Downward Dog Days of Summer: Free Outdoor Yoga Classes at Exhale

Exhale Mind Body Spa is hosting a donation-based yoga class each month, with proceeds benefitting the Meatpacking District Improvement Association. These outdoor yoga classes are held on the cobblestone streets of Gansevoort Plaza between Hudson and Ninth avenues. Class times range from 7:15 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Mark your calendar for June 19, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19.

18 Ninth Ave., 212-660-6733, www.exhalespa.com

Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu in Riverside Park

Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu is promoting self-defense as a fun and stress-reducing fitness activity with free weekly kung fu classes in Riverside Park. Every Saturday from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., instructor Sifu Adam Chertoff, who has more than 30 years of kung fu experience, integrates modern approaches with traditional forms of the martial arts. The program runs through Oct. 26, weather permitting.

Riverside Park (meet at the 108th Street entrance at 12:45 p.m.), 212-942-8909, www.shaolinfiveanimals.org

Summer of Fitness Exercise Series in Hudson River Park

Whether you’re into Pilates, yoga or you need a more intense boot-camp workout, Hudson River Park has a diverse lineup of free summer exercise programs. Activewear brand Lole and fitness concierge Fitist sponsor classes held at Pier 25 (North Moore Street and the West Side Highway) on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., through Aug. 20. On Wednesdays at Pier 64 (23rd Street and the Hudson River), Shape Up NYC offers Nia classes, a fusion of marital arts, dance and yoga, and on Thursdays at Pier 46 (Christopher Street and the Hudson River), they do Pilates. Classes take place from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and run through Aug. 22.

www.hudsonriverpark.org

Outdoor Rise NYC

From June 17-23, Outdoor Rise, NYC’s first outdoor adventure festival, is providing more than 60 free events in all five boroughs. You’ll enjoy events like rock climbing, yoga, biking and more. All events are free.

 www.outdoorrise.com

The post Free summer fitness in NYC appeared first on Metro.us.

The biggest sex story of the past year didn’t happen between Christian and Anastasia, in some porn your mom read — it happened in Brooklyn when Adam banged Hannah, and probably gave her an STD. The HBO series “Girls,” with its frank depiction of bad dirty talk, venereal diseases, abortions, miscarriages and condom spill, is all about sex; but unlike “Sex and the City” before it, this show is a global hit partly because star/creator Lena Dunham is, well, average-looking. She’s a chubby, tattooed, thin-haired 26-year-old. She’s normal.

The hype comes at the perfect time for the “real beauty” movement — and for this Metro Sex Issue, themed “Feel Good Naked.” Within the past month, plus-size model Jennie Runk made headlines when H&M debuted her modeling swimwear (despite being a dress size 14-16, not 0). Dove soap, on the tails of an ad campaign featuring plus-size women, launched an “anti-Photoshop” app that restores images to their original form. And “amateur” porn is the most popular category on YouPorn, ranking higher than “blondes.” The house that Jenna Jameson built is crumbling. The question is, how quickly.

So yes, how quickly?

In one year, or in five? “I don’t think five years is enough,” says Gabi Gregg, 26, a plus-size blogger (gabifresh.com). Her work went viral last year after she posted photos of herself looking sensual in a “fatkini” and, this week, she launches her own line of swimwear. “But people like Lena Dunham and Louis C.K. are opening doors. Just the fact that her body makes people so angry — if you read the comments, people are telling her to put on clothes. She has said that only makes her want to do it more. It’s my favorite show.”

Arielle Loren doesn’t watch “Girls,” but also traffics in blunt depictions of sex. Her magazine Corset (corsetmagazine.com) features graphic nudity and first-person erotica, and resembles someone’s beautifully photographed diary. It became profitable after a year, and Loren sees it as part of a movement. “The way we learn about sex, the pornography industry drives a lot of that consciousness,” says Loren, a 27-year-old American. “It starts to inform the way we think about ‘sexy’ from an early age. But there are multifaceted aspects of sex and what it can really be, which we explore in the magazine. That goes from everything you can do in the bedroom — physically — but also how we understand our bodies.”

A recent Corset photoshoot, Breasts in Erotic Daylight, features a brown bosom with stretch marks. “We definitely don’t airbrush,” says Loren. “There’s something very sexy about that. Being able to see the hair follicles on a breast or the stretch marks on a woman’s stomach.” She now has subscribers here, in Canada, Peru, Brazil, Sweden and beyond.

And yet, post a photo of a plus size-model online and you’ll see that not everyone’s as accepting. Exhibit A: Jennie Runk.

Junk in Runk’s trunk

The excitement (and debate) over Runk’s H&M campaign made it all the way to Italy, where she was working in May. It led to at least one sleepless night. “I was thinking about all the media I’ve been getting and my mom reads a lot of the comments and she said, ‘I can’t believe somebody called you fat,’” remembers the 24-year-old. “And some people on the other side were like, ‘The curvier bodies are better!’ And it’s so ridiculous that people are having these arguments. What if some girl looks at these pictures and looks exactly like me: How is she going to feel?”

She turned to Facebook with a post. “I’ve noticed that people like to debate what kind of body is better than another,” she wrote. “This is all wrong! To me, true beauty is defined by a healthy lifestyle and a genuine personality. Bodies are just meaty things that carry our personhoods around for us.” A week later, Runk is still riled up. She notes that “bigger” models are getting more work, but “we should focus on embracing all sizes,” she says bluntly.

“This argument,” adds Runk, “is going to be a thing of the past when — honestly, I don’t know.” On Facebook, she was more hopeful, saying it’s “our differences that make us remarkable.” She laughs when she hears that again. “I’ve been told before I’m a little too naive.”

How to feel good naked: Tips from the editor of Corset

“Start by walking around your house naked. If you have a roommate, shut your door and walk around your room naked. The more you get comfortable with your naked self — not covering yourself up with a towel every time you take a shower, not taking the time to be in your body and open like that — your confidence will slowly and steadily increase.”

The post Natural beauty: What’s sexy in 2013 appeared first on Metro.us.

Evolve Kefir
We love kefir — it’s got more gut-boosting bacteria than Greek yogurt, with double the protein and 10 percent more calcium — but we know not everyone is into slurping the the slightly tangy cool treat. Now, there’s a new option: Evolve’s spoonable Greek kefir, which is the first product of its kind to hit shelves. It’s less tangy than the drinkable stuff, and comes in fruit-on-the-bottom flavors like strawberry, blueberry and peach. Find it in the dairy aisle.
$1.99, grocery stores

Organic Avenue’s quinoa bowl
Organic Avenue, purveyors of orange totes and green juices that are highly coveted coast to coast, is branching out into cooked-food territory with the release of its first cooked vegan product, the quinoa bowl. Available in three varieties — Mexi-Fresh Veggies, Turmeric Tomato Cauliflower, and Sweet Yam & Celery — the bowl is a hearty mix of red and white quinoa with a medley of veggies and spices.
$10, Organic Avenue stores

ZombieFoodBars
This protein-packed organic, vegetarian, gluten-free and peanut-free bar was created by Dr. Michael Wald, a marathoner and zombie enthusiast. Take it with you when you need some energy to escape the zombie apocalypse, or snack on one the next time you turn on “The Walking Dead.” Dr. Wald assures us that it tastes better than brains, and he’s right (though the barometer there is pretty low). But seriously, we liked it.
$4.25 per bar or $46 for 12, www.zombiefoodbar.com

The post New foods we’re into appeared first on Metro.us.

As Bobby Baccalieri on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” Steve Schirripa was a hot-headed, loud-mouthed, opinionated guy. As a father to his two daughters (17 and 21-years-old) he’s pretty much that same guy. Which is why, he says, he wrote his book “Big Daddy Rules,” a rather unconventional parenting manual.  ”It’s s a conversation with me and it’s written in my way,” he says. “So there’s some cursing in there. That’s the way I talk, so that’s the way I had the conversation.” The book was written as a love letter to his girls. “I guess I don’t always tell them how I feel,” he says. “I mean, I yell a lot. I’m pretty strict, and also I’ve got a lot of opinions, and I wanted to put them all together in a book.” We got Schirripa on the line from California to school us a bit on his rules for parenthood.

What kind of rules are in this book?

The first rule is, I make the rules. I’m your father, not your friend. But I’m the best friend you’re ever going to have because nobody is going to care about you the way I care about you. The four greatest words in the world are “because I said so.” That’s why you can’t go out tonight, that’s why you can’t go to the party where they’re serving beer. Because I said so. You know, parents don’t want to tell their kids “no” anymore. No, the answer is no. You cannot do that, you cannot go there. So, I’m not Doctor Phil, I’m not a parenting expert. I’ve never read a book in my life, but this is how I’ve done it. And so far, so good. I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to make my own mistakes.

So you’re not the kind of dad who can be sweet talked by his daughters?

