Healthy Eating

I just read about a Vanderbilt University medical students who had to go 5 days eating on the amount of money the average person on SNAP (aka: food stamps) receives (about $3/day or $1/meal) - but they also had to track calories and nutrition online to be sure they were also eating healthy. "The purpose of this experience is to help medical students better understand the patient's perspective on the challenges he/she faces to maintain a healthy lifestyle given certain financial restraints," says Lynn Webb, assistant vice chancellor for health affairs.

I think that this challenge would also be beneficial for our government officials to undertake. A large reason why our health care costs are so high in this country is because our country is overweight and eats horribly. Part of this is due to cost and convenience barriers to eating healthy. You can propose all the health care reform in the world, and you are not going to lower health care costs if you do not address this issue. It's great that Vandy med students will be sensitive to the challenges that their patients face, but how about getting politicians to do something to change those challenges rather than just having sensitive doctors?

(Note: I recently had a conversation with one of my supervisors at the hospital where I work who noted talk about unhealthy eating/lack of exercise/obesity being one of the biggest reasons health care is so high. The other reasons? Expenses for care of elderly and terminally ill patients. And medical malpractice. These reasons are not data-driven, by the way. Just based on conversations with hospital administrators.)

Music

Do you remember Marcy Playground? I almost forgot about them, too. But then I was reading today's concert listings in LA - and they are playing. Great bands like The Beatles, Pavement, The Unicorns, etc. have not been able to keep it together for various reasons, but a shitty band like Marcy Playground apparently has what it takes to have a long-term committed relationship. At least as a band. I can't speak to their personal lives...

(Turns out it's really only 2 consistent people - the lead singer and the bass player. But still. They're around 12 years after their 1 hit song...)

Covers

If you like somewhat ironic covers of Top 40 songs, then you must check out Pomplamoose's Tribute to Famous People. Some of the highlights: "Single Ladies," "Beat It," "Telephone," "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

For a flavor of what to expect: Pomplamoose's video for "Single Ladies"

Earth vs. Appearance

This weekend I bought new running socks. They are made of organic, chlorine-free wool and made in the USA with wind power. The packaging they came in is made with recycled paper and soy-based inks.

The reason I bought them? They were cute. I'm all for the environment when it looks good, too.

Guilty Pleasures

I go to Pure Barre workout classes, and they use a broad mix of music in their classes, including some Top 40 stuff (note that they have workout playlists through iTunes that you can access - to purchase - through their website). So I'm exposed to a lot of music that I might not otherwise listen to.

So...I'm a little embarrassed about this, but I have to admit it. I really like OneRepublic's All the Right Moves. I can still hate the fact that they don't have a space in their band name, though, right?