Salads = phytochemical wonderlands!

We treat our bodies pretty poorly in college. We stay up late, we put our livers to the test (daily), and we eat a whole lot of unhealthy treats. And we feel the effects on Monday morning when we’re trudging to class in pants that barely fit and a foggy, unhappy brain.

What if I told you making one small change could give your body a boost? No, I’m not going to tell you to stop drinking beer – that would be unrealistic – but I am gonna tell you to start indulging in phytochemicals.

Phyto-wha?
I know – when I first saw that word I had to Google it too. Allow me to break it down:

A recent study found that eating food containing phytochemicals at the beginning of a meal prevents oxidative stress, which can cause obesity, heart disease, joint disease, diabetes, and more.

So basically, You + Phytochemicals = Thin, Disease-Free You!

Understandably, I’m a HUGE fan. And I’m ready to hit up the phytochemical aisle at my campus grocery store.

So where can you find phytochemicals? Think healthy, plant-based foods like leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. You don’t need acai berry for this; stick with what you know! In fact, they say that wonder pills and even juices (apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.) aren’t as beneficial for you as fresh/frozen fruits and vegetables. The study specifically mentioned the great phytochemicals in garlic, tomatoes, soy, carrots, red wine, whole grains… Wait, red wine? You know we love any excuse to down a box of red…

In order to get the best health benefits from our food, we are encouraged to “…go back to the whole sources of food, the nonprocessed foods if we can help it.” So even swapping some raw almonds for your typical granola bar on the way to class, or drinking tea instead of coffee will help add more phytochemicals to your diet.

Order matters, as well.  Eating the healthy foods BEFORE the unhealthy foods is better. This is news to me, as I usually eat vegetables or fruit after the unhealthy stuff. Usually because eating that plate of cheese fries makes me feel fat, so I follow it up with a nice, hearty celery stick. But the key is to eat the celery before the cheese fries so I will fill up on more-nutrient dense/lower calorie foods first and take in fewer calories later.

Basically, to help you stay thin and disease-free:

* The more colorful your plate is, the better. (Natural colors from fruits & vegetables, not Skittles.)
* Swap any processed foods (even relatively healthy granola bars) for unprocessed fruits, vegetables, etc. whenever possible.
* Eat the healthy stuff before the unhealthy stuff. You’ll end up eating less calories and fat.

We’re in college so we all know we won’t be giving up on the cheese fries and pizza anytime soon, but if we just balance it out with more nutritious options when we can, we’ll feel it in our bodies. And in our jeans. When we sit down. And there’s no muffin top.

Don't trust 'em. These things are dangerous.

They come in all different colors, styles, and sizes. They’re a part of our daily uniform during the summertime (Editor’s Note: And if you’re me, they stay in rotation until the snow begins to fall); we wear them to the beach, to work, or when we’re just hangin’ out in the house. Some people may hate on flip flops, but they are truly god’s gift to mankind (after Channing Tatum and Coldstone Creamery, of course).

A gift that can kill us all, according to a new study by TODAY.
Seriously, after reading this you might wanna think twice before flippy flopping around town.

After testing some footwear, health scientists discovered that there were more than – are you ready for this – 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. Did you just look at your feet in disgust? Yeah, me too. But what is even more disturbing than the number of bacteria on your favorite footwear is the type of bacteria that consumes them. We’re talkin’ bacteria from fecal matter (that’s poo, ladies!), skin and respiratory germs, even bacteria that causes yeast infections and diaper rash. Oh, and the scariest? The potentially lethal germ, Staphylocaccus aurerus (AKA staph infection).

Dr. Philip M Tierno, director or NYU’s Langone Medical Center, said that these bacteria “can give you a serious infection like a boil, or more serious, it could possess toxins.  They can make you very sick or kill you.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa; slow down there, Dr. Tierno. Does this mean I should fear my Havaianas more than I fear those creepy flasher guys that hide in parks when I go running?

