SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

We All Should Communicate Compassionately

Just learned about a movement afoot to help people learn Nonviolent Dommunication (NVC) or compassionate communication.

The concept just really resonated with me, so I just had to share about it here.

I'm so grateful to members of my free online, KickSugar group. It was only because Linda, one of our members, that I learned about this way of communicating.

She said "This has helped me deal with people and myself so much better. I have much less stress with problem people."

This is definitely worth learning about.

As the NVC site explains, "this approach in communication emphasizes compassion as he motivation for action rather than fear, guilt, shame, blame, coercion, threat or justification for punishment.

"In other words, it is about getting what you want for reasons you will not regret later."

This is fascinating. You can even find a trainer to learn this technique.

What a cool group... As I've been wandering all over their website, I learned about their gratitude project, too..

Are We Lying to Ourselves About How Well We Eat and How Much We Exercise? Study Says So

We're lying to ourselves.

We think we lead a healthy lifestylye by eating nutritious foods and exercising a few times a week.

Wrong, we're fooling ourselves.

So found a recent survey of 400 American men and women conducted by Kinetix Living, a company that seeks to offer "a realistic approach to healthy living," by offering customized fitness and nutrition plans, step-by-step exercise instruction, recipes, and continuous support.

Look if we really were as healthy as we claim to be, points out the Netherlands-based FoodIngredientsFirst.com, then we'd be more healthy and active:

"So how come research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that only three out of ten people really get the government's recommended amount of physical activity and 60 percent of us are considered overweight?

Well, I guess you could say that we're unknowingly hypocritical.

"According to our study, most people think they know what to do to be fit, but most aren't really doing it," Jamie Brunner, CEO and co-founder of Kinetix Living, said in a statement.

"But the reality is that, for most people, there is huge disconnect between what they think they do vs. what they really do. Our research shows that people think that if they eat generally ok foods and exercise a little, they are living a healthy lifestyle."

Hmm. I can see how people deceive themselves. Back in my sugar-addicted days back in 1998 (and earlier), I really didn't realize just how much junk food I was tossing into my poor body. It was only after a doctor woke me up that I recognized the error of my quickie-carb ways.

Hey folks, want some help facing your reality? Need some friendly, non-judgmental, supportive encouragement to help you cope with your sugar truth? Yearn for compassion and information at any time of day or night?

Then join my free, online KickSugar support group, where anyone--of any age, weight, or sex is welcome--and has been since I founded it in November 2002.

Our mission in KickSugar is to help you quit or cut back on sweets and refined carbs so that you can become more healthy, live longer, improve your moods, boost your libido, banish brain fog, peel off pounds, and more.

We're here for you now.

One Third of Americans -- Some 73 Million Americans -- Either Have Diabetes Or They're on the Way There

When will Americans wake up and change their sugary, sedentary ways?

In case you're wondering I'm so morose, just check out this latest news:

A whopping one-third of Americans -- or 73 million Americans -- either already have diabetes or they're on their way to getting it, according to a study published in the June issue of Diabetes Care, the peer-reviewed journal published by the American Diabetes Association.

While the news is quite alarming, I believe that the figure stated is low. I contend that more than 73 million Americans have dangerous blood sugar conditions such as diabetes, pre-diabetes and hypoglycemia, which I collectively refer to as "SUGAR SHOCK!"

...Anyhow, back to the Diabetes Care study.

Specifically, researchers from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 19.3 million people (9.3 percent of adults aged 20 and older) had diabetes in 1999-2002.

They also found that the number of people diagnosed with the disease has risen -- from 5.1 percent between 1988-1994 to 6.5 percent of the population from 1999-2002. (The number of undiagnosed people remained the same -- at 2.8%.)

Meanwhile, in addition to the number of diabetics increasing, the researchers discovered that another 26 percent of American adults had "impaired fasting glucose (IFG)," a form of pre-diabetes that's generally considered a precursor to diabetes.

(If you have pre-diabetes, it means your glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Unless you change your diet and lifestyle, pre-diabetes often leads to diabetes within a decade.)

What's incredibly alarming is that --  as we've been hearing repeatedly -- in  many cases, people can stop diabetes in its tracks.

Bear in mind that I'm referring to the 95 percent of people with the disease who have type 2 diabetes, which means they experience a loss of insulin production and sensitivity that's usually linked to overweight and obesity.

The study's lead author pointed out as much.

"Despite the fact that we now know how to prevent type 2 diabetes in many cases -- through lifestyole changes that include weight loss and increased physical activity -- we continue to see this disease climb," Dr. Catherine Cowie, director of the diabetes epidemiology program at NIDDK,said in prepared statement.

You have to credit the ADA's Robert Rizza, M.D. -- president of the Medicine & Science division -- for rightly admitting, "Obviously, we aren't doing enough to convince people they need to make changes in their lives."

What gives? Why aren't Americans getting the message?

As Dr. Rizza pointed out, "Diabetes is a chronic and often debilitating disease that can cut short your life. The fact that we know how to prevent type 2 diabetes and we're still seeing this kind of increase is devastating."

Please, folks, take care of yourselves now before it's too late!

Are you overweight? Hooked on sweets and refined carbs? Suffering other mysterious symptoms. Let us help you.

Join my free, online, KickSugar support group now.

Neotame Quietly Added; Trans Fat Removed Without Fanfare

Given that I'm always on the watch for the latest developments in the processed food industry, I was especially intrigued by this article, "Kraft's sweet little secret," from Crain's Chicago Business.