Well, they try, and I’m not saying it’s never happened, but I mean, absolutely. The other day she came in at 7 and said “can I go to this party? It starts at 9, I’ll be home by 11.” She’s giving me the whole spiel, and I said “there’s not a chance on earth you’re going, you know that right?” And she says, “yeah I know that, I just thought I’d try.”

What’s the hardest part about raising girls?

Look, a boy, you give them a ball, you give them a Lego, they’re fascinated. Girls are smart, they’re cunning, they’re calculating. They bat their eyelashes, they manipulate you. They’re smarter, you know? I think boys are easier. I don’t have boys, but I would raise them both the same way whether I had a boy or a girl, so it doesn’t matter.

Before you had kids, did you care whether you had a boy or a girl?

No, no, I really didn’t. It didn’t matter to me, as long as they were healthy. It was scary though, when my wife got pregnant. Even though we were trying, it was scary to me. I was not prepared. I was a guy that went out a lot, I worked nights, I was living in Las Vegas. I thought my world would come to a stop, as I’ve seen with so many other guys. But it turned out ok.

What’s an uncomfortable situation you’ve been in, as a father?

My daughter dated a boy when she started high school, she was 16, and I think I made a mistake there. I don’t think she was emotionally ready. And they broke up, and she took a big hit. It took about three months for her to snap out of it. And I don’t think I should have allowed that. I was reluctant, and I would not make that mistake again. That was a mistake.

But do you really think you could have stopped her, even if you wanted to?

I mean, I didn’t embrace it, but he still came around here and there. I hear what you’re saying. I can’t control everything they do, and I don’t try to, but I want to be present whether I’m there or not. I want them to think “what would my dad think about this decision I’m about to make?” I mean, my daughter is 21, she’s in college, I don’t know what she’s doing at every moment, of course. But I want her to think, “hey, I don’t think my parents would approve of this.” So I say in the book, you know Big Daddy has a big mouth, a big temper, a big heart, and he’s always present, whether he’s in the room with her or not.

So you’re that scary dad that intimidates the boys who come around?

I mean there have been some boys, and they’ve been nice kids. There haven’t been a whole lot, there’s only been two, actually. So, I want them to look me in the eye — I mean, they better not come home with a dagger tattoo on their face and their underwear hanging out, that’s not going to fly. They’ve got to be gentlemen, at least in front of me. I’m very much an old-fashioned guy when it comes to that stuff. I was a gentleman, and I’m still a gentleman to their mom.

Do you play the bad cop to your wife’s good cop?

I mean, I am who I am. It’s not an act, they kind of know me by now. My wife is a little more lenient, she tells me I need to let it go a little bit. I have a hard time with that. I mean, they’ve got to grow up, and you’ve got to let them do stuff on their own, I’m well aware of that.

How did you handle the sex talk?

My wife had the sex talk, I was out of that one. I’ll be honest, I didn’t have the sex talk. I talked to my wife about it, and she said she’ll handle it. So, that’s on her.

Did you let your daughters watch “The Sopranos” when you were on it?

They were young, they didn’t watch the show. I don’t think [now] they’ve even seen all of it, I think my older one has seen bits and pieces. She’s old enough now to watch it, but it’s not for everyone — and especially when they were younger. I mean, they knew what I did, but it wasn’t for them.

Were you strict with TV in general?

I am still! I hate that reality crap. I saw them one day watching “The Jersey Shore” and the “Kardashians” and I said I never want to see that again, ever. I mean, you’re a smart kid, you don’t need that. It’s complete garbage. I said, I’m embarrassed for you to watch that. You think this is for real?

What’s the best part about being a dad?

Look, I like spending time with my kids, I like my kids. I enjoy them very much. I don’t like a whole lot of kids, but I like my kids.

How about the worst?

Well, you worry 24 hours a day. I’m only at peace when we’re all together. I worry about them, all I want them to do is be safe and be good people. When they’re not there, I’m never calm. That’s the worst part, you’re always worried. And I think every parent is like that. Every parent who cares, you know?

A lot of kids today are financially reliant on they’re parents late into their 20s, even 30s. What’s your stance on that?

I would give them as much as I can, as long as they’re out there and working. If I’m doing ok, I don’t mind helping them. It would be my pleasure to help them. I mean, they have to work, they’re not going to just stay in my apartment. But I don’t think they want to. I think they want to be out on their own. If I was completely wealthy, I would help all the way, I’d pay for their apartments if I could. As long as they’re working — it’s when they’re slackers, I wouldn’t.

What’s your best piece of advice for a new dad?

I think the best thing is to be present. Get in there, get your hands dirty. Be involved. Don’t let your wife just be involved. You know, in every movie, every TV show, the dad’s an idiot. Don’t be an idiot. I’m not an idiot! Take charge, change a diaper, help. Be involved with the kid’s life. You had the kid, now take care of them, that’s your responsibility.

The post Steve Schirripa’s tough love: The ‘Sopranos’ actor talks about his book ‘Big Daddy Rules’ appeared first on Metro.us.

Is happiness something that happens to you, or something that you make happen for yourself? If you ask “Glee’s” Jenna Ushkowitz that question, she’ll tell you it’s the latter.

In fact, she’s written the book on finding your own glee through the power of self-affirmation and positive thinking. “Choosing Glee: 10 Rules to Finding Inspiration, Happiness, and the Real You” is part memoir, part self-help tome, and all motivational. Written through anecdotal vignettes, personal photos, lists and charts, “Choosing Glee” is Ushkowitz’ way of giving back to the world, putting out positivity as a means of reaping more good vibes. “I like to think that positivity is a choice, and you wake up and make a conscious decision,” says the 27-year-old actress. And though she admits, “I’ve never been through any really dark times where I hit rock bottom,” she seems to know what she’s talking about.

So, what’s this book really about?

It’s 10 rules that I live by, to success, to where I’ve gotten, where I am. I just wanted to share that with my fans and readers. You know, to tell them that it’s something you can choose to believe in every day. It’s like your mantra. You know, there are like people who feel that they’re the victim and it’s always happening to them? You can turn that around, and change your outlook on life, and it really makes life a little bit brighter.

Have you always thought this way?

Yeah, I think I’ve always been this way. You could say I was born this way, but I also think I owe it to my parents teaching me to have a good head on my shoulders, and rely on my support system, and always stay true to who you are.

But what about somebody who wasn’t born that way?

Well, again, it’s making it a choice. You make it a choice, and every day you wake up and make it your mantra and say today I’m going to make the best of every situation and look at every situation with the glass half full. And then, after awhile, it sort of becomes subconscious and it becomes a way of life. It’s a lifestyle change, it’s like a diet. People always say, oh, I’m going to diet for this amount of time — well, it’s actually a lifestyle change you need to make.

Can you think of a recent situation where you had to make that choice?

Sure, I mean there was a time in the industry where I did a pilot — my belief is that everything happens for a reason — so I was doing this pilot and it got picked up, and I was all excited, and then I got this phone call that they actually weren’t going to pick me up, that they were going to recast me. And the first thing I thought was, ‘Oh, well, I’m not a good actor; I’m fat, I’m ugly, they hate me!’ (laughs) And then you turn around and say, you know what? It wasn’t me, it wasn’t meant to be, and actually it turned out that the reason was that I was a little too young. But you still believe, Oh, they’re lying,’ so I went to my friends and we vegged out and did our thing, it’s like a breakup. But then you get over it. And I then went on to book “Spring Awakening,” and then “Glee,” and wouldn’t have finished college. So you have to look at it like, well, I wouldn’t have been able to experience those things.

So you’re obviously a big believer in karma.

Oh yeah, 100 percent. Everything happens for a reason and I believe in karma. I believe that what you give to the world — the energy that you give to the world — is what you get back. And it will come back to you if you’re not good to it. (laughs)

The post Jenna Ushkowitz talks the power of positivity in ‘Choosing Glee’ appeared first on Metro.us.

Three of New York’s trendiest fitness clubs may be putting a spiritual spin on their services as a way of avoiding sales taxes, but state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman isn’t having it, Crains reports.

Schneiderman last week issued subpoenas for unpaid sales taxes to popular spinning clubs SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports, and to Bar Method, which bills itself as a combination ballet and Pilates-style workout. The subpoenas are investigative and the companies have not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Fitness companies in New York City, uniquely within the state, are subject to sales taxes unless their services are limited to yoga and meditation, which allows them to qualify for a religious exemption. Bar Method, SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports do not offer yoga, but their branding and testimonials often tout a spiritual element to the workouts.

The tax distinction between yoga studios and other fitness clubs was only made by the state last July, and a consultant for the health and fitness industry told Crains that the problem had arisen before.

“There’s been a real confusion for years as to what the criteria are for payment,” said Richard Caro, president of Management Vision. “This is not something that’s a new topic.”

The post Confusion as ‘spiritual’ fitness boutiques probed for unpaid sales taxes appeared first on Metro.us.

Mom will get buff at As One.

