As you may or may not recall, I made a little post a few weeks back about Starbucks latest gimmick marketing idea, “+Energy”; basically a vitamin boost in your coffee.

The idea struck me as fundamentally bad, but that’s probably just because I’m a born skeptic. But it turns out I might have actually had valid reasons for trashing the idea! I know, right? Me, actually backing up a claim…

As recently brought to light by ABC news, a recent study by JAMA has shown that vitamin supplmenets might actually be killing us. They’re still trying to figure out if so and why, but the bottom line is that taking lots of vitamins is just as bad or worse as taking none. They’re not saying don’t take them, but moderation is key. So don’t eat vitamin-enriched Cheerios, followed by a Starbucks “+Energy” when you get to work, a vitamin water with lunch and a supplement before bed. I mean, unless you want to die. But then you might as well take up smoking and heavy drinking (it’s more fun that way).

So maybe it will turn out that all those healthfood trends are actually totally toxic. Vitamins, colonics, tofu… I’m telling you, it’s just a matter of time before they discover wheatgrass shots are actually deadly. Nothing that foul could possibly be good for you…

Photo by DRB62 and awesomeified by Louis

We all know that soda is full of junk. And deep down inside we all know that stuff is terrible for us. Well now we know one of the many reasons why.

According to an article in the British paper the Daily Mail:

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola is phasing out a controversial additive that has been linked to hyperactivity and causing damage to DNA.

The chemical Sodium Benzoate, also known as E211, is used to stop fizzy drinks going moldy.

But recent research has shown that the chemical can deactivate parts of DNA, the genetic code in the cells of living creatures.

Deactivates part of the DNA?!?

And what’s even more frightening is that sodium benzoate is a very widely-used preservative.

But the best part of this all is that Coke might only be phasing out the usage of that crap only in the UK. They might very well keep using it here at home.

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Even though Los Angeles boasts some of the most temperate weather in the country, many people still insist on doing their workouts within the confines of an indoor space where the recycled air mixes with the scent of many perspiring bodies. Why spend an hour on the treadmill looking at a wall or a television when you can find more invigorating workouts in the great outdoors?

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood in Manhattan Beach is God’s (and the Devil’s) gift to those who believe a workout is pointless unless it causes a near-death experience. The 100-foot sand dune at Sand Dune Park looks innocent enough from afar. You think, It’s just a big sand hill. What’s the big deal? Then you begin your ascent.

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Lactose intolerant? Allergic to peanuts? Can shellfish kill you?

Well, the good folks over at Angelenic have taken it upon themselves to scope out the most food-allergy friendly restaurants in the downtown area. They checked in with over half a dozen places, and you might be surprised to find out what they discovered (or you might not be).

Check out their review and their advice!

Photo by Dan4th

Looking for an incentive to get off the couch and put those muscles to work you never knew you had? How about a group athletic shin-dig? Sounds nerdy, I know, but whether it’s running, swimming, or whatever, exercising with other people is A LOT more fun than by yourself. Here’s some events to get your mind in the sports mindset and your limbs a-movin’.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
1. Live Well FREE Weekly Walk/ Run.

• Every week! (In case you’re worried, it technically says until January 1, 2011. Phewph.)
• Live Well Chiropractic & Pilates Center
  5553 West Pico Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90019

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2. NIKE Run Club at The Grove.

• Again, a nice, routine weekly deal: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.
• NikeWomen Store, The Grove
  189 The Grove Dr.
  Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Can’t make it Wednesdays? Come Thursdays, also at 6:30pm, at:
• Niketown Los Angeles
  9560 Wilshire Blvd.
  Los Angeles, CA 90212

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As a character designer I have to draw all types of people and creatures, but all of us have a particular type of person we like to draw off the clock. Mine is curvy women. This week I’ve been drawing more than my usual amount of them.

There’s been so much debate over the size zero issue, but apart from the odd overboard celebrity, I’ve rarely seen women that size walking around here. What’s nice about LA is the variety of women here. The publicized women do tend to be of intimidatingly slim proportions, but we also have many Latino women who always have wonderful curves. I’ve heard such mixed reactions; some women say it’s hard to be curvy here due to Hollywood’s influence, but others embrace the fact that LA is such a diverse city.