In it, we learn all about how Kraft is quietly removing horribly unhealthy trans-fatty acids (trans fat) from their food products.

It was quite fascinating to learn, as the subtitle points out, that "Oreos are now trans fat-free, but the foodmaker isn't bragging about its healthier cookie."

But the part I want to draw your attention to has to do with sweetening processed foods.

We learn, thanks to reporter Julie Jargon, that "Chicago-based NutraSweet Co. is helping food and beverage companies replace sugar or corn syrup with neotame, an artificial sweetener."

Apparently, this is all being down quietly, according to NutraSweet Co. CEO Craig Petray.

"The goal is to reduce the sugar without people thinking they're getting reduced taste," Jargon quotes Petray.

Then comes one of my two favorite quotes from Jargon's article:

Shame on the U.S. Government for Dismal Diabetes Funding: Call to Congress June 7 to 9

Diabetes advocacy groups are understandably horribly upset and furious that the U.S. government is slashing funds to help fight diabetes in this country just as the number of diabetics has been increasing.

In order to attract the public's, media's and legislators' attention to this worthwhile cause, the American Diabetes Association is hosting a "Call to Congress" event June 7 to 9, when hundreds of diabetes advocates will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to ask the government to increase funding for diabetes research and prevention and to take a greater role in treatment and prevention.

In addition, a grassroots rally or "Call to Congress" day will be held at the US Capitol June 8, beginning at 10 am.

Members of Children with Diabetes will be there, and a huge Quilt for Life that features the handiwork and experiences of diabetic children will be on display at the National Mall.

The events in D.C. are intended to point out the fact that diabetes has risen by over 14 percent in the last two years so that 20.8 million Americans have diabetes (or 7 percent of the U.S. population). That's up from 18.2 million people in 2003. So this is certainly not the time to cut diabetes funding.

Despite the news that diabetes is on the rise, in its 2006 appropriations bill last year, Congress cut funding to the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by $9 million. It also slashed money to the.CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation by $300,000 -- the first time this division's funding was cut. (Does this make sense to you? Sure amazes me!)

Now, the proposed budget for 2007 calls for another cut for the second year in a year -- an $11 million cut to the NIDDK.

Special thanks to the Diabetes Blog and the Diabetes Education and Research Center for helpful background information.

U.S. Farm Policy -- i.e. Lower Prices in Corn & Soybeans (Hence High Fructose Corn Syrup and Trans Fats) -- Help Fuel Obesity Epidemic, Report Concludes

A new damning report about our U.S. farm policy provides just the insights, astute analytical comments, and suggestions that we need to wake up our policymakers and as-yet-unaware physicians, etc.

The much-needed report -- from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) -- singles out the U.S. farm policy -- which for the past 50 years has been driving down the prices of a few farm commodities, including corn and soybeans -- as a significant reason for our nation's obesity epidemic. Meanwhile, prices for fruits and vegetables -- grown with little government support -- have steadily increased.

Actually, the title of the 14-page document tells it all: "Food Without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity,"

You'll find some fascinating information in this research paper -- which makes sense since the IATP's goal is to work "globally to promote resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy."

You may be wondering specifically how low corn and soybean prices could play a role in making Americans fat.

Well, because corn and soybeans are priced so "artifically cheap" -- as the report puts it -- low, this has prompted a surge in production and sales of food substances that are really cheap to produce.

For example, the inexepensively priced high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years -- all because of the low price of corn. As you've read here recently, increasingly researchers have cited the over-abundance of HFCS in food products and the different way it is processed in our bodies as leading to fat storage.

Let's Start Promoting Fruits and Vegetables Like the Europeans Do

They have the right idea over in Europe. Let's start encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Although Europeans are eating worse now than they did 45 years ago -- with diets too rich in sugar and saturated fats, agriculture and right farming policies can help promote healthy diets, pointed out an economist with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The FAO's Josef Schmidhuber told representatives from member countries of the Regional Offices for Europe of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the FAO that the "FAO is actively promoting fruit and vegetable production for both health and for income-generation for producers," FoodNavigator.com reported.

Hurrah! Cool idea. Now why doesn't our government do that in a bigger way over here?

The FAO economist also said that an ongoing joint WHO/FAO initiative on fruit and vegetables represented "an exciting avenue for expanded cooperation in the health, education and agriculture sectors."

American leaders and celebrities, are you listening? We can get some ideas from our European brethen.

FYI, there is one organization which does a fabulous job getting Americans to eat plant-based foods: The non-profit Produce for Better Health Foundation is a consumer education foundation, whose "mission is to be the catalyst for creating a healthier America through increased consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables."

Thier innovative National 5 A Day Partnership is a collaborative partnership between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables for improved public health.

Isn't that great?

SugarShock.com Is Remodeled -- Launched Today!

Just thought I'd share the good news. After months and months of planning and lots of procrastinating on my part and my webmaster's part, etc., my website, www.SugarShock.com, has been remodeled.

It was just launched today!! Yeah!

This updated site is now much, much, much more search-engine friendly; more user-friendly to you, my dear readers; and more web-master friendly, too.

It also doesn't take up your entire computer screen -- we added some nice margins on both sides -- to make it easier on your eyes.