As One

www.as1effect.com

Bring mom to any class this Thursday for free — and it doesn’t have to be your mom, any mom will do! As One’s bootcamp-like classes are usually pretty tough, but they swear that the classes are adaptable for all fitness. Email keith@as1effect.com to sign up. Mom will also leave with a gift bag and a free week of classes.1effect.com

Planet Fitness

www.planetfitness.com

Every 2.3 minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer. Do your part to help eradicate the disease — sign up for a PF membership between May 8 and 15^th and the $10 enrollment fee will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (after that, it’s just $10 a month for you). While you’re there, nominate the lady in your life as the Best Mom on the Planet for a shot at a year-long membership for you and your madre.

Flywheel

www.flywheelsports.com

Moms who ride on Sunday will get complimentary snacks from the Flywheel team. Out East, a Mother’s Day-themed ride will take place at the East Hampton studio Sunday at 9:30 a.m. All moms taking part in the studio’s TorqBoard competition will get a CD with songs from the class.

The post Give mom the gift of good health appeared first on Metro.us.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you know that the journey isn’t over once the cancer is out. With proper planning, however, reconstructive surgery can be a positive step toward recovery. The important thing is to fully explore all options and find the best one for you. “Before deciding on [a] mastectomy, discuss your options with your board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction,” says Dr. Andrew P. Ordon, F.A.C.S., an aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a private practice in New York City. “There are a number of options based on the type of tumor and how aggressive the cancer is, and the stage of the disease. There’s also the option of immediate or delayed reconstruction,” he adds.

There are minimally invasive choices for women who have a less aggressive form of the disease. “Less aggressive tumor types would be candidate for nipple-sparing mastectomy and implant. Also, placement of a tissue expander [that allows] serial skin expansion with eventual placement of a final prosthesis is the most simple and least invasive, but it involves multiple stages.”

If a whole breast is reconstructed, doctors spare no expense to make it look and feel as normal as possible for the patient.”With whole breast removal, nipple areola can be reconstructed at a later date using a number of great options taking skin from another part of the body.”

Don’t Fear It
Diagnosed or not, Dr. Ordon urges women to not fear breast cancer. “Today’s results with breast reconstruction are better then ever,” he emphasizes. “Breast cancer is a treatable disease when detected early, so don’t ignore any symptoms you’re experiencing out of fear of losing a sensitive part of you.”

Finding Support
Look Good Feel Better, a free support program for cancer patients, recently launched an app that gives users tips and ideas for skin care, make-up, wearing wigs and dressing after a mastectomy. Such support helps patients regain self-esteem and confidence, which is invaluable for a person battling the disease. For more info, go to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org

The post Options abound for post-cancer surgery appeared first on Metro.us.

I broke up with my boyfriend last year and then got involved with my current boyfriend. I don’t have contact with my ex, but I hold a grudge against him and get angry when I think about him. It affects my current relationship because I blame my new guy for issues related to my ex. How can I move on for good?

It’s not surprising that the person with whom you spent three years of your life is still on your mind a year later. He’s someone you likely confided in and shared a life with — someone with whom you thought you had a future. I can only speculate that you moved from one relationship to the next far too quickly. When a relationship ends, time is needed to grieve, reflect and process so that issues don’t go unresolved and spill into the next one. Clearly, this is what’s happening with you.

To get over your ex and find closure, take responsibility for your actions. Ask yourself: “How has my behavior and attitude impacted us? If I could go back and do it again, what would I change about myself?” Now is the time to own up to these things.

As long as you continue to view the relationship through an old lens, you’ll continue to be held hostage by the past. The issue here is one of control: A grudge leads to anger and resentment that energizes you, giving the illusion of control. The grudge may also be a way of holding your ex responsible for the downfall of the relationship. To shake this thinking, ask yourself: “Can I change the situation now? What do I gain by holding a grudge a year later? What will I gain by letting go?”

Finally, pretend you’re packing for a trip and you can only bring essential items. Would you take a healthy, positive attitude and a sense of humor or would you pack anger and resentment? The latter will only weigh you down.  Lighten the load by bringing only what’s beneficial to you and your new relationship.

Jonathan Alpert is a licensed psychotherapist and executive coach. His book, “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days,” is available now. Email him your questions at jonathan@jonathanalpert.com and follow him on Twitter: @JonathanAlpert.

— Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages.

The post No more drama: The leftover blame game appeared first on Metro.us.

“Nanny” Mayor Bloomberg is about to become a wet nurse.

The city has set aside more than $70,000 to hire a program manager who will oversee an initiative encouraging breast-feeding in Brooklyn.

The “Breast-Feeding Empowerment Zone” will reach out to both men and women in certain Brooklyn communities with free consultations, home visits and education about the health and financial benefits of breast-feeding.

A Health Department job listing for the position quoted a salary of $73,000.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants be exclusively breast-fed for their first six months. According to UNICEF, it “lowers the risk of chronic conditions later in life, such as obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, childhood asthma and childhood leukemias.”

The post Brooklyn breast-feeding advocacy job to pay $70k appeared first on Metro.us.

This post originally appeared on www.HealthBytesNYC.com

When deciding on which car or college — or, increasingly, health care provider — to choose, many of us compare reviews and ratings in such sources as Consumer Reports and U.S. News & World Report. More than two decades ago, the New York State Department of Health, itself, began to report information on cardiac surgery because the Commissioner of Health noticed wide variations in mortality rate and complications reported by different hospitals in the state.

History of Cardiac Surgery Reporting in New York

Results, adjusted for patient risk, were first released to the New York Times in 1990 with the hospitals numbered, but not named. However, the following day, the hospitals were named and, after a lawsuit based on the Freedom of Information Act, mortality figures for individual surgeons were made public within a few years. Risk adjustment methodology aimed to correct for how severely ill the patients were in any one doctor’s practice or in any single hospital, to allow for valid comparisons.

There was intense interest in those early days, with newspapers publishing performance “league tables” on the front page. Similar public reporting systems followed in other states. With time, the novelty wore off, and now, when the results are published, they appear buried deep in the middle of local tabloids.

Benefits, and Shortcomings, of the Reporting System

What has the benefit of the New York reporting system been, and what should members of the public make of the information? In states like New York and others that began reporting on cardiac surgery, but also in states where public reporting of collected information was not a feature, the risk of dying from coronary bypass surgery fell significantly. For hospitals and surgeons, comparative data can be useful to guide efforts aimed at continuous improvement of quality care.

The system is not without its problems. Unfortunately, published results in New York appear almost three years after the information is gathered. Complex statistical models are used to analyze the data, but most people, including physicians, are not qualified to interpret the nuances.

In reality, the mortality rates of almost all hospitals and surgeons in every reporting cycle are statistically NOT different. So, for example, if one hospital has a mortality rate of 2.2% and another has 2.4%, there is no evidence of a difference between the two, even if by reflex we think the lower mortality is better. Movement up and down the league table from year to year is quite random and suggests that most differences are the product of chance.

Discussion with Surgeon the Best Way to Estimate Risks and Benefits of Surgery

Coronary bypass surgery has been performed for 50 years, and exceptional results are now being achieved, even as the average patient is older, sicker and more complex. At Beth Israel Medical Center, every coronary bypass is performed by two experienced surgeons, with a dedicated team to support them, and post-operative care is supervised personally by the cardiac surgeons — not delegated to other practitioners. No care is provided by residents (doctors in training). For patients, a full discussion with their surgeons and heart team will allow proper estimation of the risks and benefits of surgery.

Learn more about the surgical options available.

Information provided by Darryl Hoffman, MD, Attending Cardiac Surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center.

The post Cardiac Surgery Reporting in NY State: Is it Reliable? appeared first on Metro.us.

“Before you can get into a relationship, you should be happy by yourself.” We hear that and mistakenly think it literally means “you should be happy being alone.” We assume the wisdom imparted here is to not want relationships, or even to stop looking for one.  But that’s not what this quote means at all.

Being happy by yourself means you need to take responsibility for your own happiness. This is not just semantics. This means recognizing the areas of your life that don’t’ feel fulfilled — if you don’t feel good about yourself, you’re bored with your job or feel disconnected from your friends and family, or aren’t happy with what you’ve accomplished.  These are all issues that only you can solve; a relationship won’t solve them for you.

We grow up with an idealized notion of romantic relationships.  We’re told that when we find the right person, things will be perfect. We believe that any emptiness or discontentment we feel in any aspect of our lives will disappear once we find the right partner. But the Jerry Maguire idea that “you complete me” just isn’t reality. You have to complete yourself.

Yes, relationships can be amazingly distracting.  In the initial phases when the sparks are flying, nothing else seems to matter.  But this is a temporary Band Aid, because as the sparks calm down you’ll be left with the same unresolved issues you had before the relationship started. Even better, you could peg those problems on your partner, or think there’s something wrong with the relationship because you don’t feel so great (hence the advice to make yourself happy before getting involved).

