Have you ever eaten organic food? If not, you will soon be in the minority: Close to four in 10 consumers buy some type of organic food when they food shop, according to a 2001 consumer survey by Rodale Press. Sales of organic products are climbing so fast that they are expected to reach $20 billion in the next three years.

But just who are these four in 10 consumers? Are they the hardcore, zealous health-food-eating types and strict vegetarians? While these groups do help make up part of this organic-purchasing group, the bulk of the growth in this category is coming from mainstream Americans simply looking for better, healthier food choices for themselves and their families.

Lisa Lorimer, CEO of Vermont Bread Company, has been baking and selling organic bread products for more than 20 years. Her Brattleboro bakery in scenic Southern Vermont produces more than 15 million pounds of all natural and certified organic breads and English muffins a year.

"There are more and more organic products being created and sold every day, and much of that growth is from mainstream supermarkets," said Lorimer.

But just why is organic so hot, and why are so many consumers turning away from traditional packaged goods foods and turning to a seemingly healthier option -- healthier not only to them, but to the environment? One place to look is at part of an official definition of "organic" that the National Organic Standards Board adopted in 1995: "Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

"If all consumers knew that 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides are considered carcinogenic by the EPA, most would probably think twice when they made their next food purchase decisions. Or at least they'd run their lettuce and bread through the washing machine before they served it," joked Lorimer. "I've seen newspaper articles denying the health and environmental benefits of organic farming and organic product consumption, but the fact is there are thousands and thousands of pesticides registered for use in this country -- a third of the world market."

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Are you worried about someone in your life who's seriously overweight? Are you afraid that your friend or loved one will eventually suffer from heart disease, diabetes or another killer disease? Your fears are justified. Extremely obese people are ten times more likely to die prematurely than normal-weight people are.

You CAN, however, help your obese friend lose weight by taking positive action. Here's how:

* Exercise WITH your friend. For example, sign up with her for a water aerobics class. This kind of exercise is easy and fun for obese people. If she is embarrassed to be seen in a swimsuit or exercise class, try to find a class for seniors or people with disabilities. If a class isn't feasible, offer to walk with her on a regular basis. Keep to her pace so she won't feel unable to keep up.

* Take a low fat cooking class together. You can learn together how to eat better. "Many people, obese and non-obese, do not understand how to create healthy, tasty, low fat meals," says Cathy Nonas, MS, RD nutritionist and Director of the Theodore B. VanItallie Center for Nutrition and Weight Management of St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. "It's especially important to eat plenty of vegetables for volume and nutrition."

* Go shopping with her in a plus-size store. Many fat people don't feel that they deserve to look good, or to spend money on flattering, quality clothes. "I spent my life waiting to lose weight so I could wear the size 12s in the back of my closet," says Erica Manfred, co-author of The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery; How to Make the Decision that Could Save Your Life. "Of course they gathered dust while I wore the same pair of size 24 jeans until they fell apart. When I treated myself to a new outfit that fit, I was less likely to overeat because the clothes made me feel so good about myself."

* Be aware of your friend's physical limitations. Avoid restaurants with booths she can't fit in, or events where she won't be able to participate or might feel embarrassed, like hikes or swim parties.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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Another allergy season is upon us, and an estimated 50 million to 60 million Americans are or soon will be suffering from upper respiratory symptoms -- itchy eyes, runny noses and sneezing -- caused by allergic reactions to airborne pollens.

Most allergy sufferers use one or a combination of three recommended approaches to control their symptoms: taking medications, being immunized and/or avoiding the offending allergens.

While effective, the costs associated with taking medication, whether prescribed, over the counter or immunization (allergy injection therapy), are astounding. According to the AAFA, Americans spend more than $4.5 billion on yearly medical care for seasonal allergies, attending approximately 8.4 million physician visits each year. The organization reports the cost of allergy-triggered physician services alone totals $225 annually.

With airborne pollens, avoiding "offending allergens" sometimes is easier said than done. After all, it's not practical during peak allergy seasons to live sealed indoors. Yet physicians commonly advise patients to not invite outside airborne pollens into their living environment by closing windows and doors and spending as much time as possible within a well air-conditioned home or building.

However, closing windows may provide a deceptive sense of security for some allergy sufferers. Many windows and doors do not provide a tight barrier, allowing microscopic airborne pollens to flow freely indoors. Older homes are especially susceptible to structural air leaks around windows and doors, not only due to normal aging but because the windows and doors were produced using outdated design and construction techniques when industry standards were less stringent.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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On an average day, more than 1 million Americans visit tanning salons. Many of those people are high school and college students who want to get a base tan before heading to the beach or the pool.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says chronic sun exposure eventually causes signs of premature aging -- including wrinkles, sagging cheeks and skin discoloration. In other words, says AAP president Louis Z. Cooper, MD, FAAP, "All that effort put into looking 'good' now will probably leave high school and college students looking a lot worse in the future."

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Dear Flabby, When I lost 50 lbs last year I signed up for boxercise but after 3 classes nothing happened. I'm lighter but no toning. When's things going to start to tighten? Barb T. Brampton, MO

Dear Barb,

Patience my friend. First, congratulate yourself for the weight loss, but that's the easy part. Now you must keep it off and chase the holy grail, harden up, this is your new task. Boxercise is great, keep pushing it at least 2 times a week and augment it with light weights and some easy running.

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