H1N1 vaccine...Teach yourself fullness...Join "vitality project"

In the news today:

(1) Novartis AG has used cell technology, rather than traditional egg technology, to produce the first batch of H1N1 vaccine. The company will probably be able to have the vaccine ready for sale after September. The first batch will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing, and is currently being considered for clinical trials. Currently Novartis has an order from HHS for $289 million dollars worth of vaccine.

(2) Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Progtram, at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center, has released a new book which suggests that weight loss is not about will power or priorities-it's about your body, brains and hormones. His assertion that you need to "teach your belly to be full" is not new, nutritionists and dieticians for years have been extolling the notion that you need to have certain daily habits, in place, without fluctuation, to support long term weight loss. His tips include:

• Eat a protein based breakfast daily (stimulates metabolism/prevents major blood sugar fluctuations


• Eat a salad before each meal (watch the dressing)


• Exercise in the am to stimulate your metabolic rate AND to "get it done"


• Watch less TV


• Get adequate sleep or look at sleep and certain medications as a possible contributor to your weight issues

My book, Fat Families Thin Families, offers those same recommendations but I also strongly asert that you need to create a home "team" environment that offers mostly healthy foods, acknowledges portion control, AND that asks everyone to climb on the "healthy habit train" whether or not you need to lose weight. Good health patterns are not soley about weight.

The Vitality Project is coming to Albert Lea, Minnesota, care of a collaberation between AARP and author/producer Dan Buettner. It's goal is to take the habits of communities around the world who seem to live "long and healthy lives" and bring them to the American obesity scene. The Minnesota community is "teaming up" (just like my book suggests), as a super-large family, to change lots of habits and environmental flaws in the community. Kids now walk to school as "virtual buses," accompanied by seniors and parents, schools are emphasizing nutrition, truck stop restaurants are offering healthier, portion controlled fare, and the general approach is to walk more, eat more fruits and vegetables and stay productive/enjoy life.