The point is, sooner or later you have to take responsibility for your own life. Whether you’re single, or involved in something serious, you have to take care of yourself. And while it’s easier to blame our lack of happiness on not having someone or having someone that’s not acting the right way, life is rarely that simple. As important as our intimate relationships are, they will not magically fulfill you.

Amber Madison is a Manhattan-based relationship expert and dating coach. She is the author of “Are All Guys Assholes?” You can follow her on Twitter: @ambermadi.

The post Dating: Happiness comes first appeared first on Metro.us.

Part of her organization’s prevention programs is Trash Cancer, which offers guidance on living a toxin-free lifestyle, starting with the products we buy. Now, Drescher is also lending her support to the Carcinogen-Free Label Act, a bipartisan bill introduced to Congress that seeks to create a label similar to the “organic” label that tells shoppers a product is free of cancer-causing agents. We asked the actress and activist to tell us more about her mission.

Why does toxic-free living start in the home?
The place we spend the most time in is our home, and that’s the place that we have the most control over. Rather than feeling scared as we see cancer closing in around us, why not do something about it? Being proactive and living a more preventative, healthier, toxic-free lifestyle is a very important component and complement to all the research that’s being done. Since Nixon waged the war on cancer, the bulk of the money has been gone into finding a cure, which in many ways is kind of like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

So how can we get involved?
We want Americans to use the power of consumerism and to not only detox their home and reduce their risk of cancer but also give a loud message to manufacturers. They’ll sell us whatever we want to buy, so this is where the Carcinogen-Free Label Act comes into play. … Good health is the great equalizer and the beauty of this bill is that it’s non-regulatory, it means we’re not trying to skip enough legislation to make it more difficult for manufacturers to make stuff — which costs money, gets a lot pushback, isn’t necessary. We all agree that a cleaner, less polluted world is in the best interest of everyone. … [We want to] make “Detox your home” the “Don’t drink and drive” of the millennium. It’s a call to action, and once you wake up and smell the coffee, it’s hard to go back to sleep.

What do you envision the label being?
The consumer doesn’t have to go to MIT to understand the ingredients on the back label. All they have to do is look at what essentially is the carcinogen-free label which is like a Good Housekeeping seal of approval. And that will cover everything that we talk about at Cancer Schmancer. What are you putting in your mouth? What are you putting on your skin? What are you cleaning and gardening with? Let’s start there. … I tell every man I know, don’t use antiperspirants. You are creating a situation that deprives the body of one of its its most effective functions of detox, which is perspiring under your arms. Go to the men’s room and wash your pits twice [instead]. You’re a human being and it’s a very important body function. More and more men are getting breast cancer. You wouldn’t do it to an animal — paint their skin with something that would deny them the ability to let the skin function in a most natural and effective way, which is to release toxins.

Why do you think America is behind other countries in banning these ingredients?
The minute you start to get regulation involved, you’ve got big business, lobbyists with very deep pockets that move the roof on Capitol Hill. That’s why I say [our bill] is non-regulatory. This is coming in from another doorway. Everybody has a vote and everybody has a right to buy what they want to buy.

What if people don’t think they have the power to make change?
We were one of the NGOs that put pressure on Johnson & Johnson. They are an enormous company and once everyone caught wind of the fact that the No More Tears shampoo — that we were being told for generations is so safe for babies — is loaded with formaldehyde, much to their credit, they changed their formula. It does work. At the end of the day consumerism and purchasing power is all you need. It’s about rallying together, getting the word out, making it easier for Americans to make a healthier choice because it’s our right to be able to buy something for our family that is not going to harm us.

What about people who say that it’s just trace elements of these ingredients that wind up in our bodies?
Eighty thousand chemicals are being actively used every day and no one knows whether they’re carcinogenic, in what amount, in combinations with what other products. It’s not just your product I’m using. You hear it all the time when you go to the doctor, [they say] “It’s such a small amount of radiation, it’s nothing,” except that it’s something that’s equivalent to a chest X-ray. It’s so pervasive. It’s the amount of stuff.

Do you have any tips for people who want to start living a less-toxic lifestyle?
The more planted and organic food you can eat, and local, pesticide-free, the better. When you eat a strawberry that’s not organic, you might as well be eating a sponge soaked in pesticides. We’re hurting only ourselves. Steer clear of antiperspirants. What kind of toothpaste are you using? Gums are the gateway to a lot of disease. What do you clean with? The stronger the smell is, that’s not good for you.

When we buy products, what should we look for?
Anything that’s eco-friendly. If you can understand the labels, you’re much better off. Go to the Cancer Schmancer website, put in products that you’re using that you’re curious about. Maybe it’s something that your mom and grandmother have used that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. See how we rate it. You may be very surprised and it may be enough to make you want to try going in another direction. Danger’s on the horizon. All we’ve figured out how to do is live longer chronically ill. The present Cancer Panel of 2010 said that there’s not gonna be a cure, it’s just gonna mutate, it’s just gonna change its profile. It’s unending. Our little bodies are completely in harmony with nature. We’re in complete disharmony with the intensity of chemicals that imploded the 20th century with very little restriction or regulation.

The post Fran Drescher: “The responsibility lies with us” appeared first on Metro.us.

I’ve been with my boyfriend for eight months and we have a good relationship. The other night, though, I was at a party without him and got drunk and flirted with another woman. One thing led to the next and we had sex. I haven’t told my boyfriend about it and I haven’t talked to the woman again. I know guys think it’s hot to see two women together, but I just don’t know if I should tell him what happened. I feel really guilty and confused. What should I do?

For a moment, imagine your boyfriend is out at a party. He’s getting drunk, starts flirting with another guy, and then one thing leads to the next and he has sex with the guy. Ask yourself: Are you OK with that? Do you consider that cheating? My guess is you’re not OK with it and it violates a trust you’ve established over the past eight months. After that many months of dating, there’s most likely an understanding — spoken or not — of exclusivity. If you’ve participated in such an activity and aren’t comfortable disclosing it to your man, then it’s cheating.

Think about the impact telling will have on him. Although honesty is usually the best policy, if this truly is a one-time experience, then why upset him? Consider dropping the matter and moving on. Do know, though, if he ever asks if you’ve cheated, you’ll have to disclose this indiscretion — because keeping a secret will force you to barricade a part of yourself and interfere with intimacy.

Finally, if this only occurred because of the alcohol, then lay off the booze. But consider the possibility that subconsciously you’ve got same-sex tendencies that came out because your inhibitions were reduced while under the influence.

If you are indeed confused about your sexuality, do yourself and him a favor and end the relationship. Don’t maintain one relationship for stability while exploring other options.

Jonathan Alpert is a licensed psychotherapist. His book, “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days,” is available now. E-mail him your questions at jonathan@jonathanalpert.com

The post Dating: I cheated at a party, what do I do now? appeared first on Metro.us.

Warm weather at the start of the year caused early pollination in some trees, exacerbating conditions for allergy sufferers and raising expectations that 2013 will see increased seasonal allergies. Metro asked immunologist Dr. Jennifer Collins, an assistant professor at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and author of the blog Itchy & Scratchy, for tips on combating the scurge.

Know what you’re allergic to
“Knowing what you’re allergic to is really important. An immunologist can test you and then give specific advice, and then give effective treatment. One of the things I see is people who have suffered for years and they don’t have to. The best thing about my job is helping people live a normal life.”

Manage with medications
“Many over-the-counter medications work just fine, but consult your doctor or an allergist. Steroids are used to help with the inflammation. There are side effects, long term, but steroids can stop acute allergies from becoming chronic. Allergy shots are effective. They introduce a small amount of an allergen and build gradually to trick the body. Eighty-five to 95 percent of people see about an 80 percent improvement and need less medication.”

Limit exposure to allergens at home
“Pollen levels are highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so close your windows. Make sure AC filters are clean and working effectively. If you have animals, wipe them down with a washcloth when you come in. Washing your sheets in hot water and regular cleaning will help, too.”

Sign up for alerts or get an app
“Lots of websites offer email alerts and there are apps, too. They help you to prepare for bad days. If you know the level is going to be high you can take your medication before going out and getting on with your normal life.”

Is it a cold, or an allergy?
“Symptoms can be difficult to differentiate from the common cold, because they include itchy eyes, runny nose — even itchy ears. You might get a sore throat, hives or welts on the arms, and sometimes asthma or coughing. Allergies can cause you to be more susceptible to bacterial or viral infection and can actually make you more vulnerable to a spring or summer cold.”

The post Beat your allergies this year appeared first on Metro.us.

Marc and Maya Silver

When Maya Silver was grappling with her mother’s breast cancer, she noticed that there weren’t many resources available for teens dealing with a parent’s cancer. So she tag-teamed with her dad — the author of “Breast Cancer Husbands — to create a survival guide for teens undergoing such duress, “My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks.” We asked the father-daughter duo about the best ways to help this underrepresented group cope.

You interviewed many teenagers for this book. Were there any recurring topics?