Jason Saeler, the webmaster who did the entire rehaul says that the revamped www.SugarShock.com will display more consistently on different browsers/computers, and it's much, much easier to update. (In theory, I should be able to do it myself and avoid extensive webmaster fees. We'll see about that -- I'm not the most tech-y kind of person.)

In the coming months, I'll be adding lots more content, but I was eager to get the remodeled site up.

Check out the remodeled site and let me know what you think.

The Power of Delaying to Squash Sugar Cravings

Did you ever see my article on eDiets.com, entitled, Squash Your Sugar Cravings?

If you're struggling with a sugar habit, you may find this article helpful.

Squash Your Sugar Cravings!

By Connie Bennett
Special for eDiets
Updated: May 17, 2006

1 | 2 | Next »

Quite often, wannabe Sugar Kickers ask me: “How can I curb my carb cravings to keep myself from tasting and then inevitably gobbling handfuls of cookies or crackers?” One of the most powerful and potent strategies is so simple that you’ll wonder why you never tried it in the first place. Simply hold off before doing anything -- especially something that you'll later regret. After all, if you mindlessly shove those fast-acting, Much-Like-Sugar Carbs in your mouth, you might later feel wiped out, spaced out, moody and depressed because the numbers on your scale continue to climb. Think about it: Just about all of us are good at delaying in the first place. You know how you keep putting off cleaning the house, giving your boss that proposal or even throwing out the garbage? More to the point, many of us are pretty darn good at procrastinating, right? I know I am. While I’m certainly not proud of this dubious skill, delaying, I've found, is a fun, clever way to give procrastination a positive spin! I hit upon this incredible strategy back in 1998 when I was told to kick sweets and simple carbs on doctor's orders. To this day, I'm struck by how easy, effortless and darn effective it is to just delay! Everyone of any age -- unless you’re maybe a tot -- can cultivate this tactic. All you have to do is promise yourself to hold off for a brief period of time. Then, you can delay over and over again, even for hours. Just think: The next morning you'll be relieved and proud of yourself that you didn't cave into your cravings. Here are seven ways delaying can be your remarkable ally to help you pull the plug on your unwanted sugar habit: -- more »

Interesting Dr. Neal Barnard Talk

Thanks to Tom from my free, online KickSugar group, who alerted us to a special URL, where you can hear a talk from Dr. Neal Barnard, when he discusses the addictive qualities of chocolate, sugar, cheese, and meat.

Dr. Barnard -- who I interviewed for my upcoming book, SUGAR SHOCK! -- points out that willpower is not to blame. Rather, he refers to some recent research, which suggests that sugar can release opiate-like substances, thereby hooking us.

Check out what he says at the beginning about capturing a baby's attention with sucrose. (Sad!)

Dr. Barnard -- founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine -- also discusses how the food industry, aided by the government, explots these natural cravings, which, in turn, push us to eat more of these unhealthy junk foods.

The video, from Oct. 14, 2003, comes courtesy of VegSource Interactive, Inc. Even if you don't agree with Dr. Barnard's views that a plant-based diet is the way to eat, you'll be intrigued, I believe, by his remarks.

SUGAR SHOCK! Blog's One-Year Birthday Happens Soon! Fun Prizes Planned

I hope you'll allow me to engage in a little self-congratulatory chat here.

Here's why: I just realized that on June 7, 2006, the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog will be one year old!

I'm excited! Happy Birthday (in advance) to my blog!

Stay tuned, because I'm going to announce an awards contest soon in which I will give away some exciting prizes.

For instance, winners will receive:

• Replays to the teleseminars offered as part of my 10-week Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown Program, for which I interviewed a number of experts;
• CDs to the two-part stress-reduction tele-seminar I conducted with Dr. Jill Baron;
• Gift certificates to Whole Foods Market
• Gift certificates to Wild Oats
• Admission to upcoming live tele-seminars that I'll conduct as part of my 21-Day, Kick-Sugar Countdown Diet™.
• And more.

Check back soon, because I'll announce details shortly.

P.S. If you're looking for posts that date back to June 2005, fret not! (As I did!) Phew! I just found out that Typepad (which runs my blog) lists only 10 months at a time. You can see previous archived posts here or on the new list I added, "All Archives."

Spotlight on American Institute for Cancer Research: Eating Lots of Plant-Based Foods Decreases Cancer Risk

I had the pleasure this morning of spending some time hanging out on the website of the American Institute for Cancer Research while doing some research.

If you're not aware of this group, it was founded in 1982 and has become, according to its website, "the nation's leading charity in the field of diet, nutrition and cancer."

Its goal is to foster research on diet and cancer prevention and educate the public about the results.

The organization makes some wise recommendations, in my opinion. Eating a lot of fiber-filled, nutrient-dense, plant-based foods is the best way to avoid cancer risk. But, of course, make sure not to take in too many calories, too.

The reason I'm bringing this up is that in the course of looking at a few things on their website, I ran across an intriguing article from dietitian Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN about "Glycemic Index Versus Calorie Control" about a recent research study. 

Collins write:

"A recent study punches a small hole in the popular theory that says a low glycemic index (GI) diet can influence our body’s hormones and make weight loss easier. According to this theory publicized by some researchers and diet books, we can avoid surges in our blood sugar, keep our insulin levels lower and put our bodies in a fat-burning mode, rather than a fat-storing mode, by eating foods with a low-GI value. Some research even suggests that controlling insulin levels with low-GI foods could help reduce the risk of certain cancers. But this new study shows that regulating your calorie intake could affect your weight more than a low glycemic diet."

