UCLA researchers took a bunch of lab rats, fed them Count Chocula, and then asked them to complete The New York Times crossword puzzle. Kidding, most rats prefer sudoku.

Actually, the researchers enrolled the rats in a five-day maze training session. Really. One group was given brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids in the form of flaxseed oil and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while the other group was not. BOTH groups of rats were fed high fructose corn syrup instead of water.

After six weeks of this the rats were put back in the maze, you know the maze that they learned like the back of their hands, or flippers or claws, or whatever rats have instead of hands. The rats that did not get omega-3 fatty acids were all continue reading…

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Pink Slime Problem: There’s Pink Slime filler in some ground beef. Even when the label reads 100% ground beef. Pink Slime MAY sound like a funky new smoothie for your kid’s next sleep over but it’s so not. “Pink slime is the term used for a mixture of beef scraps and connective tissue (formerly used only for pet food and rendering) that is treated with ammonia hydroxide to remove pathogens like salmonella and E coli. These so-called “Lean Beef Trimmings,” are produced by Beef Products, Inc.” Source: Change.org – More on Pink Slime.  Avoiding the slime seems like a healthy choice, so how?

Pink Slime Strategy: You can do a few things. Look for the USDA Organic Label seen to the left, call your own grocery store and ask, or check this list of grocery stores that say they will not sell beef with the pink slime. Also ask your local school district. Read this if you’re worried about your child’s school lunches. The more you know, the more you ask, the more you’ll be able to avoid pink slime if you want. There’s no evidence that the stuff is dangerous. However NOT knowing what is in our food is unacceptable. You may decide that pink slime cooked medium well with an onion and ketchup on a kaiser roll is the perfect meal. But you deserve to know what’s in that perfect meal AND what your kid is served at school.

Red Meat Problem: You better really like that juicy steak because it could kill you! We’re not talking re-animated zombie cattle bent on consuming your brains, oh no! We’re talking this study which reports, in a nutshell, “Results show people who eat one serving of red meat per day increased their risk of dying by 12 percent. But replacing that serving of red meat with a healthier protein option like fish, poultry, legumes or nuts cuts the risk of dying by as much as 20 percent.” Now I argue that your risk of dying is 100-percent – no matter WHAT you eat. But the study says red meat increases the odds of cancer and heart disease.

Red Meat Strategy: Red meat, pink slime, all these colors can be confusing, but here’s the red meat strategy. Go for leaner proteins like chicken and fish. Enjoy your steak dinner the way god intended, steak dinner is suppose to be for celebrations. When someone is promoted or graduates bust a move with your red meat self. BUT avoid,  ”Woohoo it’s Tuesday steaks for all my men.”  Shy away from, “Yippee Glee isn’t a re-run let’s eat bacon!” Use this increase- the-chance-of-death scariness to get creative with your cooking, try Meatless Monday! Or ToFuesday! OR just say to your subjects, “I am going to LIVE LIVE until I die. Bring me my stake!.” And forget the whole thing.

Spicy Meals Good for the Heart: Now let’s end on a positive note. There’s new research that shows and we quote, ” a spicy meal helps cut levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in the blood — even when the meal is rich in oily sauces and high in fat.” Read more here. This is good news for spice lovers everywhere. So like the Ottoman’s of ancient times take the spice route!

Spicy Strategy: Shake shake shake! Shake your spices. Go to the spice aisle at the grocery store and get something new. My newish favorite, garam masala! Zumba your little butt off and then shake your shaker of something hot on your meal. Personally cauliflower seasoned with chili powder and pepper then roasted in a hot oven has been a favorite of mine lately. This is the one bit of fun health news so grab it with both hands baby and hang on.

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Dear Diet Buddy,

I want you to know I think you are perfect inside and out right now. The way you are is beautiful. I respect you for taking control of your nutrition and strength, not because I don’t think you are lovely today, but because I know you want to be healthy for years to come.  I hope you feel the inner strength and confidence you inspire in others when they see you stick to your commitments. I also want to thank you for helping me become healthier. Because you encourage me I am reminded why it is important for me to work at this – so I am healthy for years to come.

Happy Valentine’s Day Diet Buddy.

Your Diet Girlfriend,

Rebecca Regnier

Is your Valentine on a diet? I know you want to show your love to your sweetie but at the same time you don’t want to be an enabling no good diet saboteur! Perhaps chocolate isn’t the BEST choice this year. Never fear…

Here are some ideas for your Valentine on a Diet

Perfume
Flowers
Cash (but careful on this one – timing is everything here)
Jewelry
Gift Certificate to Fancy Makeup Place
Figure out WHERE Your Honey Gets Her Hair Did and buy something from her salon. (Maybe a treatment, massage, nails, ask her stylist what she’d like, she knows more than you)
Offer to take a nice walk at the park together – romantic, free, AND healthy. Trifecta there loverboy.

Do NOT get the following items if your Valentine is On A Diet

Chocolate shaped anything
Fitness Classes (That’s obnoxious – we’ll work it out in our own time.)
Spanx or Lingerie (You don’t know what you’re doing so just don’t.)
Candy Anything (A few fistfulls of candy hearts and we’re all oh hell with it. I’ll start again after St. Patrick’s Day.)

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