Maya: The friend issue came up over and over again, like, “My friends don’t really get it” or “I feel like I can’t talk to them about it.” Another thing was communication. [There was] a lot of variation in how much they wanted to know about their parent’s cancer. I think every teen valued being told the truth and being communicated with. We had a lot of teens say that their parents didn’t tell them right away or told them in a weird way and withheld information or made things seem sunnier than they really were. That really made the teens feel betrayed or like they didn’t know what was going on. We emphasize that in the book that communication is very important. It’s gonna vary from family to family, what works best and what everyone wants, but it has to be there.

Marc: Yeah. Some families have a family meeting tradition, and that’s fine, but some families don’t like family meetings and you don’t want to call the first meeting in your family’s history to present this news. Maybe your family works better just chatting in the car. Some people said maybe leave a notebook where everybody goes, and the kids write their questions and the parents read them and write their answers. The idea is that there’s no one size fits all way to tell the kids but like Maya said, you’ve got to be honest.

We often try to lend support to friends going through a rough time by saying something like, “If you need anything, let me know.” But Maya, what are some concrete words or actions that you appreciated when your mom was ill?

Maya: Just understanding. If I didn’t want to have any friends over to the house when my mom was really sick, or if I just wanted to get away and stay busy, I had people there to help me do that. You definitely hear a lot of “I’m so sorry!” [and] constant asking how you’re doing, how you’re family’s doing. That was not very helpful for me. Knowing that I had good friends around me and a strong family was very helpful.

What else did teens find not helpful?

Marc: One girl [we interviewed], Caitlin, went to school, and the teacher asked a question so Caitlin raised her hand to answer. And the teacher goes, “Oh, Caitlin, how’s your mom?” And Caitlin was so mad because she did not want to talk about or have to think about her mom at that moment  — she wanted to answer the question. Kids don’t want to be constantly reminded. A social worker at MD Anderson [Cancer Center] told me about a middle school’s boy’s mom who was diagnosed with cancer, and the school announced it over the [PA system]. They did it out of the best of intentions, I think to rally everybody around this kid, but this is not what that kid needed.

Maya: Another thing is an artificial sense of compassion. We had a couple of really out-there examples, like, “I know exactly how you feel, my gecko just died.” [Or] you tell someone that your mom has a serious form of breast cancer and they’re like, “Oh, my grandma’s sick too.” You want to be like, “You have no idea.”

What were some of most popular ways you found teens deal with their stress?

Marc: They found all kinds of ways to cope, and a lot of the ways they found were really positive, like listening to music, or going for a run, or writing in a journal, or playing video games. What’s cool about that is you’re learning how you can get through a tough time in life, and that’s something you can carry with you throughout your life.

Did you find any differences in how boys handled the issue, versus girls?

Marc: I interviewed a bunch of guys in Cleveland and two of them said that they punched a hole in their bedroom wall or in the house because they were so mad. After that, I asked every boy I interviewed, “So did you punch a hole in the wall?” and almost all of them said they did. (Laughs) There’s a little note in the book that’s how to repair that hole in the wall.

How much information should people at the teen’s school have?

Marc: It’s good if someone at school knows because that way the kid has a confidante. I think some kids might feel like, “Oh, I don’t want anyone at school to know.” And in general most of the experts that we interviewed said it’s really helpful to have someone at the school, even if it’s one person, who knows, because that way if there’s a change in the parents’ condition, if something’s going on at home, then you have a go-to person. If you want the teachers in the classroom to know, [that] can be helpful because a lot of kids were affected in the way they did their work at school — some kids overachieved, some kids just kind of stopped doing homework or didn’t focus as they usually did. It’s good if teachers understand why that’s happening.  And the parents and the kids can talk about it together.

In addition to the teens, you also interviewed a lot of experts. Did their advice match up with what the teens said?

Marc: I think they just emphasized that every kid’s gonna react differently and that that’s OK. One thing that’s surprising is they said some kids just don’t want to talk about it, and that’s OK. You can’t force the conversation when the kid doesn’t want to have it. The other thing that one expert talked about that was kind of intriguing, and I think this is something that adults can relate to too, she used this phrase “the tyranny of positive thinking.” The idea is that we live in a society where everybody wants you to be upbeat all the time and optimistic all the time, and you know what? People aren’t like that. It’s perfectly normal to be down and to be upset.

How can parents go about best communicating with their teen about their illness?

Maya: The first step to communicating is communicate about how you’re going to communicate. (Laughs) So instead of just assuming that your kid wants to know every detail, or that they don’t really want to know anything, or that they only want to hear good news, and instead of a parent assuming that the teen doesn’t want to talk about it, you should say from the outset, “We’re gonna have this experience for the next one to however many years —what do you want to know, and how would you like to communicate about this?” Like my dad said, some families, if they have preexisting family meetings, then that makes sense to have a weekly get-together and just kind of touch base and talk about what’s going on. Some teens might want to communicate through text, or email or whatever: Find out how your teen wants to communicate, and how much they want to know, and then you can adjust as needed.

Marc: It’s hard for a teen sometimes to confront a parent and say, “You’re not telling me enough.” A parent could say, like, a day later, “Hey, what I told you yesterday about dad’s surgery or mom’s chemotherapy, was that helpful? Was it too much information? Was it not enough information?” Ask follow-up questions and get a sense of what your kid needs from you.

The post Help for teens whose parents have cancer appeared first on Metro.us.

Throughout my life I’ve given up many bad habits. Most recently I got off coffee. Letting go of coffee was not easy. In fact, strange as it may sound, it was even harder than when I got sober eight years ago and gave up drugs and alcohol. Caffeine was my last drug, and because it wasn’t killing me I continued to give myself permission to drink it.

One of the main reasons we stay stuck in habits we know don’t serve us is because of our permission-giving thoughts, such as “One cup of coffee a day won’t kill me,” or, “I only drink on weekends.” These thoughts keep us convinced that there is nothing wrong with our behavior even though deep down we know it isn’t right.

In many cases we use our bad habits to avoid dealing with something much more difficult. In my case, I was using coffee as a final vice. As a sober woman I felt I deserved to have something I could turn to when I felt I needed a jolt. This habit seemed harmless, but when I got honest with myself it became clear that I was just using the coffee as another drug. Upon genuinely reviewing my behavior I came to realize that I had to stop giving myself permission to drink coffee and that it was time to change the habit.

Transitioning out of a bad habit can be really uncomfortable at first. To help you ease into the process, I’ve outlined the three steps that worked for me when I put down the coffee.

Step One: Keep it in the day

One of the main reasons we get tripped up when we try to change a habit is that we start future-tripping. For instance, when I was first letting go of coffee, I’d project onto the future with thoughts such as, “What will I do when I’m in Europe and I want a cappuccino?” What helped me most during these future flip-outs was to simply keep it in the day. I would tell myself, “I don’t need to worry about tomorrow. Today I choose not to drink coffee.” One day at a time I’ve stayed committed.

Step Two: Change your breath pattern

The moment we change our breath pattern we change our energy, thereby changing our experience. Whenever you notice yourself about to relapse into your negative behavior, take a long, deep breath. As you change your breath you change your energy. Your calm and centered energy will support you in positive behavior and stop you from indulging in your bad habit.

Step Three: Make it joyful

Letting go of a negative habit doesn’t have to be torturous. In fact, it can be joyful. To really create change we need more than just willpower: We must find the joy and curiosity in it. Letting go of a bad habit is really just creating a new habit. In that new habit you can find happiness. In my case, I chose not to dwell on the loss of coffee and instead I fell in love with organic tea and have become a tea connoisseur. When you find joy in creating a new habit you can effortlessly let go of the bad one.

If you’re ready to let go of that nasty vice, use these three steps. Keep it in the day, breathe through the transition and find joy in creating new habits.

The post How to break your bad habits appeared first on Metro.us.

A Samoan airline that says it is the world’s first carrier to charge passengers by their weight rather than per seat has defended the plan as the fairest way to fly, in some cases actually ending up cheaper than conventional tickets.

Samoa Air, which opened in 2012, asks passengers to declare their personal weight during booking, which is then charged per kilogram (2.2 lb) at a rate dependent on flight length. The customers will also be weighed at the check-in counter.

“The industry has this concept that all people throughout the world are the same size,” Samoa Air CEO Chris Langton told Reuters. “Aeroplanes always run on weight, irrespective of seats.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that this is the concept of the future. This is the fairest way of you travelling with your family, or yourself.”

Though the airline instituted the plan last November, it caught attention last week when the carrier began international flights to neighboring American Samoa and coincided with the publication of a report by a Norwegian economist suggesting that airlines should charge obese passengers more.

The Pacific Islands contain some of the world’s most obesity-stricken countries, many ranking in the top 10, according to the World Health Organization. Samoa is ranked No. 4, with 59.6 percent of the population considered obese, said the most recent 2008 WHO report.