While you may be inclined to just start counting calories, then check out Collins' conclusion, which basically recommends a fiber-dense, low GI diet with quality carbs as being the safest one to follow to decrease your risk of cancer.

"Even if glycemic load does affect weight control or cancer risk, it’s more than likely that calorie control has as much or greater influence. To incorporate both ideas in your eating habits, take appropriate portion sizes of mostly plant-based meals and snacks that include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. This type of diet should have a fairly low glycemic load. This type of diet with its many nutrients and phytochemicals also offers the most proven protection against cancer, when combined with regular exercise for optimal weight control."

Also see this other article, The Confusing Science on Carbs, which ultimately points out that "the women who ate low GI foods lost more than twice as much body fat as women eating mainly high GI foods."

And it, too, points out:

"When you think about the concepts glycemic index or glycemic load, keep in mind that it is best to see your diet as a whole package, rather than individual pieces. You shouldn’t choose foods just because they have a low GI, because you may deprive yourself of fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and overload your body with fat and protein. A mostly plant-based diet, which is associated with a lower risk for cancer and heart disease, tends to contain a lot of low GI foods and other beneficial characteristics like fiber. That’s why it’s the best choice for good health."

Right on.

While hanging out on the information-packed American Institute for Cancer Research website, I also found a wonderful press alert seeking to undo the damage of a misleading headline about a study. The organization ran this interesting item, "Carbs Cause Cancer." Stories Get It Wrong."

Special thanks to the hard workers at CalorieLab.com.

In New York Area? Hear Us Speak in Free, Fascinating Talks for National Women's Health Week

If you're in the New York area and have some time during the day, come hear a bunch of us speak at a fascinating, Holistic Women's Health conference in Brooklyn.

You'll get to hear some really exciting speakers -- all for free -- including Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MD, MPH, HHC -- who did a stupendous job organizing the event.

Just check out her impressive bio!

Wondering what this is all about? Basically, today (Mother's Day) begins National Women's Health Week.

For the next seven days, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other organizations nationwide are encouraging all women to "Reconnect to Your Health."

"One of the best gifts you can give your mother or yourself is to schedule a check-up visit with a health care provider," said Dr. Wanda Jones, Director of HHS' Office on Women's Health, as she announced the 7th annual National Women's Health Week.

Here are the details for the exciting events at which Bhaswati and others of us -- including, yours truly -- will speak:

HOLISTIC WOMEN'S HEALTH

Free Seminars Celebrating National Women's Health Week

Location: Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
374 Stockholm Street at Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
(If you're taking the subway, get off at the DeKalb Avenue stop on the L train, 15 minutes east of Union Square.)

Monday, May 15, 2006     11am - 5pm     5th Floor Conference Center, Room A
Holistic Stress Management For Women's Health  (If you're in the dark, "holistic" -- pronounced as "hO' lis-tik" means seeing the system as mind, body & spirit.)

11:00a  Etu Evans, MA, celebrity shoe designer – Landing on Your Feet and Creating Your Life
11:45a  Donna Sonkin, HHC, Visualization and Goal Setting Workshop
1:00p    Amanda Broomell, HHC – Pre-Menstrual Syndrome in the Healthy Woman
1:30p    Karen Seales, LMSW – Sexual Violence in Relationships
2:00p    Naina Marballi, BAMS – Beauty Care through Ayurveda
3:00p    Maya Bhagat, BT, HHC – Sugar Blues – Understanding Sugar Cravings
3:45p    Helen Jimenez, PT– Physical Therapy for Stress Management
4:15p    Andrea Beaman, HHC, celebrated TV's Top Chef – Cooking for Health

Wednesday, May 17, 2006     11am - 4pm     5th Floor Conference Center, Room A
Holistic Mini-Lectures
11:00a   Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MPH, MD, HHC – Sexuality and Healthy Relationship
11:30a  Ellen Rosenfeld, HHC – Digestive Health
12:00n  Julie Shah, CYT – Yoga for the Busy Office Woman – yoga demonstration
12:30p  Connie Bennett, MSJ, HHC, author – How Your Sugar Habit Could Harm Your Moods & Health (Yours truly!)
1:00p     Jenine Pontillo, HHC – Getting Weight into Control
1:30p     Windi Mirkovic, CNM, NP – Menstruation: Rethinking Our Relationship with the Moon
2:00p     Bala Ravi, MD – Talking with Women about Screening Tests
2:30p     Victor Brandeis, MD – Infertility, Relaxation & Herbal Remedies: Myth or Reality?
3:00p     Apryl Prince, HHC – Holistic Approaches to Mental Health for Women

Thursday, May 18, 2006     10am - 5pm    Wyckoff Women's Health Center, 2nd Floor
Holistic Women's Health Clinic
Walk-in consulations with Bhaswati Bhattacharya, MD – board-certified holistic physician (10am - 5pm): holistic health assessments with Jennifer Araujo, HHC (10am - 2pm); and walk-in reiki experientials with Hamida Mirza, CNM – The Gift of Reiki (10am - 12noon).

