WW gives a point value of zero to fruits and vegetables.

And Weight Watchers, your point is? 

Anyone who lives a healthy lifestyle consumes a tremendous amount of fruits and veggies. We already get the point. 

I guess; better late than never.

Living a healthy lifestyle ain't that difficult. You just have to want to do it. As I advise people in my book, ignore the study of the day. Frequently, the studies are contradictory and confusing. Thus, if you ignored the research of the day, you would not have been taking vitamin D supplements*.

The latest and greatest: As of today, we are being advised that we do not need vitamin D supplements. We, in fact, get enough from our wonderful Sun. 

This cartoon appears in my book. Once again, point made!

This article states:The very high levels of vitamin D that are often recommended by doctors and testing laboratories — and can be achieved only by taking supplements — are unnecessary and could be harmful, an expert committee says. Read on.

Here's another interesting article by Marion Nestle. Wise advise almost two years ago.

In this article, Dr. David Katz responds and sheds some light on the vitamin D hoopla.

I also recommend reading: Lies, Damned Lies, and Medical Science (not about vitamin D).

*My multivitamin contains 1,600 IUs of vitamin D and since I love nature, I am outside frequently. Thus, I get plenty of vitamin D.

This is my favorite quote. For me, it's a reminder to eat properly and exercise frequently. This is a photo from a t-shirt. I have many of them. I also have it on a wristband. I want a constant reminder to always be in training. With all the temptations, in our society, it's difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle.

There are thousands of diet concepts on the market. I call them "diet camps". This is not a camp that you attend. It's a belief system. And, people in these diet camps do not budge from their respective camp. In fact, they will present all types of research that demonstrates "how right they are".  They will also tell you what's wrong with all the other diet camps.

The spectrum runs form vegan (if it has a mother or a face, do not eat it) to paleo (meat eaters - fat ain't the villian). Interestingly, all of these diets work. That's the good news. 

However, all of them are partially correct. Because,interestingly each and everyone omits these types of foods and throws in a good dose of exercise. So, if you ...

omit this:

1. Fast Food
2. Junk Food
3. Candy
4. Soda
5. Highly Processed Food

add this:

1. Exercise
   

You will not be overweight and you will be outside the circle of disease. 

I'm reading the book All the Devils are Here. It's about the financial debacle of 2008. 

One, among many, of the reasons for the collapse as stated in the book: 

But the idea that the mortgage-backed securities would also lead inexorably to the rise of the subprime industry, that would create hidden, systemic risks the likes of which  the financial world had never before seen, that they would undo the connection between borrowers and lenders in ways that were truly dangerous--that wasn't even in their frame of reference. 

Now change out a few words and see what happens:

But the idea that the fast food, junk food, and highly processed foods would also lead inexorably to the rise of the an obese and unhealthy nation, that would create hidden, systemic risks the likes of which  the medical industry had never before seen, that they would undo the connection between consumer and farmer in ways that were truly dangerous--that wasn't even in their frame of reference. 

About an hour before the eating frenzy, eat a protein bar. My favorite is Pure Protein. It comes in many different flavors. 

Feeling hungry? Have a sweet tooth? Try this Pure Protein bar. What are the benefits? It taste great. It has very little sugar. It has 20 grams of protein. It has about 190 calories and unlike candy bars - it will make you feel full. 

Here are a couple of tips 
 - Put them in the refrigerator 
- To save money, purchase them at Target or Costco. At those locations, the bars are about $1 each. However, they are available everywhere.

Disclosure: I have no financial relationship with this company or product. I just know it works.

* Oh yeah, it works year round!

By the way, if you want more incredible tips and information, you can purchase Feed Your Head ... here.

Whether you drink diet soda or the sugared stuff, replace it with sparkling water. Believe it or not, other than the high-intensity of the sugar or artificial sweetener, it will taste very similar.

Try it for a week. Most likely you won't miss the other stuff. In the past, I was a Diet Coke drinker. For the most part, I drink "plain old water", however, if I want the taste of carbonation, sparkling water "hits the spot".

This article is from the Huffington Post.

While I do not agree with the entire article, I do agree with this statement: "Americans (still) rule the world. They can stroll on the moon, influence global diplomacy, finance unstable countries around the world…yet they cannot keep their own people relatively healthy? Of course they could, if it were actually desired. Unfortunately, for the world’s most powerful companies, an unhealthy America is, perversely, a very profitable America."

On the main street near my home, there's a tremendous amount of junk food and fast food available. As well, there are three CVS pharmacies on that same strip ... about two miles. Yes, crap food delivers patients to big pharma. No doubt about it. 

During this time of thanks, I am thankful that I have avoided the medical industrial complex.

The American food system can be funny. Here's one example.

Like that one? Here are some of my favorites.

Rarely, do I recommend products. However, if you are an iPhone owner and you care about diet, health, and nutrition, this is an App that you must have.

All you do is scan the barcode of a product and it rates it. It gives you details and provides alternative products. 

I rate this one an A-plus!