According to Samoa Air’s latest schedule, the airline charges up to WS$1.32 ($0.57) per kilogram for domestic flights and WS$2.40 ($1.03) per kg for its only international flight to American Samoa, around 250 miles. A 150kg person flying one-way internationally would be charged $154.50.

Children under 12 are charged 75 percent of the adult rate, with fares also based on weight. Any overweight baggage is calculated at the same rate as the passenger’s personal weight.

The plan could actually prove cheaper in some cases, such as for families travelling with small children, and Langton said customer feedback has mainly been “amazingly positive.”

“When the initial shock has worn off, there’s been nothing but support,” said Langton. “People who are up around 200kg recognize … they’re paying (for) 200kg, so they deserve to get 200kg of comfort,” he added.

The post Samoan airline defends charging by passenger weight appeared first on Metro.us.

With spring officially upon us, millions of urban commuters are beginning to shed their quilted coats and search for excuses to spend more time outside. Commuting to work by bicycle can be a great way to savor the sunshine and jump-start your fitness routine while being eco-friendly. While inexperienced city cyclists might feel intimidated by busy streets and speedy drivers, it is easy to gain confidence quickly while navigating a city on two wheels. After over a decade of riding and working with bicycles in Tampa and NYC, bike mechanic, Max Boyajian is familiar with the challenges cyclists face in crowded areas. He shared a few tips for starting out as a bike commuter.

Stay away from parked cars
Riding too close to parked cars can be dangerous. Many drivers do not check for bikes after they’ve parked, which increases the risk of opening their car doors right into an oncoming cyclist. Cyclists have the right to ride in the center of a lane – cars will naturally pass them when it is safe.

Keep calm with drivers
Even if they are following the rules of the road, city cyclists are bound to get honked at by irritated drivers. Although it is startling at first, they can’t let it rattle them. Cyclists should also avoid provoking drivers unnecessarily. Try not to make them angry, because they’re surrounded by a few tons of steel. “You’ve got to learn how to be honked at,” Boyajian says.

Anticipate weather conditions, and plan accordingly
If you plan on cycling in all weather, you’ll need the proper gear. Waterproof outerwear can protect you from rain. Keep your clothes still professional-looking by installing fenders onto your wheels. “They might look a dumb, but they’re better than a strip of mud across your back,” Boyajian says.

Be prepared for common problems
Simple multi-use tools are easy to carry, and can help you address minor performance issues on the fly. Cyclists can save money by learning how to change their own air tubes instead of visiting a bike shop to repair every flat. Keeping your tires fully inflated will also help your bike ride as smoothly as possible, which many people forget if they haven’t ridden recently. If a bike hasn’t been used through the winter, the tires will need air. If you don’t own your own pump, almost every bike shop has free air available to allow passing cyclists to fill up their tires.

Don’t get sweaty
“Bringing a backpack with a change of clothes is helpful, but you can also dress in lightweight clothes and ride at a casual pace if you don’t want to bring extra stuff,” Boyajian says.

One last thing
“Get a basket or a rack,” Boyajian says. “Just do it. It will change your life. I will accept thank yous for this advice later.”

The post Stay safe on your bike commute to work appeared first on Metro.us.

If you thought PMS, bloating and zits were all just the lowlights of being a woman, Alisa Vitti would like you to think again.

“We teach our patients to think what’s normal is not to have PMS, to feel great all month, to have natural conception, not to have post partum depression,” says Vitti, a women’s hormonal health expert and the author of “WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive and Become a Power Source.” “What’s normal is a sex drive that increases as you age, not decreases. What’s normal is to have a metabolism that’s helping you maintain your healthy weight effortlessly. Anything that’s not that isn’t normal. We shouldn’t get desensitized to that in our bodies or in our thinking.”

In college, Vitti, a med student at the time, thought her heavy weight, cystic acne and missed periods were due to polycystic ovarian syndrome, until she came across a small article about a disease called Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. Convinced this disease was the root of her problems, Vitti took the information to her doctor, who thought the best course of treatment would be medication. But “that wasn’t a good enough answer to ‘what do we do now?’” Vitti says. Instead, she did a lot of her own research on her condition and was shocked to find that diet played a role.

“I was exposed to some of the cutting edge research that was coming out from the Human Genome Project, which discovered this protein structure that wraps around your DNA strands,” she says. “It [works] like a switch. And the only thing that they found that would turn these switches on or off — to having your body express disease or health — was what you were eating and how you were living. And I thought, ‘Oh my God: If we can manipulate our gene expression with food and lifestyle, we can apply that to entire glands and organs and entire organ systems, like the endocrine systems.”

If you currently find yourself in hormonal hell, Vitti has a plan to get back on track — and it starts with your diet.

What to avoid:

Soy, specifically soy protein isolate: “Most convenient soy products that consumers purchase are highly concentrated in soy protein isolate. They are not getting the benefits of the whole bean. Rather, they are getting soy protein isolate, which is full of concentrated estrogen and exacerbates their hormonal symptoms,” Vitti says. “They did a crazy study in Brazil on female lab rats eating tofu —the uterus changed shape and it caused male infertility.” But fermented soy, including miso paste and tempeh, is OK in moderation, as is tofu in small quantities (as long as it’s organic and GMO-free).

Dairy: “The casein in dairy has been shown to build up a plaque on the small intestine,” Vitti says, blocking absorption of vital micronutrients. Concerned about calcium? Vitti says that on her plan, eliminating dairy also means adding in more foods that are other good sources of calcium, like kale, bok choy, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds

Gluten: “Wheat-based products cause such inflammation in the intestine,” Vitti says. “Most people are gluten-sensitive and don’t realize it.”

What to load up on:

Fermented foods: “Fermented foods provide the body with probotics, which help you absorb more nutrients. They also contain called Indole-3-carbinol which breaks down estrogen.”

Green juices: “You’re getting your high levels of antioxidants that help protect the ovaries.”

Sweet potatoes: “I love them for the vitamin A to help with your liver.”

Pasture-fed eggs (with the yolks): “They help the body make progesterone, which is the hormone that opposes estrogen and keeps you balanced in terms of your mood and keeps all those PMS symptoms away.”

Avocados: “I love avocados for the EFAs That keep our hormones really, really healthy.”

Spinach, kale and collard greens: “I love dark, leafy greens for the calcium and magnesium that help our body utilize hormones as we’re producing them.”

The post What your hormones are trying to tell you appeared first on Metro.us.

Last year’s Scotland Run

Ever wanted to run in a kilt? Saturday’s 10th Annual Scotland Run & Festival will give you the chance to do so. The 10K in Central Park will end with a Scotland festival featuring
music from Scottish hip hop group Stanley Odd, a genealogist, a photo booth, outdoor survival tips from a Bear Grylls Survival Academy grad, a trip giveaway to Scotland (for one lucky runner), face painting, dances and more. Swing by between 8 a.m. and noon, and sign up for the race at www.nyrr.org.

The Swedish Institute will host a two-day health fair this Thursday and Friday on the importance of hypertension (high blood pressure) screening. Hypertension, which can show no symptoms, can lead to heart attack and stroke. Stop by 151 W. 26th St. anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for your free screening.

Crunch Gyms is launching Stiletto Strength this month — a podiatrist-approved high heel workout designed to improve posture and strengthen the core — in partnership with Nine West. Visit www.crunch.com for schedules.

If you spend your days at the water cooler comparing your recent CSA gets with your colleagues, consider signing up for Katchkie Farm’s Workplace CSA, which will deliver vegetables directly to your office. The 60-acre organic farm in Kinderhook, N.Y., is offering 22-week and 11-week programs, with the first shipments arriving on June 11. For 22 weeks, the cost per person is $580 (sounds pricey, but that’s a pretty reasonable deal), and for 11 weeks, the cost is $290. A minimum of 20 employees are needed from each office. Learn more and sign up at www.katchkiefarm.com.

Tonight, the American Cancer Society is hosting the first public screening of “Decoding Annie Parker,” a film starring Helen Hunt about the discovery of the BRCA gene and its connection to breast cancer. Tickets are available at  http://decodingannieparker.eventbrite.com/ and sales go back to the American Cancer Society. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. premiere, at the Directors Guilt Theater (110 W. 57th St.).

The post Health happenings around the city appeared first on Metro.us.

The question:

“I am so tired of the city, but I have to live here because of my husband’s job. The traffic, noise and pushy people seriously stress me out. Plus it’s so expensive! My husband promises we’ll move in a few years, when he’s more established. But for now, I’m stuck. Any words of wisdom?”

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking a professional workshop on mindfulness interventions for stress and depression relapse prevention. Our first exercise was to explore a raisin from the perspective of what Buddhists call “Beginner’s Mind.” Our instructions: to see, taste, smell, and handle the tiny shriveled morsel as if experiencing it for the first time. Participants discovered faces in the raisin’s ridges, hidden flavors, and childlike delight in remembering its Playdough-like pliability.