Friday, May 19, 2006     11am – 4pm    2nd Floor Outpatient Clinic Corridor,
Holistic Approach to Nutrition
Individual 30-minute assessments with Holistic Nutrition and Health
Counselors on a walk-in basis with:
Apryl Prince, HHC; Bhaswati Bhattacharya, HHC; Jenine Pontillo, HHC;
Randi Luckman, HHC; Jody Strimling-Muchow, MFA, Reiki practitioner,
HHC; Kate Barron, HHC; Geeta Trikha-Davies, HHC;

Sponsored by the Division of Complementary & Alternative Medicines at WHMC
Questions & RSVP:  718 907 4951
These events are FREE and open to all.

Our talks at the Holistic Women's Health conference are part of the National Women's Health Week and are supported by a grant from the Office on Women's Health, US Dept of Health & Human Services.

Special thanks to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), where I'm currently concluding my studies. IIN made it possible for me to hook up with Bhaswati. (Dr. Bhattacharya). Also, please note that several of my other classmates also will speak at this wonderful conference.

Make sure to say hi when you hear us speak!

It's Mother's Day. Support "Two Angry Moms"

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm again going to urge you to donate to the very worthwhile documentary project from "Two Angry Mom" Amy Kalafa and Susan Rubin.

If you support these two women, you will help them to reach two million moms or other interested people so that our nation's kids can be served better food in the schools. So, you may have a few questions as to why you should fund this project.

Here is an e-mail Q & A I conducted with the dynamic duo.

Why do you need to raise $40,000 and where does the money go? (Susan replies.)

"You make a good point. Most people do not understand anything about how a film gets made and why it would require any money. All the money goes to pay costs on the film. In the shooting phase, we have to pay for equipment, travel, camera people, audio recordists, a production coordinator, and videotape stock. My husband Alex and I have been doing a great deal of this work on our own. To date, we have filmed 80 hours of tape in 25 different locations!  We have about another 30 hours of taping to do in about 10 more locations, and all has to be done by June 17th.

"Then we move into the editing phase of the film -- a job that takes about 12 weeks of 12-hour days using a high end digital non-linear computer editing system (our estimate for this phase alone is $40,000).  NOT CHEAP. 

"And that's all before we even talk about rights for music, graphic design and the finishing work of transferring the digital material out of the computer and onto DVD and digital tape for screening. Then comes the work of marketing and distributing the movie nationwide...."

So after all this work, will you two make any money on this project? (Amy responds.)

"After all these costs are covered, then, and only then, Susan, Alex and I might get to pay ourselves for some the time we have spent researching, producing and promoting the project!!!! So far, I've contributed over 2,000 hours of my time to this cause, and I have used a great deal of my own money and resources as well.  I am tapped out and that's why we are making this appeal for help."

Do you have any ideas as to how you'll reach 2 million moms?

"The most effective way would be if EVERY mom sent  a note to EVERY mom on their email list. Please encourage everyone to pass it on. Also to blogs and newsletters."

Are there any other points you'd like to make?

"We will start to answer the question `Why is poor quality food so darn cheap?' and give strategies for changing that!"

Please give specifics as to what happens in September when the film is completed. (Amy answers.)

"Our plan calls for a theatrical premiere in major cities.  We'll follow the traditional route of entering the film in festivals and markets to find commercial distribution. However, I am most excited about our independent marketing plan that involves offering the film (for a fee) for use as a PTO, PTA or community fundraising event with a discussion afterward.  For an additional fee, Susan and I will make personal appearances at the events."

What's your deadline to raise the money?

"June 15th would secure the editing time, but we will continue to need funds as described above."

* * *

There you have it. You could be in on the ground floor of something really big.

As I mentioned previously a couple of times, I am hopeful -- heck, I predict -- that this documentary will become the new "Super Size Me."

So please donate now and make me a forecaster of good things to come -- as in better food for our children!

If you'd rather make your donation to the Two Angry Moms over the phone, just call (508) 748-0816 or email the benevolent Marion Institute indicating your interest at gifts@marioninstitute.org.

Want to know more first? No problem. Just click here and you get to see some of the compelling footage they've already created.

Cause of the Month: Help the "Two Angry Moms" Become 2 Million Moms! Goal: Improve School Lunches for Our Nation's Kids

Today, we start a new feature, "Cause of the Month," in which we'll spotlight worthwhile projects and programs that do much to advance the cause of improving our health habits (especially better nutrition), creating happier lives, and more.

Enter two formidable, take-charge, optimistic women -- Amy Kalafa and Susan Rubin -- who dub themselves Two Angry Moms.

Amy and Susan -- who both appeared March 15 in a tele-seminar as part of my Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown Program™ -- are now in the midst of creating an important documentary that, they hope, will ultimately change school lunches across the nation.

Armed with a movie camera, Amy and Susan are visiting school cafeterias nationwide to see exactly what foods are being offered and eating. The two moms are speaking to food service vendors, teachers, health experts, politicians and parents, as well as officials from the USDA and the FDA.

They're even examining the nutritional content of these lunches, addressing what's gone wrong with our School Lunch Program, and coming up with viable strategies to get real food into our nation's school cafeterias.

Amy and Susan are just two moms. But when Agricultural Secretary Susan Coombs said that it will take 2 million angry moms to change the school lunch program, the two committed women got an idea. They're now lining up 2 million angry moms (actually, you don't have to be a mom or angry to join their cause).

Now Amy and Susan like to say, "It's a movie. It's a movement."

Just check out the credentials of these amazing women:

Amy Kalafa is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, whose credits include numerous health education films and TV shows, including Dr. T. Berry Brazelton’s parenting show, “What Every Baby Knows”; as well as PBS specials, “Our Nation’s Health: A Matter of Choice” and “Healthy Aging." She also edited the Reiner Foundation’s, “The First Years Last Forever” and produced segments for "Martha Stewart Living."