Well yes and no.  The dirty grounds that we walk on (think about it: city streets, public bathrooms, etc.) contain a whole lotta nasty-I-don’t-even-wanna-knows on them, and since our feet are completely exposed when wearing flip flops, our skin is obviously coming in contact with ‘em. And sometimes those germs are lethal. So, what do we do about this?

Instead of ruining a cute summer dress with a not-so-cute pair of sneakers, just be wary and protect yourself:

- Avoid touching your flip-flops and your unwashed feet
- Wash your hands often
- Remove your shoes when you are in your home.
- Limit your use of flip-flops if you can.  I know it’s devastating, but try and save them for the beach and the pool, and wear more protective sandals for your daily wear.
- Toss those flips after a year. Yes, even those Rainbows.

Considering that flip-flops aren’t the best for walking anyway (they give you zero support and can injure your feet and calves) this new bacteria news might not be something to ignore.  Hey, if nothing else, it’s a good excuse to go shoe shopping, right?

I remember those naive high school days when puking during a rager meant that a) you couldn’t control your liquor and b) the party was over, for you. That’s why I was shocked one night during my freshman year of college, when my friend came back from the bathroom and proudly announced, “Oh, man, I just puked my brains out!”

I immediately switched to babysitter-mode. “Are you okay? Do we need to leave?” I asked, fully concerned.

“Nope!” My friend replied. “Got more room for beer now!”

At the time, this was an unprecedented occurrence to me. I’d never considered the theory of “puke and rally.”

A few years later, I’ve totally become acquainted with this practice. One summer, after a coworker tried unsuccessfully to light three consecutive shots of Sambuca on fire in mouth, I knew that that much booze so quickly was not going to be good. After the third shot went down, I booked it for the bathroom and barfed. A friend was worriedly knocking on the bathroom door, concerned as I had once been for my own friend. I opened the door, and she asked if I was okay. My response?

“Let’s rage!”

It wasn’t until the next day that I’d admitted to vomiting. The funny thing is that, at the time, this seemed logical. But as I’m writing this, I am already imagining the scathing comments this article will receive from disgusted CC readers.

The truth is, there are thousands of college girls across the country who have taken to this procedure. Not only is it easy to think you’re sobering up by sticking your finger down your throat midway through the night (newsflash, you really aren’t), but, in today’s media-crazed, looks-obsessed society, there’s a lot of pressure for women to keep the freshman (or sophomore, or junior, or senior) fifteen off. And a lot of the time, getting rid of the empty alcohol calories seems like the way to go.

It’s a lot easier to induce vomiting when you’re already close to naturally letting go, or when you’re buzzed enough not to feel your index finger scraping your tonsils. And then there’s the midnight munchies. You know, when that chicken parm calzone, side of curly fries, and half order of mozzarella sticks sobers you up enough to know that you’re going to want to throw up in the morning just thinking about all those calories. So, ladies, what do many of us do? We throw up.

Vomiting due to drinking doesn’t have the stigma that true bulimia has. Bulimia is a disease. Binge drinking in college is merely a social problem. Besides, there’s always the “that hit me way too hard” excuse. If you’ve thrown up from drinking, chances are, people will assume it was a freak incident, but if your friends suspect you of having an eating disorder, they will call for intervention. So making yourself throw up with the “well I was drunk” excuse doesn’t seem so bad.

The truth? Purging is purging. You can’t make excuses to your esophagus when it is being eaten away by the stomach acid you just conjured up. And if you’re drinking to excess every night and consistently blowing chunks before hitting the hay, you better write an apology letter to your liver as well.

So, ladies, let’s make a pact – let’s not over-do the binging, and let’s not rely on purging as a quick solution to our bad decisions. Besides, what happens when you run into a hot guy at the end of the night, and your breath smells (and tastes) like stale beer, vomit, and the lingering aromas of cheese fries?

That just so happens to be a beer.