I’ve been particularly influenced this week by Beth Ditto from punk band ‘The Gossip’, who is a plus sized girl, who often strips down to her underwear during shows. I liked her because she’s fierce - she doesn’t buy into the stereotype of ‘big girl = big jolly personality’. Ditto is sexy and unapologetic, she even appeared on the front of music magazine NME naked.

I think you just have to be happy with yourself. Size zero and obesity are obviously two sides of the scale, but as long as you’re healthy and comfortable with yourself, what does it matter.

I can’t tell anyone about this. It’s too good. It’s too special. And yet, here I go.

When my heart sings, it’s rarely for anything but food, love or nature. (And the occasional cute dog). The first time I went to Franklin Canyon it was reverberating with hidden chords of nature-joy. The second time, a balmy, lazy afternoon on New Year’s Eve when I surprised my boyfriend with a picnic, well, it was full blown Operatics. Let the glory of Franklin Canyon be revealed to you in the same way by honoring Spring with a little picnic of your own! Just please don’t tell anyone.

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With Passover on its way, I figured it was about time I got in touch with my cultural roots differently than I usually do. My typical practice often involves a bagel, lox and a nice schmear. This time, my efforts extended beyond wielding a cream-cheese-laden knife and washing that fishy smoked salmon scent off my hands. I went full tilt this time, people, and cooked up a nice batch of Jewish penicillin. That’s right, chicken noodle soup!

Oy vey!

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It’s pretty easy to assume that the only horses you’ll see in LA are the ones on Polo shirts and Ferraris, but don’t be so hasty. The horse is alive and kicking right in the heart of Burbank at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The LAEC is a massive complex situated on Riverside Dr. adjacent to Griffith Park, just east of the Disney studio lot. Rows and rows of barns house all kinds of horses and trainers; multiple outdoor and indoor arenas almost always have someone riding in them. There’s also a place where you can take a guided trail ride through Griffith Park, and although their cash-only, waiver-signing policies are somewhat alarming, it’s totally worth the twenty bucks you’ll spend.

Nearly every weekend there is a horse show or event happening at the LAEC; if I’m in Burbank on Saturday or Sunday, I always stop by to see what’s going on. There’s no admission or gate attendant and there’s tons of free parking. All you have to do is get there, wander around and enjoy the powerful beauty of the horse.

Check out their website for directions and a calendar of events.
Los Angeles Equestrian Center,
480 Riverside Dr. Burbank, CA 91506

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The city of Naples, in Italy, had a problem. Local dumps were full, and there was also some mob-related troubles involving waste-disposal in the area. As a result, people resorted to illicit dumping and even burning of their waste. So it’s only natural that after not too long, horrible chemicals found their way into the food chain.

Why should you care?

You should care because Naples is the world’s largest source of buffalo mozzarella. And high levels of the carcinogen were found in certain samples!

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The leading cause in bankruptcy in the United States is unpaid medical bills.

Millions of us go without insurance because we can’t afford it, and many more of us fall into debt when something big happens; constantly pursued by debt collection agencies. Children without insurance are less likely to receive medical attention for serious injuries, recurring ear infections or for asthma. The death rate in any given year for someone without health insurance is twenty five per cent higher than someone with it.

Why can’t we find a fix? Why does every politician that attempts to provide a solution get shot down or offer something that sounds way too much like they don’t want to piss of the politico-pocket-lining insurance companies?

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You don’t have to be super-fit nor super-rich to help these charities monetarily and your body physically. Here are two easy ways to feel good about yourself as a person and your body as a hot, new, running (or walking) cardio-machine!

1. Run and help neglected children at the same time at the 3rd Annual BBSA Run/Walk to Benefit the Aviva Center.

I don’t know about you, but I’d feel pretty darn heroic after participating. You pay a teeny-tiny $10 registration fee, all of which goes directly to the Aviva Center, “dedicated to helping at-risk, abused, and neglected children.” Now come on, as you’re debating whether to put on those jogging shoes or not, just think of these poor kids. There’s no backing out of this one- you’re on the path to fitness and philanthropy!

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