Amy is a lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine and Psychiatry, a holistic health counselor, Lyme Disease consultant, certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, and an organic farmer. She and her husband Alex have two teenage daughters, who bring their lunches to school.

Susan P. Rubin D.M.D., H.H.C. is director of A Better Way Holistic Health, a private health counseling practice in Mount Kisco, New York. She takes a unique approach with her clients and brings in-depth knowledge to help people arrive at effective, drug-free solutions for a wide range of health related concerns. She also teaches cooking classes and conducts workshops and programs on many aspects of food, public health advocacy and holistic healing.

This year, Susan brought together educators, parents and health professioals to create the Westchester Coalition for Better School Food, whose mission is to increase awareness of the importance of feeding our children health-supportive foods in school. She and her husband, Ron, have three daughters.

Here's where you come in: These very talented and committed ladies need your lunch money!

In fact, they're raising $40,000 by the end of the month so I urge you to take my lead and donate now to Two Angry Moms. (Yes, I've contributed, too.) 

Again, if you agree that our nation's kids should be able to choose wholesome, nutritious food in schools instead of all that processed, sugary, nutrient-lacking crap, then you'll want to learn more abou this exciting venture.

So donate now to Two Angry Moms. If you help them make the film, Amy and Susan will even show it in your school district.

You can even view some clips here.

Just think about it: Given Amy's extensive film credits and Susan's impressive background, you could be in on the ground floor of the next Super Size Me!! Imagine how powerful this exciting film could be!

As I've said previously, I'm convinced that these 2 moms and their 2 million followers could make this film a huge hit. But that's just part of what all these women could do. Led by Amy, Susan, and other worthwile organizations, we could change what's served in our nation's schools. Isn't this exciting?

Remember, it's vital that we serve kids better foods or they could continue to gain weight, get diseases such as type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset diabetes), have difficulty learning in school, have mood swings, and ultimately die at an early age.

If you're not convinced of the value of serving nourishing, wholesome foods to kids, then check out this wonderful quote, which I found on Susan's organization, Westchester Coalition for Better School Food:

The actress/activist/junk food opponent Marilu Henner said:

"Research has shown that even small amounts of processed food alter the chemical balance in our brain and cause negative mood swings along with noticeable drips in energy."

Again, I urge you, especially in honor of Mother's Day, to donate to The Two Angry Moms.

If you have some unused frequent flyer miles, please donate those, too, so Amy and Susan can travel all over the country to interview experts, school officials and parents.

Special thanks to Glen Colello of Catch a Healthy Habit for first turning me onto these Two Angry Moms. Additional appreciation goes to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I'm now going to school) and the school's founder Joshua Rosenthal, for also mentioning this incredible film project.

Today, we start a new feature, "Cause of the Month," in which we'll spotlight worthwhile projects and programs that do much to advance the cause of improving our health habits (especially better nutrition), creating happier lives, and more.

Enter two formidable, take-charge, optimistic women -- Amy Kalafa and Susan Rubin -- who dub themselves Two Angry Moms.

Amy and Susan -- who both appeared March 15 in a tele-seminar as part of my Fast-Track, Kick-Sugar Countdown Program™ -- are now in the midst of creating an important documentary that, they hope, will ultimately change school lunches across the nation.

Armed with a movie camera, Amy and Susan are visiting school cafeterias nationwide to see exactly what foods are being offered and eating. The two moms are speaking to food service vendors, teachers, health experts, politicians and parents, as well as officials from the USDA and the FDA.

They're even examining the nutritional content of these lunches, addressing what's gone wrong with our School Lunch Program, and coming up with viable strategies to get real food into our nation's school cafeterias.

Amy and Susan are just two moms. But when Agricultural Secretary Susan Coombs said that it will take 2 million angry moms to change the school lunch program, the two committed women got an idea. They're now lining up 2 million angry moms (actually, you don't have to be a mom or angry to join their cause).

Now Amy and Susan like to say, "It's a movie. It's a movement."

Just check out the credentials of these amazing women:

Amy Kalafa is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, whose credits include numerous health education films and TV shows, including Dr. T. Berry Brazelton’s parenting show, “What Every Baby Knows”; as well as PBS specials, “Our Nation’s Health: A Matter of Choice” and “Healthy Aging." She also edited the Reiner Foundation’s, “The First Years Last Forever” and produced segments for "Martha Stewart Living."

Amy is a lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine and Psychiatry, a holistic health counselor, Lyme Disease consultant, certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, and an organic farmer. She and her husband Alex have two teenage daughters, who bring their lunches to school.

Susan P. Rubin D.M.D., H.H.C. is director of A Better Way Holistic Health, a private health counseling practice in Mount Kisco, New York. She takes a unique approach with her clients and brings in-depth knowledge to help people arrive at effective, drug-free solutions for a wide range of health related concerns. She also teaches cooking classes and conducts workshops and programs on many aspects of food, public health advocacy and holistic healing.

This year, Susan brought together educators, parents and health professioals to create the Westchester Coalition for Better School Food, whose mission is to increase awareness of the importance of feeding our children health-supportive foods in school. She and her husband, Ron, have three daughters.

Here's where you come in: These very talented and committed ladies need your lunch money!