The students are hoping to create a genetically modified strain of yeast that will ferment the beer while also producing resveratol, a substance in grapes that has been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease and cancer.

The brew will be known as BioBeer, and if all goes well, we will all soon be drinking/chugging/bonging/beer ponging/keg standing to our health.

Literally.

Great work, students of Rice University. Great work indeed.

[Photo courtesy of www.united-nations-of-beer.com]

We always hear about the obesity epidemic in America: It’s a major issue! People are dying! Fat people are evil! While it’s true that being overweight can lead to serious health problems, it is not true that being overweight automatically means being unhealthy.

Which explains the new “Fat Acceptance” movement that is spreading across the country. Activists and supporters of this movement are screaming from the rooftops that being fat is OK, and as long as people are making good choices to support a healthy lifestyle it should not matter what size pants they wear.

And I totally concur. I cannot tell you how sick I am of salads, fad diets and feeling guilty when I want a Potbelly Oreo Shake so badly I could punch someone. So, you know what? I’m joining this movement and I urge you to do the same. Stop kicking yourself for enjoying a hot dog at your football tailgate. Stop crying after a late night pizza binge.

Put down that carrot and join me in embracing ourselves, no matter what size we are. And what is the best way to do that? By enjoying some of life’s most delectable treats. Come on, it’s OK; fat is in!

Pumpkin Muffin from Dunkin Donuts

It’s the fall, so you have to have at least one. And trust me – it is totally worth it.

Oreo Cakesters

Like the real thing but bigger, softer and so much more delicious

Dairy Queen Blizzard (specifically, the Cheesequake)

OMG THESE THINGS ARE SO GOOD I COULD JUST DIE. No joke.

Cheese Fries

There is nothing better than fried potatoes smothered in cheese. Especially when you don’t care how fatty they are.

Big Mac

Beef: goooood. Cheese: Gooood. Bun: Gooood.

[Main photo courtesy of the NYTimes.]

Yesterday we talked about how to best protect yourself against breast cancer before the age of 40. Today we’ll tackle how to join the fight against the disease. From government policies to medical research, life and death decisions about cancer are made every day. No one can control this disease, but there are plenty of opportunities to fight it. Here’s how to get involved.

Run, Relay, Race

No matter where you live, noncompetitive running, walking and relay events are regularly available for participation. Designed to raise funds and awareness, these events are a great way to support the cause with friends, sneak in some exercise and celebrate survivorship.

In 2006, more than 450,000 walkers across the country took part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, raising over $40 million to help the American Cancer Society fight this disease.

Another amazing event to take part in is Relay For Life. Held in more than 4,800 communities across the country, teams of eight to 15 people camp out overnight and take turns walking around a track or path for 12 to 24 hours. The event usually begins with a survivor lap in which cancer survivors take a victory lap around the track. Afterwards, candles are lit to remember those lost to the disease.

Donate

Can’t stomach the thought of so much exercise? Donate. Whether it’s a one-time donation or a single pledge or regular, repeated donations throughout the year, every little bit helps. Click here to donate to breast cancer securely and confidentially online using your credit or debit card. You can also opt to send a check or money order via snail mail.

Volunteer

We’re all tight on money these days, so offer to participate. You can make a difference to breast cancer patients and survivors in your community with the simple click of a mouse. Visit the Network for Good to find a huge range of volunteer activities happening in your neighborhood.

You can also ask your local hospital or medical center for opportunities to loan your time and talents. For example, the Comprehensive Breast Center in New York offers group yoga and cooking programs for patients. Other organizations, such as CancerCare, provide transportation, home services and child care for those going through treatment. Find out where they’re most lacking in help.

Plan, Party, Pink

Ready to play hostess? If you’re interested in breast cancer fundraising, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and fill out their fundraiser questionnaire. Depending on your resources, NBCF will work with you to prepare an official agreement and plan your event.

