email…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/5HQTdSuD2zo/

“If your forever was ending tomorrow, would this be how you’d want to have spent it? Listen, the truth is, nothing is guaranteed. You know that more than anybody. So don’t be afraid. Be alive.” ~Sarah Dessen

Sometimes it takes a traumatic experience to make us face our fears and start living the life we truly desire.

I spent many years letting fear hold me back from pursuing my dreams. I was afraid that I would not be good enough, strong enough, or smart enough to accomplish the big goals I had for myself. I didn’t think I was special and I definitely didn’t think I deserved to be successful.

The day that all changed was the day my father nearly died of a heart attack. I didn’t know it at the time and I never imagined anything good would come from that experience, but to say that day dramatically changed my life would be an understatement.

That day, we were told my father had about a 1 percent chance of living and if he did, he would likely have brain damage.

The weeks that followed led my family and me on an emotional roller coaster. My dad slowly improved, but his memory was lacking. It was devastating to us when he couldn’t remember the Disney vacation we just went on or that he had a seven-month-old grandson.

By some miracle, my fathe…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/make-friends-and-be-less-awkward?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

If you wanted to do well in school, you asked a teacher for help. The same principle applies if you’re practicing sports, learning instruments, or even making friends. In this video from BuzzFeed, a self-described awkard guy hires a life coach to help him get better at making friends. The best part? The video offers several helpful tips and challenges anyone can use to kick-start their social life:

Pro Tips: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get it right the first time. Becoming more social doesn’t have to mean becoming someone else. How the conversation goes isn’t your responsibility. Common interests are the foundation to any relationship. Trading information is key to a good conversation. Focusing on the other person gives you the freedom to feel less self-conscious. Challenges: Talk to someone new every day. Get to know your friend crush. Buy a drink for a stranger at a bar. Hang out with a guest in your apartment. …

Source: http://clubindustry.com/profits/soulcycles-co-founders-resign-co-chief-creative-officers

Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice resigned their positions as co-chief creative officers but will continue to serve on the company’s board, according to a report from Fortune.

read more

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Source: http://refineryfitnesspdx.com/toxic-chemicals-to-avoid-for-better-health/

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!

I hope you are enjoying this absolutely gorgeous weather.  Oh my goodness, the warm weather and sunshine makes me so happy!

Now I don’t want to put a damper on your day, but I was recently asked if I would share some of the toxic chemicals to avoid.  I know that this topic can be confusing and want to help weed through this important information.

Did you know that your skin is a “breathable” organ?

Up to 60% of what you apply topically on your skin will be absorbed into your bloodstream, and children absorb even more than that.

Imagine that products you’ve been using for years actually contain harmful ingredients and could damage your health. If so, your first instinct would be to find a healthier alternative, pronto!

Below are a few of the toxic chemicals that should be avoided:

Parabens – often found in deodorants & moisturizers, parabens are hormone inhibitors & believed to accelerate tumor growth
Artificial fragrance & color – may trigger allergies, asthma, and some colors contain lead & harmful dyes
Toulene – found in nail polish, hair color products, and some fragrances, this chemical is linked to kidney & liver damage, which may affect fetal growth
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate/Sodium Laureth Sulfate – a foaming agent found in shampoos and body/facial washes, it dries out the skin & is linked to eczema, hair- loss, rashes, and dry and scaly …