Simply put, the point of the lesson was to demonstrate how otherwise familiar objects take on a whole new light when you slow down to pay closer attention to them. The same can be said of urban life. Whether you live in New York, Boston or Philadelphia, most cityslickers have mastered the art of tunnel vision to maintain sanity amid the pandemonium. But from the perspective of Beginner’s Mind, you don’t need to escape the city to find peace. In fact, all of urban life could be seen as an opportunity for mindfulness practice. Here are some examples:

1)     To practice Beginner’s Mind, walk down a block near your home or work that you don’t normally take. Find something that draws your attention – a tree, beautiful architecture, an animal, or a sidewalk flowerbed. Using as many senses as appropriate, spend five minutes watching and noticing the intricacies of this object. You might be pleasantly surprise to notice things you might have overlooked before.

2)     Frequent unexpected delays and detours on buses, trains and traffic offer an ideal opportunity to practice the mindfulness concept of Patience. Next time you’re stopped on the Express train while several Local trains breeze past, take several deep breaths, and gently remind yourself, “I am practicing patience.” You might also simultaneously practice “Beginner’s Mind” as you study the faces of fellow passengers and see how many soften when you smile.

3)     Unexplained, prolonged delays on trains and buses when you’re running late for an appointment, no one explains the problem, and you have to go to the bathroom, are stellar opportunities to practice Patience, Trust that your colleagues will understand, and Letting Go of circumstances beyond your control (but not your bladder). Take deep breathes and feel your feet on the ground. Simultaneously, you might also simultaneously practice Non-Judging. Maybe the conductor isn’t taking a nap, or consumed in a riveting game of iphone Solitaire. Perhaps he or she has laryngitis, ran to the bathroom, or hasn’t been notified by headquarters. Again, take several deep breaths.

4)     Circling around six times for a parking spot on the Upper West Side on a Sunday night is an opportunity to practice Trust that someone will eventually pull out just as your pulling up, and Letting Go when you realize you have to throw the car in a lot.

5)     Next time you feel you’re not doing enough, seeing enough, reading enough, and being enough, practice the art of Non-Striving. While antithetical to most cosmopolitans, non-striving means that you don’t need to do anything – just allow yourself to be. Embrace the perfection of imperfection. Also resist the desire to strive towards Non-Striving (New Yorkers, this means you!)

6)     We practice Acceptance when we see things just as they are. We accept that we got a parking ticket as the price of having a car in the city. We practice Non-Judging by forgiving ourselves for forgetting that Tuesday is street cleaning. And we accept that sometimes we have to live in over-priced, over-crowded cities because our loved ones are employed here.

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Content provided by www.HealthBytesNYC.com

Chances are, you know someone — a family member, friend, coworker or neighbor — whose life has been touched by cancer. It can be the hardest thing in the world to watch someone you care about struggle with this disease. What if I told you there was something simple you could do now to help prevent others — perhaps even your own children or grandchildren — from getting cancer in the future?
Now there is: You can participate in a new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3), managed by the American Cancer Society (ACS). In Manhattan, Continuum Cancer Centers of New York  is partnering with ACS in this historic nationwide study that aims to help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer — in essence, who gets cancer, who doesn’t, and why? Ultimately, the goal of the study, which will follow participants over 20 years, is to limit cancer’s reach and save the lives of future generations.

Who can enroll?
Anyone who:
• Is between 30 and 65 years old;
• Has never been diagnosed with cancer (except for basal or squamous cell skin cancers);
• Is willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which simply involves completing periodic follow-up questionnaires.

What’s involved?
Step 1 – Register for an enrollment appointment at www.cps3manhattan.org.
Step 2 – You will receive a health history survey by e-mail; complete this prior to your enrollment appointment (takes about 30 minutes to fill out).
Step 3 – At your appointment, you will answer a few more questions, have your waist circumference measured and give a small blood sample (similar to a doctor’s visit), taken by a certified, trained phlebotomist.
Step 4 – Every 2 or 3 years, you will be sent a brief follow-up survey at home to complete and return.

What about my privacy?
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to the study, which has multiple procedures in place to safeguard your personal information.

What difference will the study make?
Results from previous long-term follow-up studies like this one have established major links between smoking and lung cancer, physical activity and cancer prevention and obesity and cancer risk, to name a few. Now is your chance to join fellow New Yorkers and thousands of others across the nation in advancing cancer research even further. Perhaps someday you’ll be able to tell your grandson or grandniece, “I helped researchers figure out how to prevent cancer — I helped save lives!”

Be sure to make an appointment at one of the Continuum Cancer Centers of New York enrollment locations, and encourage your friends and family to sign up, too!

Continuum Cancer Centers of New York (CCCNY) Enrollment Dates and Locations
Register here for an enrollment appointment at one of the following CCCNY locations:

Tuesday, April 30, 9 am to 1 pm
Beth Israel Medical Center – Phillips Ambulatory Care Center
10 Union Square East, 2nd floor, conference rooms 1-3

Tuesday, April 30, 2 pm to 6 pm
Beth Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center – West Campus
325 W. 15th St., main conference room

Wednesday, May 1, 11 am to 3 pm
Beth Israel Medical Center – Petrie Campus
Bernstein Pavilion, reception area
10 Nathan D. Perlman Place

Friday, May 3, 10 am to 2 pm
Roosevelt Hospital
1000 Tenth Ave., conference room 5

Information provided by Michael P. Osborne, MD, Director, Strang Cancer Screening and Prevention Program, Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, and Attending Surgeon, Appel Venet Comprehensive Breast Center, Beth Israel Medical Center

The post Change the World — Join cancer prevention study today for a cancer-free tomorrow appeared first on Metro.us.

Content provided by www.HealthBytesNYC.com

Some people simply cannot be convinced to eat broccoli despite all its nutritional value. Fortunately, there are other cruciferous vegetables that, like broccoli, are packed with beneficial nutrients that research tells us may have the ability to fight cancer, decrease cognitive decline associated with aging and reduce inflammation in the body.

Part of the cabbage family, cruciferous vegetables include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Swiss chard and collard greens, among others. Including these nutrient-packed veggies in your diet is easy, especially since they are widely available in grocery stores and green markets. Here are just a few ideas for you to try:

Cauliflower
Try oven-roasting cauliflower, which will enhance its natural sweetness. For a change of pace, seek out the antioxidant-rich purple variety or the orange cauliflower, which is rich in vitamin A. Hold the cheese sauce, though—it adds too many calories from saturated fat.

Bok Choy
Bok choy, also known as Chinese cabbage, is very low in calories and can be steamed, sautéed or stir-fried. It also is delicious raw, tossed lightly with a dressing made with rice wine or cider vinegar and a small amount of oil and reduced-sodium soy sauce. Eating the bok choy raw helps preserve the vitamin C, which is heat-sensitive.

Kale
Kale, often called a “super food” because it is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, can be steamed, sautéed or eaten raw.

Recipes and More
The American Institute for Cancer Research website is a great resource for reading about cancer-fighting foods and for delicious recipes to enjoy them.

Information provided by Michele Weisberger, Registered Dietician and Nutritionist for Cancer Supportive Services at Beth Israel Medical Center.

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Content provided by www.HealthBytesNYC.com

What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a commonly used term to describe lateral epicondylitis. Lateral epicondylitis is inflammation of the tendons on the lateral (side) aspect of the elbow. Over time, slowly healing micro tears occur that can lead to break down of the tendon. Through repetitive stress or overuse, the extensor tendons become painful at the area where they originate from the bone, which is the lateral epicondyle.

I don’t play tennis, so why do I have lateral elbow pain?
Although lateral epicondylitis has been linked to racquet sports, such as tennis, you do not have to play tennis to be diagnosed with this condition. Any activity requiring repetitive movement of the wrist can cause lateral epicondylitis. Examples of activities where people perform repetitive wrist movements are gardening (using pruning shears), playing sports (throwing/hitting items), or homemaking tasks (chopping vegetables/sweeping floors).

I feel very sharp pain at my elbow, is this typical?
When people have lateral epicondylitis they can often feel intense, sharp pain with active straightening of the elbow, movement of the wrist, lifting objects or palpating the lateral elbow. The pain can radiate along the extensor muscles on the forearm.

How can I prevent tennis elbow?
When playing sports, make sure to use proper technique and appropriately sized equipment. Using racquets that are too heavy can increase the likelihood of developing lateral elbow pain. If pain occurs when lifting items, try to modify the way you lift the items. For example, if lifting grocery bags causes you to have lateral elbow pain, use a cart or a backpack to carry groceries. If pain occurs while performing repetitive activities, change the way you perform the activity. For instance, if cutting vegetables and meats causes you pain, buy precut foods or cut the foods over a longer period of time (take breaks between each item).

If you think you’re suffering from tennis elbow, call 1.866.804.1007 to find a doctor who can help.

Information provided by Stacy Oster, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Senior Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist at Beth Israel Medical Center.

The post How do I know if I have Tennis Elbow? appeared first on Metro.us.