In fact, they're raising $40,000 by the end of the month so I urge you to take my lead and donate now to Two Angry Moms. (Yes, I've contributed, too.) 

Again, if you agree that our nation's kids should be able to choose wholesome, nutritious food in schools instead of all that processed, sugary, nutrient-lacking crap, then you'll want to learn more abou this exciting venture.

So donate now to Two Angry Moms. If you help them make the film, Amy and Susan will even show it in your school district.

You can even view some clips here.

Just think about it: Given Amy's extensive film credits and Susan's impressive background, you could be in on the ground floor of the next Super Size Me!! Imagine how powerful this exciting film could be!

As I've said previously, I'm convinced that these 2 moms and their 2 million followers could make this film a huge hit. But that's just part of what all these women could do. Led by Amy, Susan, and other worthwile organizations, we could change what's served in our nation's schools. Isn't this exciting?

Remember, it's vital that we serve kids better foods or they could continue to gain weight, get diseases such as type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset diabetes), have difficulty learning in school, have mood swings, and ultimately die at an early age.

If you're not convinced of the value of serving nourishing, wholesome foods to kids, then check out this wonderful quote, which I found on Susan's organization, Westchester Coalition for Better School Food:

The actress/activist/junk food opponent Marilu Henner said:

"Research has shown that even small amounts of processed food alter the chemical balance in our brain and cause negative mood swings along with noticeable drips in energy."

Again, I urge you, especially in honor of Mother's Day, to donate to The Two Angry Moms.

If you have some unused frequent flyer miles, please donate those, too, so Amy and Susan can travel all over the country to interview experts, school officials and parents.

Special thanks to Glen Colello of Catch a Healthy Habit for first turning me onto these Two Angry Moms. Additional appreciation goes to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I'm now going to school) and the school's founder Joshua Rosenthal, for also mentioning this incredible film project.

Chocolate's Mood-Lifting High is Temporary, Researchers Say

Do you ever dash for chocolate to soothe your bummed-out feelings?

Do you hope that the sweet, creamy substance helps lift you up with a nice "high"? And it really does help -- at least ever-so briefly, right?

But then, don't you find -- almost as quickly as you can say "sugar buzz" -- that your feelings of melancholy and depression return?

Of course, many of us have learned this on our own -- that the chocolate we sought to boost our spirits only made us feel better very, very temporarily.

Well, researchers from the School of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales in Australia --- who assessed chocolate's alleged anti-depressant qualities -- came to much the same conlusion.

After reviewing research findings on the relationship between chocolate and mood, they explained in the Journal of Affective Disorders that:

"Any mood benefits of chocolate consumption are ephemeral."

(Yep, been there way back in 1998 and before. "Ephemeral" is exactly the word to describe the fleeting feelings of a "chocolate high.")

Reporter Hilary E. MacGregor of the Los Angeles Times offers her take on the chocolate study.

"There is no evidence that eating chocolate removes feelings of depression, the scientists found," she writes.

Now, let's see what the Australian researchers, headed up by Gordon Parker, a professor at the University of New South Wales, report in the Journal of Affective Disorders:

"Popular claims confer on chocolate the properties of being a stimulant, relaxant, euphoriant, aphrodisiac, tonic and antidepressant. The last claim stimulated this review....

"...We distinguish between food craving and emotional eating, consider their psycho-physiological underpinnings, and examine the likely 'positioning' of any effect of chocolate to each concept.

"RESULTS: Chocolate can provide its own hedonistic reward by satisfying cravings but, when consumed as a comfort eating or emotional eating strategy, is more likely to be associated with prolongation rather than cessation of a dysphoric mood."

Did you get that?

The comfort you get from chocolate prolongs your blues, rather than stops them.

I do hope that finding gives you some enticement to kick the sweet stuff. (Remember, I'm here to help you -- so if you need encouragement and more, I'd love to have you join my free, online KickSugar support group.)

* * *

I could go on and on about the deceptive appeal of sugary chocolate and how eating too much slams us into SUGAR SHOCK!  and a whole lot more.

Suffice it to say that I have some great reservations about chocolate. I'm totally against sweetened milk chocolate.

I am, however, a fan of unsweetened cacao beans or cacao nibs, which you can get either here or here or even here at RawCacao.com.(Though, I'm not recommending it as a mood booster.)

To be fair, some experts also recommend dark chocolate with minimal sweeteners (if you can handle sugars), but frankly I'm just not a fan of any kind if chocolate with sweeteners.

* * *

After reporting about the Australian study, journalist MacGregor of The Los Angeles Times singles out work done by Janet Polivy, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto.

In fact, she, too, conducted a chocolate-craving study published last year in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

"Chocolate is the most craved food," she said. "It does seem to be something special. But there is little evidence that it alters neurotransmitters or mood."

Hmm. Intriguing studies.

But, unless I'm missing something, why was information about the blood sugar affects of chocolate omitted from the study?

More & More Adolescents Getting Type 2 Diabetes, Researchers Say

Absolutely horrifying -- and completely unnecessary.

Some 39,000 adolescents may already have obesity-linked type 2 diabetes and and more than 2.5 million of our nation's young may have impaired fasting glucose levels, which could lead to diabetees and other health problems.

Thus report researchers in the May issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

"Steps to prevent and treat the substantial number of adolescents who have impaired fasting gluocse from developing type 2 diabetes are required now," lead researcher Glen E. Duncan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of epidemiology of the Nutritional Sciences Program at the University of Washington, Seattle, told HealthDay News' Steven Reinberg.

