The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states: Nearly half of all adult Americans have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, all conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Just so you know: The problem has very little to do with your genes. The problem is the American diet. Two of my favorite doctors state the following:

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn: Genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Dr. Michael Roizen: It’s much easier to do prevention than treatment.

While many people are led to believe that a total cholesterol of 200 is "normal", Dr. Esselstyn informed me that at 150 you are heart attack proof. While that might be an overstatement, with proper diet and exercise, I got my total cholesterol down to 155 (from 202). How long did it take? Six months!

My suggestion: If you want to stay off all those meds that are advertised on the evening news, change your diet and exercise more.

Here's one last quote for you: Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding. - Harvey MacKay

If you want to learn how easy it is to change your diet, I recommend you purchase Feed Your Head...now!

The CDC has mapped out the trends. When you hear or read about the obesity epidemic, this is the source. It's great for Crayola. They're running out of colors.

Because of the "Food Revolution" everyone is familiar with Huntington, West Virginia, however, Mississippi is the most obese state in the union. Not to worry Ole Miss, you have lots of company.

Note: To view all the percentages, click the full screen icon.

It's difficult to identify a good chip and dip that is both healthy and will satisfy. Today's recommendation at Trader Joe's is: Gazpacho and Tortilla chips.

My ingredients to make a serving of one:
1 - Trader Joe's Tortilla (45 Calories, 7 grams fiber, 3 grams protein)
1/2 -  Banana (50 Calories, 1.5 grams fiber, .5 grams protein)
1 - Tablespoon *Almond Butter (85 calories, 1.5 grams fiber, 4 grams protein)
Totals: Calories 230, Fiber 10, Protein 7.5

Heat in microwave for about 17 seconds.

One side benefit for me: I no longer have to throw out rotten bananas! They usually go bad before I have an opportunity to eat "the bunch".

*Try peanut butter too. I use the organic crunchy peanut butter.

National Geographic has an interesting piece about this. It reviewed three areas in the world where people live long and productive lives. Check it out.

In this podcast, Dr. Rudolph L. Leibel explains. 

If you'd like to know how KFC's Double Down chicken sandwich stacks up against other fast food "delights", check out this detailed explanation by Nate Silver. 

My take on it: I'm very happy that I stay away from all fast food "delights".

If you've read my book, you know that there are a few "musts" for proper diet and health. One of those "musts" is to read the food label. Here is an excellent interview with one of my "food heroes" - Marion Nestle and Urvashi Rangan. 

You will learn a lot by listening and sad to say you will also be confused because the U.S. food labeling policy is very convoluted. 

There's no doubt that music plays an important role in exercise. So, with that in mind, I offer you the music that motivates me. It might assist you too.

1. Ted's Jam - Robert Rudolph & the Family Band*
2.  The March - Robert Rudolph & the Family Band*
3. Hot N Cold - Katy Perry*
4. P!nk - Funhouse Album*** (I have the entire video on my iPhone)
5 Seminole Wind - James Taylor**
6. Copperline - James Taylor**
7. Send Me on My Way - Rusted Root***
8. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas*
9. Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson 
10. Sandstorm - Darude****

* - High Energy Song
** - Warm Up/Cool Down Song
*** - P!nk's songs, energy, and acrobatics are inspiring 
**** - Lot's of beat. 

For my bike riding ventures, I like to listen to Hootie and the Blowfish (greatest hits) and Dave Matthews (his live stuff is incredible). They are my "friends" while on the bike paths.

Got some favorite exercise songs? Let me know about them. Shoot me an email.

Treat your body like a house of worship - with respect. - Ken Leebow

Fiber is good for you. The more, the better. - Dr. Robert Lustig

Here's a site to get some great information -- articles, videos, and search engine - Garden Guides.

With my views of diet and health, you might think that I would endorse a "special" tax on soda (Coke, Pepsi, and others). I do not. 

If you do that, you might as well tax other offenders: fast food, candy, and others. My recommendation: Show people what they are drinking. Here it is.

Here's a video of the discussion on the Today Show.

A trifecta: low in calories, high in fiber, and high in protein. A wonderful snack. The entire package has 360 calories. Eat half of it.

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. - Plato

KFC's new sandwich...no bread...it's replaced by fried chicken.

If you want to see more junk food that we consume, check it out here.