After news that 7,000 patients were potentially exposed to HIV from a dental office, a community in Tulsa is reeling in shock, fear and horror at the possibility of a health crisis.

Joyce Baylor, 69, visited W. Scott Harrington, the oral surgeon at the center of this horrific nightmare, to have a tooth removed a year and a half ago, and never imagined her health could be in jeopardy. She said she didn’t notice anything unusual about the office’s cleanliness during her visit, but it was only because she wasn’t on guard about sanitation, trusting that a certified doctor like Harrington would be taking the right precautions.

“I am devastated now that this has come about,” Baylor told Metro from her home in Tulsa. “I always felt comfortable when I go to doctor, never thinking anything negative because you are in a doctor’s office and they took an oath to take care of [their patients], but apparently something went wrong.”

Baylor made an appointment to be tested for hepatitis and HIV this coming Monday after learning from the local news that she could be at risk. She has already heard of one person in her community testing positive for HIV since news broke that Harrington’s patients as far back as 2007 may have been exposed.

“I can’t understand. He is a doctor — I’m sure he makes money,” Baylor said. “Why would he need to use rusty needles? I can’t understand why he would allow this. It’s unbelievable.”

Investigators said they uncovered horrific conditions inside Harrington’s dental office after learning that someone may have contracted hepatitis C there. Dentistry board members said they felt sick to their stomachs after observing unsanitized tools and rusty needles. It’s also alleged that unlicensed employees were performing intravenous sedation on patients.

Harrington told investigators many of his patients had HIV. He has since surrendered his dental license. The health department is in the process of notifying by letter more than 7,000 of his former patients that they should be tested.

For now, Baylor must anxiously await the results of her HIV and hepatitis tests. She said this entire experience has made her question visits to other doctors. Baylor said she is sorry to see this happen to Harrington, but that he should face consequences under the law.

“This is negligence – so whatever charges that apply to what he has done, I suppose he should pay the price,” Baylor said.

“Who can you trust if you can’t trust your doctor?”

The post Tulsa patient speaks out after potential HIV exposure at ‘shop of horrors’ dental office appeared first on Metro.us.

Topic of Study: Screen time and kids’ behavior
Location of study: U.K.
Study subjects: 11,000 children born between 2000 and 2002
Results: A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood states that five year-olds who watch TV for more than three hours a day are more likely to engage in negative antisocial behaviors, such as fighting or stealing, by the age of seven. But researchers also found that time spent playing computer or electronic games had no impact on behavior.
Significance: The report stated that the risk of TV’s influence on behavioral development was found to be very small, adding little conclusive evidence to the long waged debate on how screen time affects children’s development.

Topic of Study: Microorganisms and obesity
Location of study: U.S.
Study subjects: 792 people
Results: Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have found that people whose breath had high concentrations of both hydrogen and methane gasses – that is, bad breath — were more likely to be overweight. The cause is an abundance of a microorganism called methanobrevibacter smithii, which helps convert food into energy.
Significance: “Usually, the microorganisms living in the digestive tract benefit us by helping convert food into energy. However, when this particular organism– M. smithii – becomes overabundant, it may alter this balance in a way that causes someone to be more likely to gain weight,” because they hold onto more calories, lead author Dr. Ruchi Mathur says.

Topic of Study: How diet influences disease
Location of study: U.S.
Study subjects: 380,000 people
Results: A 13-year study found that people who made seven lifestyle changes recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research cut their risk of dying from many diseases – including cancer, circulatory disease and respiratory disease — by 34 percent, compared to those who did not follow the recommendations. The research, published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” found that the greatest ways to reduce the risk of premature death was to avoid being overweight or obese (22 percent lower risk), and eat a plant-based diet (21 percent lower risk).
Significance: Researchers think that this is more evidence that diet and lifestyle greatly affect the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Topic of Study: Difficulty getting pregnant linked to neuro problems
Location of study: Denmark
Study subjects: 209 two-year-olds
Results: A study of children born to parents with impaired fertility — that is, those who fail to become pregnant within 12 months of trying — found that neurological development problems in their children were more likely. Most of the children studied were born to parents who become pregnant via fertility treatment. The study, published online in the Fetal & Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood, concluded that longer it took for the women to get pregnant, the more likely her child was to have neurodevelopment problems.
Significance: Ironically, the data shows that efforts to increase fertility may actually be causing more harm than good. Previous studies have found that children conceived via fertility treatment also have a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

The post Today in Medicine: More screen time linked to bad behavior in kids appeared first on Metro.us.

Allowing children to spend hours each day watching TV or playing computer games does not make them badly behaved, according to a new study.

Instead, said the authors of a report that studied 11,000 children aged 4-11, bad behavior is more likely caused by bad parenting.

The Medical Research Council findings contradicted advice issued by American health professionals that says children should be limited to two hours of watching non-violent TV programs per day – or behavioral problems could result.

The MRC study said that while long hours of watching TV could lead to very limited behavior issues in children at age seven, the effect was minimal.

Children who spent hours playing computer games showed no increase in behavioral issues at all.

Dr. Alison Parkes, of the MRC said: “Our work suggests that limiting the amount of time children spend in front of the TV is, in itself, unlikely to improve psychosocial adjustment.”

She added that intervention to improve family dynamics – such as improving parenting skills – would have a more marked effect on children’s behavior.

The post Kids’ behavior not harmed by too much TV: study appeared first on Metro.us.

Kids meals in restaurant chains fail nutrition tests according to a new study

The menus offered to children by most U.S. restaurant chains have too many calories, too much salt or fat, and often not a hint of vegetables or fruit, according to a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The group, which has agitated for everything from healthier popcorn at the movies to calorie labeling in supermarkets, found that among almost 3,500 combinations surveyed, kids’ meals failed to meet nutritional standards 97 percent of the time.

That was a marginal improvement over 2008 when such meals failed to meet standards 99 percent of the time.

Every children’s meal offered at popular chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Dairy Queen, Hardee’s, McDonald’s, Panda Express, Perkins Family Restaurants and Popeyes fell short of standards adopted by the center from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutritional recommendations.

The meals also fell short of standards set by the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell Program, said the CSPI, which titled its study, “Kids’ Meals: Obesity on the Menu.”

“Most chains seem stuck in a time warp, serving up the same old meals based on chicken nuggets, burgers, macaroni and cheese, fries, and soda,” said Margo Wootan, CSPI nutrition policy director. “It’s like the restaurant industry didn’t get the memo that there’s a childhood obesity crisis.”

Among the meals singled out was Applebees’ grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, fries and two percent chocolate milk, which has 1,210 calories, 62 grams of fat and 2,340 milligrams of sodium.

The combo meal had nearly three times as many calories as the CSPI’s criteria for four- to- eight-year-olds suggest.

At Ruby Tuesday, the macaroni and cheese, white cheddar mashed potatoes and fruit punch combo has 870 calories, 46 grams of fat and 1700 milligrams of sodium, said Wootan.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that children eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt each day to avoid high blood pressure, which can lead to coronary disease, stroke and other ailments.

Being overweight as a child leaves a person vulnerable to heart disease, diabetes and a shortened life span. About one-third of American children are now considered overweight and 17 percent are considered obese, according to USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The CSPI cited Subway restaurants’ Fresh Fit For Kids meal combinations as exceptions to the salty, fatty norm.

Subway serves apple slices with its kid-sized sub sandwiches and offers low-fat milk or bottled water instead of soda. All eight of its children’s meals met CSPI’s nutrition criteria.

A few other establishments have begun to offer side dishes beyond French fries. In fact, every child’s meal at Longhorn Steakhouse now comes with fruit or a vegetable.

“More chains are adding fruit, like apple slices, to their menus, but practically every chain could be adding more vegetable and whole grain options,” said Ameena Batada, an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Wellness at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

Labeling can be a potent tool. The report cited two studies that indicated customers who are provided with calorie counts on the menu sometimes gravitate toward healthier choices.

To produce its study, the CSPI looked at 50 top U.S. chain restaurants, finding 34 of them had meals designed for children and were willing to provide nutritional data. It analyzed those meals and meal combinations.

The post Kids’ restaurant meals ‘have too much salt, fat’ appeared first on Metro.us.

Pregnant women who sleep on their back increase the risk of having a stillbirth, according to a new study released Wednesday.

The sleeping position has been linked to low birth weight in newborns, which seemed to increase infant mortality, according to the research carried out in Ghana, Africa.

The University of Michigan carried out the research on 1,000 African women, but a study carried out in New Zealand also suggests that sleeping on the back increases stillbirth risks in more developed countries.

Louise O’Brien, of the University of Michigan, said: “If maternal sleep position does play a role in stillbirth, encouraging pregnant women everywhere not to sleep on their back is a simple approach that may improve pregnancy outcomes.”

Researchers found that sleeping on the back increased uterine pressure, leading in some cases to reduced cardiac output and stillbirth.

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