"These steps are well known and well established preventative measures -- namely to increase daily physical activity levels and improve nutrition, and to avoid excess body weight."

Hurrah to Dr. Duncan for pointing out this important and scary phenomenon in JAMA's important publication.

What's frightening is while most adolescents with diabetes have type 1 diabetes, increasingly more and more kids are getting type 2 diabetes, a condition known until recently as adult-onset diabetes.

Now, Duncan told HealthDay, "roughly 29 percent of all adolescents with diabetes now have type 2 diabetes, and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose -- a risk factor or precursor to developing type 2 diabetes -- is substantial in this population." .

To draw their conclusions, the researchers looked at data of 4,370 teens from a national survey of the U.S. population, the University of Washington's press release pointed out.

Nationwide, we need to pay particular attention to the nearly 2.7 million kids with impaired fasting glucose. This means that their blood glucose is higher than normal but not high enough to be deemed diabetes.

In an accompanying editorial, recognized endocrinologist Arlan L. Rosenbloom, M.D. wrote that adolescents who are overweight or at risk for being overweight -- "are going to require the kind of monitoring for cardiovascular risk factors that has been considered standard of care for older adults.

"It is to be hoped that the recognition of the public health time bomb reflected in the report by Dr. Duncan will lead to a pervasive societal effort to prevent obesity, a daunting task of such magnitude that enormous community and governemental commitments will be required," Dr. Rosenbloom wrote.

Around the world, we're seeing this alarming trend. For instance, within the last decade, the rate of type 2 diabetes jumped 16-fold among overweight adolescents in Australia -- with most of the kids diagnosed when they hit puberty.

* * *

Need I explain why I'm posting this here?

Much of our nation is in SUGAR SHOCK! from consuming all of those nutrient-deprived, fiber-lacking carbohydrates, or what I call "culprit carbs." And an abundance of research suggests that being overweight can ultimately trigger type 2 diabets.

Which is why, for starters, it's important to start feeding kids better in school, a move that's afoot in many school districts across the country. And we adults also need to pay an example to our nation's youths by exercising and eating right ourselves.

Need some help overcoming your habit of consuming sweets and refined carbs? Join my free, online KickSugar support group.

Was Soda Deal Just a PR Stunt?

As you read here previously, recently a much ballyhooed new soda policy was announced by the major soda companies.

Unfortunately, some insiders are concerned that the move was simply one big PR tactic. In fact, Michele Simon, one such critic -- who I quoted before -- brands all the hoopla as a "bogus agreement."

You want to pay attention to Simon. As director of the Center for Informed Food Choices and author of the upcoming book, Appetite for Profit, she knows what she's talkin about. Not only that, but she's on our side -- the public.

Read Michele's insightful remarks on the CommonDreams.org website about this alleged move to remove soda from our nation's schools. She writes:

"The headlines certainly sound impressive: `Companies pulling sodas out of school' claimed the Associated Press; `Bottlers agree to a school ban on sweet drinks' said the New York Times.' These and hundreds of other news stories around the nation this week gave the impression that the beverage industry had an epiphany and magically, all soda will disappear from schools forever.

"Only one problem: nothing could be further from the truth."

Hurrah to Michele for doing her part to set people straight.

"We are told that the `goal' is to implement the guidelines in 75 percent of schools by the 2008-09 school year, with the rest coming on board a year later. That’s quite a long phase-in period given the imminent public health crisis our children face. How this goal can be achieved given the lack of oversight is a complete mystery."

Michele raises some fascinating points. Here's another:

"Susan Neely, president of the American Beverage Association said: "This is a voluntary policy, but I think schools will want to follow it.” Excuse me? It’s up to the schools to follow an agreement that the soda companies signed?"

She also rightly points out other huge flaws to the deal:

"Even from a health standpoint, the deal is hardly impressive. Diet soda full of artificial sweeteners, sports drinks high in sugar, and other empty-calorie beverages with zero nutritional value are still allowed in high schools. Also, parents concerned about soda advertising in schools will not be pleased with the agreement. Not a word is mentioned about the ubiquitous marketing children are subjected to daily in the form of branded score boards, school supplies, sports bags, and cups (just to name a few), which is required by exclusive Coke and Pepsi contracts. It’s no secret that branding is the main purpose of these arrangements. Big Cola may shift a few products around or serve up fewer calories with this new deal, but what’s most important to them is maintaining access to young and impressionable consumers in a captive environment."

Read Michele's entire editorial at CommonDreams.org or at the Organic Consumers Association.

A very special thanks to Maida, a member of my online KickSugar group, who often sends me articles of interest.

Letter from Public Advocacy Group About Soda Agreement

More info about yesterday's soda agreement.

The Public Health Advocacy Group released this statement.

One of the more intriguing comments in the press releass came from PHAI president and Northeastern Univesrsity law professor Richard Daynard, J.D., Ph.D.:

"This agreement demonstrates the potential for public health litigation to help control the obesity epidemic."

The Power of Delaying to Squash Sugar Cravings (My Article)

My article, "The Power of Delaying to Squash Sugar Cravings," has been published on HealthyWealthyNWise.com.

In it, I discuss one of many tactics that I personally used to kick sugar and refined carbs back in 1998. This is a techique that I now heartily recommend others to use, too.