Kimkins Controversy - Kimkins Scam

The Cost of Obesity

I was almost going to write a post with some lame jokey title referencing giant peaches, because of this article about the obesity rate in Georgia. As I read the article, I came to realize that the state wasn’t a standout in the statistics, there are a few with worse numbers.

The estimate of the COST of obesity is worth commenting on. The seven figure Kimkins scam is small potatoes compared to the $2.1 BILLION that State officials have estimated obesity costs Georgia every year. I haven’t formed a solid opinion on this type of statistic. I would be interested to see what other people have to say.

Ever Lose Weight as a Result of Going OFF a Diet?

A close friend of mine was getting frustrated because she was dieting and working out without getting the scale to budge. We had a staff party and it was reason enough to go off the diet. I bought the cake… and the chips. The diet (I think it was CORE) was put aside for an entire weekend. I heard from her on Tuesday about the surprise weight loss.

I would be interested in any comments about this phenomenon.

Why the Lack of Fascination with Kimkins?

The wheels of justice turn slowly. Fortunately for Heidi Diaz, the core demographic that she defrauded grew up watching Sesame Street and have a short attention span as a result.

That may be an exaggeration, but there certainly is less going on on the blogosphere. A result in the proceedings will probably get some people talking for awhile, maybe even the media. Personally, I think the media is done with this human drama.

A Sign of the Times

There was the story last year about Disney refitting a ride and some people claiming that it was related to Americans becoming heavier. Now I just read that Canon has increased the thickness of its copier glass from 4mm to 5mm. The back story is that people really do sit on them at Christmas parties. The lewd tradition has consistently resulted in a 25% increase in repair calls to technicians.

I am not making this up.

Fat Actress?

If you are sensitive to criticism, here is a dose of perspective for you. This video features Aishwarya Rai, who is considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the World. She has recently been the subject of some very harsh criticism in the Indian media. This criticism is about her weight.

As an actress, she is asked to lose 10 or more pounds for movie roles on occasion. I think that is a reasonable request. Actors often take it upon themselves to gain or lose significant amounts of weight. I remember Tom Hanks looking lanky for Philadelphia and Castaway. Some actors and actresses gain weight on purpose for roles. George Clooney was supposedly thrown into a state of depression after he gained 30 pounds for a role.

Anyway, the Indian actress should not have to suffer the derision of the tabloids over a little bit of belly fat.

Watching the Watch Wearing Celebrities

Celebrities like George Clooney and Brad Pitt get to endorse watches, really good ones. There is nothing Mickey mouse about a Seiko Watch or a TAG Heur.

I should really get a divers watch so I don’t have to remember to take it off when I do exciting and glamorous stuff like washing the dishes.

The funniest movie moment involving watches features Sean Penn and Billy Bob Thornton. Sean Penn is desperate to get out of town and his car is in Billy Bob’s repair shop. The repair bill is obscenely inflated and Sean offers to pay with his Rolex because he just wants to get away (from J Lo, who wouldn’t?)… Anyway, Billy-Bob looks at the watch for a moment and then complains that it doesn’t have any numbers on it. He then points to the watch that he already has that it black and includes a full function calculator. I am torn as to which watch I would prefer.

Bucking The System

I think that the best value in a Las Vegas vacation is one that is planned around an event. This is especially true if you manage to avoid gambling. Gambling is for losers. If I was to go to Las Vegas, I would not drop one nickel on the casinos. I am obtuse like that.

I would consider getting National Final Rodeo tickets. I am ostensibly anonymous on this blog and I might be giving myself away if I admit to having ridden a steer before. I didn’t make it to the buzzer. I stayed on my feet. There is no prize for staying on your feet.

I think that anyone who is considering a trip to Las Vegas should do a careful internet search to see what events may be coinciding with their trip. I was at a conference thing in the Western US a few years ago and by sheer coincidence one of my favorite bands, the Cowboy Junkies, were playing at the same resort. I was indecisive about playing hooky from my conference and when I finally made up my mind to go to the wicket they were sold out. Actually that’s not quite right. I went early in the morning and there was nobody at the wicket. When I checked later on in the early afternoon there were no tickets.

Food Safety

Have you ever thought that it’s possible that people who eat more meat as part of a low carb way of eating are at a higher risk of food borne illness? I don’t know if this is true. I do know that being careful and smart about handling meat can mean fewer bouts of illness for you and your family and reduce the likelihood of having a serious food poisoning occur.

I remember Oprah spending months harping on and on about not thawing out chicken on the counter. At the time, I have to admit that I found it annoying. Now I am wondering how many lives she may have saved with her tirades.

There are lots of government websites and other resources that can provide more accurate and complete information about food safety…

WHO page on food safety

Foodlink

The FDA’s Playing it Safe with Eggs

Reaching Out

Blogs serve various purposes for various people. I became a bit upset when I recently saw a blog that was being used by someone with a serious eating disorder, possibly bulimia. Her profile information sounded positive and hopeful with regard to recovering, but her journal style entries were shocking details of an unhealthy relationship with food. The shield of anonymity prevents me from trying to help this person in any substantial way. If any of my readers think they have enough life experience and empathy to reach out to a binge and purge blogger, go to Egocidal.blogspot.com.

Spreadable Butter Made Easy

I recently felt more joy than circumstances warranted when I started using our new can opener. Basically, our old one was crap and the new one was as good as it gets. I hadn’t realized just how much my life had been diminished by that crappy can opener.

This post is not about can openers, it is about a really cool French butter keeper from Vat19. Seeing how it works has made me question how much better my life could be if my butter would spread well at room temperature. I should note that with the cost of heating fuel rising, ‘room’ temperature is lower than ever, at least in the winter.

Vat19 is a really cool online store. Some product are a bit silly and some are pure genius.