“Is it too Late to get in Shape?” plus [ Feb 2009 Food Diary + Workout Schedule]

Help I am 45 and I really want to workout and get in great shape.

Is it too late?
Join me on my quest for health and fitness.
I went to the  “The Yorkville Club” on Jan 27th for a fitness assessment.  I just posted the results here as embarrassing as that is.  I hope to show a [...]

Crab Cakes Are an All-American, Unexpected Appetizer

Since your guests are anticipating an array of grilled and classic appetizers that scream Fourth of July, this weekend, why not do something different? Surprise them with a platter of mini crab cakes! They’re a luxurious appetizer and all-American favorite. While I’ve never met a crab cake I didn’t like, when I make them at home, I prefer to use a traditional Maryland-style recipe.

Taste Test: McDonald’s Angus Third Pounders

Back in April, McDonald’s announced plans to add a premium Angus burger to its fast-food lineup. The burger, priced at $3.99, would compete with other higher-end fast-food burgers such as Carl’s Jr.’s Six Dollar Burger and Burger King’s XT burger, and was scheduled to roll out nationwide by August. Well, July’s barely begun, but yesterday the chain’s Angus Third Pounders hit menus across the country. The burgers, which weigh at least a third of a pound, or 5.33 ounces, before they’re cooked, come in a trio of styles, all on a sesame seed bun: Deluxe, with tomato, lettuce, mustard, mayonnaise, red onions, dill pickles, and American cheese; Bacon & Cheese, with ketchup, mustard, red onions, dill pickles, American cheese, and three slices of bacon; and Mushroom & Swiss, with mayonnaise, sautéed mushrooms, and swiss cheese. See more pictures - and the results of our office taste test - when you keep reading

Do You Care Whether or Not Your City Has Fireworks?

Fireworks displays on the Fourth of July aren’t a given anymore. Officials in several cities have canceled this year’s shows , reasoning they can’t justify the cost while government-funded services and jobs are being cut. Does it matter to you whether or not your Fourth includes a colorful fireworks display? Do You Care Whether or Not Your City Has Fireworks? Yes, I care. July 4th wouldn’t be the same without fireworks! No, I don’t care about fireworks displays.

Do Tell: How Do You Respond to Sexist Jokes?

Over the years, I’ve gone from being the woman who uneasily laughs when a man tells a sexist joke to being the person who rolls her eyes and says, “You know, I don’t find that funny, and it makes me pretty uncomfortable.” At the risk of being called a “humorless feminist” (I mean, if it were funny, I would laugh!), I think it’s important for women to be honest if a joke makes them uneasy.

BBQ Condiments and Fixings Quiz

When I go to a barbecue, I rarely eat a hamburger without cheese, or a hot dog without ketchup.

Vamped Up: Why Vampire Stories Never Get Old

Every few decades vampires crawl out of their coffins and into the blood of the mainstream. Fantasy, romanticism, and the supernatural are the obvious escapes we take during extraordinary times, but vampires aren’t ordinary immortals. Vampire tales were first written when sex could not be openly discussed so they came complete with metaphors. Because they deal with the eternal issues of sex, mortality, and exclusion, every generation can retell the stories and infuse them with contemporary politics, culture, and issues of equality.

Where to Find Fourth of July Discounts

This Fourth of July, stores are going beyond free shipping and offering attractive discounts for shoppers looking to score deals on Summer goods. Whether you need a new pair of sneaks for working on your bikini body, vino for leisurely Summer nights, a camera for marking the season’s memories, or an outdoor umbrella for barbecuing in the heat, there’s a discount for all of those things and more. View Slideshow ›

10 Things to Enjoy When It’s Hot Outside

It can’t be Independence Day weekend without warm weather and strong rays of sunshine. My suggestions for when the mercury rises? Keep close to a pool, seek refuge by the air conditioner, and avoid turning on that oven at all costs. But most importantly, remember that icy cocktails, light meals, and frosty desserts are the best remedy for sizzling Summer days. For my favorite ideas, keep reading. View Slideshow ›

TrèsTrivia: Are You in the Know?

This week we clued you in on all our must reads for July . But we also covered a whole range of other news stories! Find out if you were paying attention to the all the smart, sexy, and fun headlines from the week! Take the quiz

Fireworks and Your Delicate Ears

I’m ready to celebrate the Fourth of July, but must admit I am not a fan of the noise that accompanies fireworks - lovely as they may be. Those booming sounds can really damage the delicate structures in your ears; once they’re damaged, they never regenerate and can’t be repaired. This condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The loss is permanent and may cause impaired hearing or total loss of hearing down the road.

Brandi Chastain and Her Bra: a Great Moment in Women’s Sports?

When the US women’s soccer team won the Word Cup in 1999, it was thanks to Brandi Chastain . She scored the winning goal on a penalty kick and promptly ripped off her shirt to celebrate. The moment has been nicknamed “the bra heard ’round the world.” The photos of her are infamous, and she became a household name, her moment in the spotlight eclipsing an amazing win for US women’s soccer. Her dark sports bra was part of the memorabilia installed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. But when the museum went bankrupt and all the sporting souvenirs placed in probate, Brandi’s bra was held for a ransom of $250, plus shipping. After many e-mails and phone calls, her bra is back in her hands to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her famous penalty kick win - an oddly sweet and sentimental tale. Her disrobing on the field, to me, was a consoling gesture. When my husband sees me wearing a sports bra with no shirt, he always calls me Brandi