If business is in your blood, consider selling pink items. The pink ribbon has become the international symbol of breast cancer awareness, thanks to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which first started handing out pink ribbons in 1991 at its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. Buy in bulk at the Pink Ribbon Shop (a portion of every sale is donated to cancer organizations) and donate the proceeds to a charity working towards finding a cure. To date Pink Ribbon Shop purchases have led to donations of $27,191!

Advocate, Educate

Breast cancer is a political, medical, psychological, social, and economic issue. It doesn’t start (or end) in a doctor’s office. Petition lawmakers, statehouses and Congress to make breast cancer a top priority. Promote early breast cancer detection by supporting educational funding and healthcare initiatives. Most importantly, endorse and back programs that increase innovative, high-impact research.

In 2004 the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) started the Sister Study, a nationwide study to learn about the environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer. Through continued donations and funding, researchers are close to their goal enrolling 50,000 diverse women in the program. Visit the Sister Study site here to find out how you can help.

Whether you are one of the thousands of women effected by breast cancer or hearing about the disease for the first time, every effort counts. Don’t wait to get involved!

Puppies are cute, snuggly Cancer detectors.

This can’t be the actual video, right?

Another book I really don’t want to read, but most definitely will.

You can never trust a man to do anything right.

I will never look at Ramen the same way again.

Why are we so addicted to watching rich people on TV?

Want to hate Spencer and Heidi even more? Find out how much money they rake in…for being annoying.

The Clothes that Got me Laid: better than a wingman.

Everyone hates “Project Runway” this season.

Ugh – I should have been a naval architect.

Looks like I won’t be watching the VMAs after all.

A: Don’t get yourself too worked up over it, but yes, you should get tested. Really, you should get tested after every new sexual partner (yes, oral sex counts). I’ll preface this by saying that I’m not a doctor–which is especially why you should see one–but I do strongly urge you to go get tested, for your health and more so, your peace of mind.

The greater the quantity of infected semen you’re exposed to, the greater the chances are that you may have something–of course, that’s assuming in the first place that the guy even has an STD. Since he didn’t ejaculate, you were at most, only exposed to pre-cum–so yes, it’s technically possible you caught something if he was infected, but the risk is low.

For something like HIV or hepatitis B, which is passed through the bloodstream, you would have to have had abrasions or cuts in your mouth (from a dental visit or biting your tongue, for example.) The same isn’t true for genital warts or herpes, which can spread through contact with the lesion. Even if you inspected his package with a microscope before going downtown, and you’re sure you didn’t see anything suspicious, remember that it’s still possible (but not super likely) to catch something even if there is no active, visible outbreak.

Haven’t convinced you yet? Let’s put it this way–even if you do end up testing positive, it’s not a death sentence. But not getting tested at all can be. We all know how HIV ends, but there are other STDs, like HPV and clamydia (both of which often have no symptoms at all), which if left untreated, can lead to cervical cancer or infertility. I’m assuming you plan on having sex at some point again the in the future. Something like chlamydia can be easily treated, but if you don’ t know you have it, you’ll just end up passing it back and forth with your partner, until it may be too late.

The purpose of all that was not to scare you, but I think having the facts reminds us how easy it is to spread infections to others, and how important it is to use protection and get tested regularly. So make an appointment and get tested–when it comes to your health, ignorance is not bliss.

Its science fiction time, friends!

A small lab in California claims to have cloned the embryos of two men, making it the “first documented demonstration that ordinary cells from an adult human can be used to make cloned embryos mature enough to produce stem cells”.

Although the lab says it destroyed the embryos after 5 days, they insist they have all their records and assure the public that the tests were performed numerous times. Experts have supposedly acted very “coolly” to this announcement, partly because of a clone hoax executed by Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk a few years back, and partly because the creation of cloned embryos has happened before. The big announcement, researchers agree, would be if a new stem cell line has been created.

Supporters of stem cell cloning say this new development will allow for treatment of certain diseases and possible “transplant material for conditions like diabetes and Parkinson’s”, while protestors don’t like the idea of scientists creating life and then destroying that life in labs.

