The Fuming Fuji Says No to Cupcakes

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The Fuming Fuji is outraged at the marketing of toxic food, especially when it is aimed at the small fry. This week, the Fuming Fuji has decided to have a problem with cupcakes.

But, Fuming Fuji, you say, isn’t a miniature dessert now and then better than eating fast food all the time?

The Fuming Fuji says no!

The claim: For the love of all that is human, Fuji, a cupcake? A cupcake is a heartwarming treat in a sensible portion size. If you’re going to eat a dessert, this is the way to go!

The catch: A sensible portion compared to what? The Cheesecake Factory and its evil one-pound slice of cake? This does not make a cupcake smart. Yes, the Fuji grants that your cupcake is better than many things. A cake in a cup is, for example, much better than lard in a cup. But the Fuji must inform you that a little bit of bad compared to a lot of bad does not make the little bit of bad good. You are stunned.

The comeback: Huh? Look, no one is perfect, not even you, Fuji. Like I said, a cupcake is better than eating fast food all the time.

The conclusion: The Fuji cannot help you until you seek help for your disturbing obsession with this dessert in a cup. It is not even a real cup! But it is real sugar. I fume!

The catchphrase: Tiny tots need fruit, not fructose!

Disclaimer: Mark Sisson and the Worker Bees do not necessarily endorse the views of the Fuming Fuji. Also, we have no issue with cups.

Technorati Tags: children’s health, cupcakes

Posted By: Worker Bee

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‘Repositioning’ Is a Nice Way to Say Manipulation

Worker Bees’ Daily Bites:

Here’s your daily dose of clickativity from the world of health, Apples!

Puff Piece

We’re all over Food Processing’s report on Ye Ole Pizza Puff. Evidently, pizza puffers are desperate to find ways to reposition (translation: manipulate). So much so, they’re not relying on the old marketing standbys: lower fat, lower calories, reduced sodium. Trans fat? Nope. Not even.

Marketing always works better when there’s a story to buy into. Preferably older and…mythier.

Food marketers are no exception: pizza puffs are being repositioned as fulfilling the ancient Greco-Roman tradition of breaking bread. The Romans shared small treats to aid in digestion, stimulate the appetite, and share the much-desired warm fuzzies. Appetizers, basically. This is an age-old tradition that anyone can appreciate. What’s not to love about a small bite to ease digestion and get everyone in a cheerful mood?

The difference is that the Romans ate real food. They may have had vomitoriums, but they sure didn’t have deep fryers.

You’ll love the shameless discussion of how to convey a particular story to trigger a desired emotional response in consumers (ca-ching!). We particularly love this line:

“While these products are viewed as healthier than shelf-stable snack foods, their fat and sodium levels can be high. These ingredients are part of what makes the food taste good and increases their satiety. So the real challenge is how to create a ‘healthy halo.’ ”

Can our food processing foes rise to the occasion? Or will this challenge prove too difficult even for them?

Give Your Colon the Blues

Blueberries, that is. They’re excellent for your colon, and let’s face it, so much tastier than toast. Blueberries have practically illegal levels of fiber and antioxidants, and you can eat an entire one-pound bag for fewer calories than a bran muffin.

Check out our delicious blueberry breakfast recipe.

Reducing Stress: Not Just for Girls

WebMD has just published a nice piece advising women over 50 to reduce their stress. It’s a terrific little list, so there’s no reason everyone shouldn’t be trying these tips out. Get to it! Go on, shoo!

Yoga: it’s not just for hamsters anymore. Thanks to Seattle Roll on Flickr!

Web It Out:

Are you right- or left-eyed?

Posted By: Worker Bee

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…and a Pinch of Humor

Achieving great health is a lifelong journey. For me, great health means many things: having energy, being strong and fit, fostering healthy relationships, keeping my brain sharp, and eating nutritious, enjoyable food that helps me prevent major health problems. That’s my recipe, and given the fast-paced nature of life (and Mondays in particular) I think a little dose of humor rounds it out. Having a laugh is one of the best things you can do for your health.

A few gems for your Monday Moment:

“Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two but can’t remember what they are.” – Matt Lauer

“Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” – Fran Lebowitz

“I work so hard to stay in shape. Whenever I read anything, it says, ‘Consult your doctor before doing any exercise.’ It always says that. Does anybody do that? I kind of think my doctor has people coming in with serious problems. I don’t think I should be calling him and saying, ‘Hi, this is Rita, I’m thinking of bending at the waist.’ ” – Rita Rudner

“A contemporary comforted me with the observation that it’s nice, as one approaches 50, to discover what one wants to be when one grows up.” – George V. Higgins

“He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead.” – Voltaire

“Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” – Albert Schweitzer

And I couldn’t resist…

“Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.” – Redd Foxx

Posted By: Mark Sisson

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You Don’t Need Fixing!

This week’s challenge is all about appreciation. With all that is going on in the world and at home, it’s easy to become worried and anxious from time to time. That’s not healthy, but it is part of life!

This week, focus on appreciating what you do have. Even when life is difficult, there are things to be thankful for. Count what blessings you do have, and trust that more are just around the corner.

Something to think about: spending a few moments counting blessings is much easier than the exhausting “personal development” trend that is so popular of late. Improving yourself is a vital part of good health and a satisfying life, but the irony is that this prescription can become yet another stress-inducing measure on your personal fix-it list.

Instead, just take a few minutes at a given time every day this week to reflect on what you appreciate. It’s simple, but it works.

 Different Flickr Photo
appreciation, personal development

Technorati Tags: appreciation, personal development

Posted By: Mark Sisson

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Before You Head Out…

Worker Bees’ Daily Bites:

Have a blast this weekend, Apples! Enjoy the latest health news before you clock out. We’re out!

They Put What in Orange Juice?!?

The secret side of food production: don’t click unless you want the truth. Wise Bread does a terrific job covering this in-depth expose.

Another little-known factoid: most (repeat, most) of the meat used in fast food, snack foods, and frozen foods is scraped by machine off of carcasses and includes lovely things like vessels and spinal bits. Think twice before biting into that pepperoni pizza or beef burrito.

Bettybl Flickr Photo

Night Sweats

Ever wondered about them? Now you know.

Reduce Stress: Eat!

The always-hilarious and helpful Healthbolt has tips to eat your way to less stress.

The Most Dangerous Drug

We ban heroin, cocaine and even “Mary Jane”. Yet studies show it’s probably this drug that causes the most significant harm to humans.

Tim Porter Flickr Photo

Good News to Click Out

Here’s some encouraging global health news. Spout that at tonight’s dinner and just watch those jaws drop in wonderment. Or not.

Technorati tags: alcohol, health, food production secrets, tuberculosis, night sweats

Technorati Tags: alcohol, health, food production secrets, tuberculosis, night sweats

Posted By: Worker Bee

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