The study collected data about choices consumers made among 12 entrees offered at a university dining center that operates much like a fast-food restaurant. Researchers found that when nutrition information was provided at the point-of-purchase, sales of high-calorie entrees dramatically decreased, while sales of lower-calorie items substantially increased. After the nutrition information was removed, sales of the higher-calorie items gradually increased again.

The study offers strong evidence for requiring restaurants to provide nutrition information in a manner that doesn’t require consumers to ask for it or look for it, said Gail Kaye, one of the study’s authors. Significantly, the restaurant lost nothing in sales during the study, Kaye said. The revenue per entree sold remained consistent before, during and after the nutrition information was offered. This finding could help reduce qualms of restaurants hesitant to offer calorie information to consumers for fear that sales would decrease, but Kaye, a program director with Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Human Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology, is even more interested in the calorie savings for consumers.

Source: USAgNet.com

They studied the link between four features of Type A behavior (leadership, aggression, being “hard-driving” and eagerness-energy) in 752 workers. High scores for aggression, hard-driving and eagerness-energy were all associated with high levels of job stress. The researchers also found a relation between these three traits and “effort-reward imbalance,” a major contributor to work stress.

In contrast, high scores on leadership were associated with lower levels of work stress, the University of Helsinki team found. A high leadership score was linked to high work effort, but also to high work rewards. In addition, a high leadership score was connected with high job control, which can help lower work stress.

Source: MSN

Ingredients:

1/2-1 cup beef TVP, reconstituted
1/2 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup green chilis, chopped
3/4 cup rice
1 1/2 cup water
2 chicken bullion cubes
1 small tomato, chopped
herbs/spices: cumin, chili powder, paprika, pepper, bay leaf, oregano, hot sauce

Instructions:

Saute the TVP, onion, garlic and green chilis in a little olive oil until the onions start to turn translucent. Add the
rice and stir so the rice soaks up some of the flavored oil. Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, then turn
down to a simmer, cover, and let cook until all the liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice as it cooks.

A note on the herbs/spices: Do these to taste. Recommended-ish: 1/2 T cumin, 1/2 T chili powder, 1/2 t paprika, dash of
pepper, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 t oregano, dash of hot sauce

Study author Hiroyasu Inoue of Nara Women’s University in Nara, Japan, says essential oils from clove, rose, eucalyptus, fennel and bergamot also suppress the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme, an enzyme responsible for inflammation and pain.

The study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, suggests the anti-inflammatory effect of the six essential oils, which compares to the health benefits of the chemical resveratrol in red wine — is due to the chemical carvacrol.

Of the six, thyme oil proved to be the most effective.

Source: UPI

The study suggests that smokers and nonsmokers who consume a minimum of one cup of green tea per day appear to have a nearly 13-fold and fivefold lower risk, respectively, for developing lung cancer than smokers and nonsmokers who don’t drink any green tea.

The observed protective effect seems to result from the strong “antioxidative property” of polyphenols found in green tea preparations.

Source: HealthScout

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 2 tablespoons chopped shallot
* 1 teaspoon finely grated tangerine peel
* 1 5-ounce package mixed baby greens
* 2 medium fennel bulbs, very thinly sliced crosswise, fronds chopped
* 4 tangerines, peeled, segmented

Directions:

Whisk the first four ingredients together, then season with salt and pepper. Split the greens between four plates and top with the tangerines and fennel. Drizzle dressing over salads and top with the chopped fronds.

Source: epicurious

Do your sun salutations in style with one of 10 So Low yoga sets. Each includes a bag, mat, pair of cotton pants, and matching top (a $190 value).

Enter this yoga contest here.

Prizes include:

One (1) grand prizewinner winner will receive a Savasa prize package including, one (1) Eco Yoga Mat (ARV $30.00), one (1)Yoga Block (ARV $8.00), one (1) Eco Body Ball (ARV $25.00), one (1) Hand Weight Set (ARV $60.00), one (1) Resistance Band (ARV $15.00), one (1) Eco Jump Rope (ARV $10.00), one (1) Flat Pilates Band (ARV $15.00), one (1) FitAll Mesh Pocket for Shoe & Arm (ARV $8.00), one (1) pair of Ankle weights (ARV $75.00). Total ARV of grand prize package $246.00. Fifty (50) first prizewinners will each receive a prize package including three (3) Savasa Resistance Bands and one (1) Workout DVD approximate retail value (“ARV”) $15.00. Total ARV of all prizes awarded $261.00.

You can enter this contest here.

The prizes:

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZING: On or about March 23, 2010, a random drawing from among all eligible entries received will be conducted under Sponsor’s supervision.

1. One (1) winner will receive one (1) $500 gift certificate to Bliss spas and one (1) $500 prize pack of Bliss beauty products, total retail value (“RV”) $1,000
2. One (1) winner will receive one (1) $500 gift certificate to Elizabeth Arden Red Door spas and one (1) $500 prize pack of Elizabeth Arden beauty products,

total RV $1,000

1. One (1) winner will receive one (1) $1,000 gift certificate from Spa Finder
2. One (1) winner will receive one (1) prize pack of Aveda spa beauty products,

RV $1,000

1. One (1) winner will receive a prize package consisting of a gift certificate for a three night spa weekend getaway for two at either Canyon Ranch Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts or Tucson, Arizona, which includes round-trip coach air transportation for two within the continental U.S.; ground transportation to/from Tucson International, Hartford or Albany airports or Albany (Rensselaer) train; three daily gourmet meals; $390 per person allowance toward spa, sports and integrative wellness services; complimentary fitness classes; use of fully equipped spa complex; guided hikes and biking excursions; daily selection of educational lectures and cooking demonstrations; personal program advisor to custom-design the stay; health and fitness assessment; RV $6,400, plus a $655 prize pack of Canyon Ranch beauty products; total prize package RV $7,055. Certificate valid April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011, excluding December 23, 2010 through January 1, 2011, and the month of March at the Tucson Spa. Restrictions and additional blackout periods may apply. All other expenses not listed, including but not limited to, taxes, gratuities, incidentals, are the responsibility of the winner.

You can register online here.

“Yoga gives these women back the sense that they still have untapped reserves of life and health and youth in them – that they are not old and maimed and sick at all, but still very much alive,” says Deirdre Summerbell, a yoga teacher and founder of the organisation Project Air.

Since its launch in 2007, thousands of women who were raped during the genocide in 1994, many of whom were consequently infected by HIV/AIDS, have been reached with yoga classes given by Project Air.

In partnership with local gynaecologic health centres that perform fistula operations for survivors of rape, the organisation is now planning to expand into the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman or girl.

This is the first time that yoga has been included as a programmed mental health service of a medical NGO in Africa.

Check out the whole interview at IPSNews.net.