Even though science has never been my thing (how many times did I fall asleep in Chemistry 105? Uncountable), the idea of cloning stem cells sounds both exciting and pretty freaking scary. The curing of deadly diseases? Good. The possible reproduction (as in, someone with the exact same face, body, and genetic make-up as their donor) of human life inside a Petri dish? Weird.

Unless they decide to start cloning Brad Pitt and Jake Gyllenhaal.

That would be fine.

I am already not a fan of this day.

I do my best to get up and into the shower without falling asleep and slamming my head against the tile wall. Running downstairs, gulping a few spoonfuls of cereal and grabbing my keys, I

make it out the door just in time.

The rain and 45 degree day seem fitting. As does the asshole who cuts in front of me and then stops short to stare at a dead squirrel in the middle of the road. I’ve forgotten how much I hate driving. Going back to New York will be a blessing in one big, public transportation way.

Snagging a gynecologist appointment at home was a stroke of luck, but as I pull into the familiar parking lot, I can’t help but feel the pre-visit jitters. It’s not that I’m afraid of those stirrups and cold metal speculums, I’m just not happy to see them. Ever.

My name is called before I can even begin to read the newest article in USWeekly (something about Jen and Angelina still fighting over Brad. Oh, the drama), and my height and weight are taken in the middle of the hallway, a nurse assuring me—before I can start to hyperventilate—that their scale is about five pounds off.

My impossibly nice and cheery doctor knocks on the door and pokes her head in, smiling when she sees me clad in that paper smock and sheet which always makes me feel like something serious is about to happen. Something seriously unfun.

We make small talk as I shift uncomfortably on the table and try to stop staring at the stirrups. Gotta keep the old peepers away from her small rolling table of tools and torture devices as well, least my blood pressure rise as she tries to take it.

Finally, she asks me if there’s anything I want to talk about. I breathe in, doing my best to seem adult and secure and oh-so-totally confident. Well, I say slowly and casually, I was wondering if I could get tested today. You know…for everything.

Tested? She raises her eyebrows. For VD’s?

Yes. I say, not sure if smiling is appropriate here. For those. All of them.

You’ve been using condoms, right? All the time?

I know this is standard questioning, and I nod vigorously as she smiles and starts to write something down, but I can’t help feeling immediately guilty. I mean, of course I use condoms. Never leave home without them. But…I’m sure I could have been safer. Somehow.

Are you monogamous?

I shake my head and watch her check off another box. It never bothered me before, the whole sex-without-love thing, but sitting in this office strewn with 1-800 numbers to call if you’re pregnant or suddenly stricken with disease, I start to feel a little…insecure.

Alright, she looks up and smiles. We’ll have you tested for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis, Herpes, and HIV.

Each name sends my stomach flip flopping. I try not to think about the fact that a few of those diseases are still a mystery to me as my doctor tells me to lie back. I try not to think about that damn speculum. I try not to think about Syphilis, and how for some reason I imagined no one but prostitutes from the 1800’s got it. And I really, really keep my mind away from the idea of HIV.

Once everything is all said and done (and I can stop pretending to relax while something cold and metal is jabbing my cervix), my doc cheerily tells me to go down to the lab for blood work. I’ll mail you the results, she says, unless…there’s something wrong. If there’s something I call my patients. Personally.

I make a mental note to wish for a postcard instead of a call.

Driving back from the appointment, 5 vials of blood lighter, shoulda beens and coulda beens bounce around in my head. It occurs to me then that all the wishing and praying in the world isn’t going to help me if something really is wrong, and that nothing is worth the fear of disease. I turn off the highway and make a pact with myself. No more sex without love.

Giving up something that was so-so for a perfect sexual conscience? Not the hardest decision I’ve ever made. Besides, once I meet and marry Jake Gyllenhaal, I’ll be able to have ample amounts of both.